As a retail and consumer expert with over a decade of experience studying the beauty industry, I know firsthand just how coveted Ulta‘s selection of premium makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance products are for shoppers across the globe. Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in the United States, with annual revenue exceeding $7.4 billion in 2021. The company operates over 1,300 stores across all 50 US states and offers a top-notch ecommerce experience on Ulta.com, which stocks over 25,000 products from 500 established and emerging beauty brands.
Unfortunately for international beauty aficionados, Ulta does not currently offer direct shipping to Australia or any other countries outside of the US. This means that Australian customers are unable to simply place an order on Ulta.com and have it delivered to their doorstep. The lack of Ulta retail locations in Australia also makes it impossible for shoppers to browse the retailer‘s unparalleled product assortment in person.
But don‘t give up on your dreams of a full Ulta beauty haul just yet—as a savvy online shopping expert, I‘ve put together this comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about getting Ulta orders shipped to Australia. While it requires a few extra steps and fees, it‘s absolutely possible for Aussies to shop Ulta‘s vast selection of prestige and drugstore beauty products from top brands like Urban Decay, MAC, Clinique, Tarte, Estee Lauder, The Ordinary, and so many more. Keep reading for my insider tips and tricks!
Why Is Global Demand for Ulta Beauty Products Surging?
Before I get into the nitty gritty details of how to ship an Ulta order to Australia, I think it‘s important to understand the factors driving the massive international demand for the retailer‘s products. In recent years, the beauty industry has experienced a seismic shift towards online shopping, a trend that was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2022 report from Statista, the global cosmetics market is expected to grow from $287.94 billion in 2021 to $415.29 billion by 2028. Ecommerce will be a primary driver of this growth, with online sales projected to account for nearly 30% of total cosmetics revenue by 2028.
As the world‘s largest beauty retailer, Ulta has been at the forefront of the industry‘s digital transformation. The company‘s ecommerce sales skyrocketed by over 65% year-over-year in 2021, reaching $1.5 billion. Ulta‘s online growth has been fueled by its best-in-class loyalty program, Ultamate Rewards, which boasts over 37 million active members. The retailer‘s ability to seamlessly integrate its in-store and online shopping experiences through services like buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) and same-day delivery has also been a major differentiator.
Despite its strong domestic presence, Ulta has been slower to expand its international shipping capabilities compared to other major US beauty retailers. Sephora US, for example, ships to over 200 countries worldwide, while Nordstrom offers direct delivery to over 100 countries. As cross-border ecommerce continues to gain momentum, it‘s clear that Australian shoppers are eager for more convenient and affordable ways to purchase their favorite Ulta beauty brands.
The 3 Best Freight Forwarding Services for Shipping Ulta Orders to Australia
So, what‘s an Aussie beauty lover to do if they‘re desperate to get their hands on the latest products from Ulta Beauty? The most effective solution is to use a freight forwarding service. Freight forwarders provide international shoppers with a US shipping address which can be used to place orders from retailers that only ship domestically. Once your Ulta order arrives at the freight forwarder‘s US warehouse, they will then ship it directly to your home address in Australia for an additional fee.
After thoroughly evaluating the pricing, speeds, and customer reviews of the top freight forwarders for Australian shoppers, here are my top three recommendations:
1. Shipito
With over 15 years of experience, Shipito is one of the longest-running and most reputable freight forwarding services for Australian customers. The company has multiple US warehouses, including sales tax-free locations in Oregon and Nevada. Shipito offers a variety of affordable shipping options to Australia, with prices starting at just $4 USD for packages weighing under 1 lb. Delivery times range from 2-8 business days depending on the shipping speed you select.
One of the biggest advantages of Shipito is its user-friendly website and mobile app, which make it easy to track your orders and manage your shipments on the go. The company also offers free package consolidation, allowing you to combine multiple US orders into a single shipment to save on international shipping costs. Shipito charges a flat $2 USD fee per package received, plus additional costs for optional services like package photos and insurance.
2. MyUS
MyUS is another top-rated freight forwarder for shipping Ulta orders to Australia. The company has a sprawling warehouse located in sales tax-free Florida, which is great news for beauty shoppers—cosmetics are notorious for coming with hefty sales tax rates! MyUS offers several DHL and FedEx shipping options to Australia, with delivery times ranging from 2-10 business days. Shipping rates start at about $25 USD for packages weighing up to half a pound.
One unique perk of MyUS is its premium membership program, which includes benefits like discounted shipping rates, free package consolidation, and access to a personal shopping team. The service costs $7 USD per month, but can easily pay for itself if you‘re a frequent international shopper. MyUS also offers a free 30-day trial for new customers looking to test out the service.
3. Stackry
If quick delivery is your top priority, look no further than Stackry. The company has multiple US warehouses to ensure speedy processing times, including a facility in sales tax-free New Hampshire. Stackry consistently earns rave reviews for its lightning-fast shipping speeds to Australia, with many customers reporting receiving their packages in as little as 2-4 business days.
Stackry‘s shipping calculator shows that rates to Australia start at around $30 USD for packages weighing under 1 lb. The company charges a flat $2 USD fee per package, which includes 45 days of free storage and a complimentary photo of your items. Stackry also offers the unique ability to transfer shipments between its US warehouses for no extra charge, making it easy to take advantage of the best shipping rates and speeds.
Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping Ulta Orders to Australia
Now that you know the best freight forwarders for getting Ulta products delivered down under, here‘s a detailed guide to placing your first order:
- Sign up for an account with your chosen freight forwarder. You‘ll need to provide your name, email address, and a valid Australian mailing address.
- Once your account is set up, you‘ll be assigned a unique US shipping address associated with the freight forwarder‘s warehouse. Copy this address—you‘ll need to enter it as the shipping destination at checkout when placing your Ulta order.
- Head to Ulta.com and shop til you drop! Add all the products you want to your cart, making sure to select shades and formulas that are available to ship right away. When you‘re ready to check out, paste your freight forwarder‘s US address in the shipping information section.
- Ulta offers free standard shipping on all US orders over $35 USD, so I recommend taking advantage of this perk by placing a larger order. The beauty retailer typically ships domestic orders within 1-3 business days.
- After your Ulta order is delivered to your freight forwarder‘s US warehouse, you‘ll receive a notification email with the final weight and dimensions of your package. At this point, you‘ll be able to select your preferred shipping method to Australia.
- Your freight forwarder will provide you with a complete price breakdown for shipping your Ulta order to Australia, including international shipping costs and any applicable duties and taxes. Australia has a de minimis threshold of $1,000 AUD, meaning any orders below this value are exempt from customs duties. However, you‘ll still be required to pay 10% GST on all online orders shipped to Australia, regardless of the total value.
- After you‘ve paid for international shipping, your freight forwarder will process your package and send you a final tracking number. Your Ulta order should arrive safe and sound to your doorstep in Australia within the specified delivery timeframe.
What to Know About Australia‘s Cosmetics Import Regulations
Before placing your Ulta order, it‘s important to familiarize yourself with Australia‘s strict regulations on importing cosmetics and other beauty products. The Australian Border Force prohibits or restricts a number of ingredients commonly found in cosmetics from entering the country, including:
- Anything derived from endangered species
- Biological materials like certain plant and animal products
- Items containing bovine or ovine ingredients
- Products with medicinal or drug claims
To minimize the risk of your Ulta order getting detained by customs, I suggest sticking to color cosmetics, haircare, skincare, and beauty tools rather than perfumes or products containing CBD. It‘s also a good idea to review the ingredient lists of any products you plan to order to check for any prohibited substances.
The Future of Ulta‘s International Shipping Strategy
As global demand for cross-border beauty shopping continues to skyrocket, it begs the question—will Ulta Beauty ever expand its international shipping capabilities? The retailer briefly offered direct shipping to Canada in 2016, but discontinued the service due to high costs and logistical challenges. In a 2021 interview with Beauty Independent, Ulta‘s Chief Digital Officer Prama Bhatt hinted that the company is exploring ways to make its products available to international customers, but didn‘t provide a specific timeline.
Industry analysts predict that it‘s only a matter of time before Ulta cracks the code on global ecommerce. "Retailers like Ulta are leaving money on the table by not offering direct international shipping to markets with high demand like Australia," said Kelly Goetsch, Chief Product Officer at ecommerce software provider commercetools. "As cross-border logistics become more streamlined and Australian consumers grow more comfortable with longer delivery times, we expect to see more US beauty retailers expand their international reach."
The Bottom Line
While getting Ulta Beauty products delivered to Australia requires a few extra steps and fees, I firmly believe it‘s worth the effort for access to the retailer‘s unrivaled selection of premium and affordable beauty brands. By using a trusted freight forwarding service like Shipito, MyUS, or Stackry, you can unlock thousands of Ulta products that would otherwise be off-limits to Australian shoppers.
Until Ulta introduces an official international shipping solution, I recommend taking advantage of freight forwarding to treat yourself to the best in prestige and drugstore beauty without having to leave the country. And if you‘re not up for the extra legwork, remember that you can always shop directly from the dozens of Ulta-stocked brands that deliver to Australia, including MAC, Clinique, Estee Lauder, IT Cosmetics, and so many more. Happy hauling!
