According to a federal proposal, online shoppers may pay an extra $7 per package tax on products purchased from abroad.
The Home Office is also considering whether to impose a new tax on every parcel imported into Australia to help pay for goods being inspected at the border.
Packages worth more than 1000 yuan are now taxed, but the government's plan is that consumers will have to pay extra for all overseas shopping orders.
Australia-Guangzhou (ABC) learned that the government was considering a $2-7 tax on each package.
In the previous fiscal year, nearly 40 million "small" imported parcels entered Australia-almost two per capita.
A discussion paper on proposed taxes argues that taxes are intended to cover costs associated with biosafety protection, goods and trade border activities.
"existing cost recovery mechanisms are no longer sustainable enough to support Australia's future trading environment," it said.
Lib Democrat Senator David Lyonhelm (David Leyonhjelm) says the tax is unnecessary.
"this government always seems to be unscrupulously introducing new taxes and increasing existing ones," he said.
"I'm disappointed to think of how much money we have left in our own pockets because our taxes are so high."
Main points:
- Currently, parcels worth more than $1000 are taxed, but the scheme will apply to all overseas purchases;
- The Government is considering an additional tax of $2 to $7 per package;
- The government said the move would help make up for the cost of customs inspection of commodities