After nearly nine years, we’re restarting the Beef Jerky Original blog — and honestly, there’s no better place to begin than with a topic that affects a lot of our customers: international orders and customs issues.

Over the years, Beef Jerky Original has grown from a local favourite into a brand with customers all over the world. We love that people overseas want our salty plums, jerky, lollies and novelty products — but the reality is, international shipping in 2025 is very different to what it was even a few years ago.

And that’s exactly why we want to talk openly about it.

Why international orders have become more complicated

Customs regulations are changing more frequently than ever. Different countries now apply stricter rules around food products, dried goods, confectionery, packaging, labelling and even ingredients that were previously accepted without issue.

What this means in real terms is:

• A product that clears customs today may be restricted tomorrow

• Rules differ wildly between countries

• Decisions are often made by local customs officers, not shipping companies or retailers

As a business, we don’t control these rules — but we do believe in being upfront about them.

What can happen with international orders

Most international orders arrive without any problems at all. However, there are cases where parcels are:

• Held by customs for inspection

• Refused entry

• Returned to sender

When this happens, it’s usually due to local import regulations, not anything wrong with the order itself.

Unfortunately, once a parcel has left Australia, shipping and customs fees have already been charged. This is why, if an international order is refused or returned, the postage component cannot be refunded. Any refund issued applies to the product value only.

We know that’s frustrating — and we don’t take it lightly — but it’s the reality of international shipping today.

Why we’re being clear about this now

Restarting the blog gives us a chance to communicate better, not just sell products.

We want customers to:

• Understand how international shipping really works

• Make informed decisions before ordering

• Avoid surprises or disappointment

That’s why we strongly encourage all international customers to check their country’s import rules and read our Shipping & Returns page before placing an order.

Being upfront helps everyone.

What this blog will cover going forward

This post is just the start.

Going forward, we’ll use the Beef Jerky Original blog to share:

• Shipping updates and international order changes

• New product releases and behind-the-scenes info

• Food import and customs insights

• Business updates and store news

• The occasional straight-up rant when things get ridiculous

We’ve been doing this a long time, and we’ve learned a lot — sometimes the hard way. This blog is where we’ll share that knowledge openly.

Final word to our international customers

We genuinely appreciate every international order. The fact that people around the world want our products means everything to us.

All we ask is that you take a moment to:

• Read the Shipping & Returns page

• Understand your local customs rules

• Know that if issues arise, we’ll always communicate honestly and fairly

Thanks for sticking with us — and welcome back to the Beef Jerky Original blog.