Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about how we work, our fragrances, decants, shipping, and returns.
Authenticity & Packaging
Are your fragrances 100% authentic?
Yes, every fragrance we sell is 100% authentic. We are a parallel importer, which means we source our inventory directly from trusted, authorized wholesale distributors in overseas markets rather than through the local Australian distributor. By cutting out the local middlemen and operating as an online-only dispatch facility, we pass those massive savings directly to you. We have successfully delivered over 1,000 genuine fragrances to satisfied customers across Australia.
Why does my box look slightly different or lack cellophane?
Because we source from various global markets, you may notice minor packaging differences compared to local retail versions. For example, some European brands do not wrap their boxes in cellophane for environmental reasons, and some boxes may feature distributor stickers (such as Arabic text) required by their original intended market. These are normal for parallel imports and do not affect the authenticity of the fragrance inside.
How does your concierge model work?
We’re not a traditional retailer with shelves full of stock. We’re your personal fragrance concierge — sourcing authentic niche and designer scents that are genuinely hard to find in Australia. Every bottle is tracked down through our global network, verified for authenticity, and delivered to your door. This means some orders take a little longer — but it also means access to limited editions, discontinued gems, and international exclusives that never make it to Australian department stores.
What’s the difference between EDP, EDT, and Extrait?
EDT (Eau de Toilette): 5-15% fragrance oil — lighter, brighter, perfect for daytime and warmer weather.
EDP (Eau de Parfum): 15-20% fragrance oil — richer, longer-lasting, the sweet spot for most people.
Extrait/Parfum: 20-40% fragrance oil — the most concentrated, intimate, and expensive. Best for special occasions.
EDP (Eau de Parfum): 15-20% fragrance oil — richer, longer-lasting, the sweet spot for most people.
Extrait/Parfum: 20-40% fragrance oil — the most concentrated, intimate, and expensive. Best for special occasions.
Decants
What is a decant?
A decant is a small sample taken from a full, brand-new bottle — professionally transferred into a labelled spray vial. It’s how you try before you buy. Start with 2ml for a few wears, then go bigger once you know you love it.
Are your decants from authentic bottles?
Yes. Every decant comes from a sealed, authentic bottle from our inventory — the same bottles we sell full-sized. The scent you sample is exactly what you’d get if you bought the bottle.
What decant sizes do you offer?
2ml (about 20-30 sprays), 5ml (about 50-60 sprays), and 10ml (about 100-120 sprays). We recommend starting with 2ml to test, then ordering larger sizes once you’ve found your scent.
Will decants leak in transit?
Our decant bottles are sealed and individually padded. We’ve shipped thousands of decants without any leakage issues.
Scent Variations & Performance
I just opened my new bottle, but it smells different than my old sample. Is it defective?
No, your bottle is not defective! What you are experiencing is a natural, documented chemical process known as maturation (or maceration). When you spray a fragrance, oxygen enters the bottle. Over months of use, this oxygen causes the highly volatile alcohol to evaporate while the heavier base notes concentrate and deepen. A brand-new, factory-sealed bottle has not been exposed to oxygen, so it will naturally smell brighter, sharper, and "thinner" than an older bottle or a freshly poured decant sample. Give your new bottle a few weeks of use and oxygen exposure, and it will deepen to match the scent profile you are used to.
What is "Mail Shock" and why do I need to let my perfume rest?
Fragrances are delicate chemical compounds. During shipping, they are subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations and constant agitation, which can temporarily disrupt the scent profile — a phenomenon known as "mail shock." We strongly recommend storing your new bottle in a cool, dark place for 48 hours after delivery before spraying it to allow the formula to stabilize.
Shipping & Delivery
What are your shipping rates?
We offer a flat shipping rate of $8 on all orders Australia-wide. In-stock items ship from Sydney via Australia Post and typically arrive within 3-7 business days.
How long does delivery take?
For in-stock products: Typically 3-7 business days within Australia.
For Special-Order / VIP Concierge items: Standard international transit is approximately 3-4 weeks. However, because these are international cosmetic imports, there is a small chance your parcel may be held for routine random inspection by Australian Customs. If this occurs, clearance can take an additional 4 to 6 weeks (up to 9 weeks total). By purchasing a special-order item, you acknowledge this potential regulatory buffer.
For Special-Order / VIP Concierge items: Standard international transit is approximately 3-4 weeks. However, because these are international cosmetic imports, there is a small chance your parcel may be held for routine random inspection by Australian Customs. If this occurs, clearance can take an additional 4 to 6 weeks (up to 9 weeks total). By purchasing a special-order item, you acknowledge this potential regulatory buffer.
Do you ship internationally?
Currently we ship within Australia only. If you’re overseas and interested in a specific fragrance, get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.
What should I do if my package arrives damaged?
We pack every fragrance with extreme care, but we know rough transit can happen. If your external shipping box looks visibly crushed or wet upon delivery, we recommend snapping a quick photo or video before opening it. This helps us fast-track a replacement for you and allows us to file a claim with the courier immediately. Please email any photos of the damage to contact@aussiediscountfragrance.com.au with your order number, and we’ll sort it out.
How do I track my order?
Once your order ships, we’ll email you an Australia Post tracking number. You can track it at auspost.com.au/track.
Returns & Refunds
What is your return policy?
Please refer to our Returns & Refunds Policy page.
What if my item arrives damaged?
Contact us within 3 days of delivery at contact@aussiediscountfragrance.com.au with your order number and a photo of the damage. You’re protected under Australian Consumer Law.
Can I return a fragrance if I opened it and just don’t like how it smells?
Because fragrances are personal care items, we strictly do not accept returns for a change of mind, which includes subjective scent preferences or natural scent variations (like maturation). All sales are final. If our management team makes a rare, documented exception to accept an opened item, the bottle must be substantially full (only test sprays missing) and include absolutely all original packaging, inserts, and batch-coded boxes. Any items damaged in transit due to poor packing or missing original hardware will be rejected. Please review our full Returns & Refunds Policy for more details.
How long does a refund take?
Once we receive and inspect your return, refunds are processed within 3-5 business days back to your original payment method.
Payment
What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit and debit cards via Stripe — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and more. Payment is processed securely at checkout.
Is my payment secure?
Yes. All payments are processed through Stripe — a PCI-DSS Level 1 compliant payment processor. Your card details are encrypted and we never store them on our servers.
How do payments work for Special Orders?
When you place a Special Order for a rare or discontinued item, your credit card is temporarily authorized to reserve the funds, but it is not immediately charged. We will first email you to confirm the exact delivery timeframes and customs protocols. We only capture (charge) the payment once you reply to that email explicitly agreeing to the timeline. Because we instantly commit these funds to our overseas suppliers to lock in your rare bottle, special orders cannot be canceled once the payment is captured.
Fragrance Tips
How should I store my perfumes?
Cool, dark, dry — a bedroom drawer or closet shelf is ideal. Avoid bathrooms (humidity kills fragrance) and direct sunlight (heat breaks down the oils). Keep the cap on when not in use.
Why does a fragrance smell different on me vs. someone else?
Your skin’s pH, body temperature, diet, and even hormones affect how a fragrance develops. The same scent can smell floral on one person and woody on another. That’s exactly why decants exist — test it on your skin before committing to a full bottle.
How do I choose a fragrance?
Start with a decant. Think about when you’ll wear it — daytime or evening? Warm weather or cool? Light and fresh (citrus, green) or rich and warm (amber, vanilla, oud)? Already know what you like? Drop us a message with 2-3 scents you love and we’ll suggest something tailored to your taste.
Still have questions?
We actually read every message. Usually reply within 1 business day.