I'm being charged right now for small <100KG shipments.
$6 per KG for China to the UK via sea (fast sea ~30 days)
$16 per KG for China to the UK via air (5-10 working days)
$6 per KG UK to China for air (5-7 working days)
(all based on a 20KG box)
Looks like you guys down under are being shafted xD
Over 100KG is about $2-3 per KG via sea and rail/road.
I don't bother with air even from China for the >100KG as I can wait 30 more days for $300-500. That is a cheap Ski holiday!
As for who arranges the shipping.
It is always better for the Chinaman to charge you shipping than a charge to your shipping account AFAIK.
They get a much better price than what DHL, UPS or FEDEX will charge you. I have looked at it multiple times to reduce upfront costs but it always works out more expensive.
Back when I used them, DHL was charging me 2-3x the price the Chinaman was going to charge me.
The only time I will arrange shipping is if I am ordering enough to fill a 20' or 40' container.
A 20' can be had for $6000 USD from China to UK in the summer months. Add an extra $1000-2000 for port fees and you are looking at a min $0.33 per KG if you fill the thing