Chinese demand for Australian food has left an AUD1bn tax hole as deals are conducted using offshore bank accounts . Chinese agents known as ' [UNK] ' act as middlemen , buying highly - sought after foods in Australian markets which they ship home and sell for a tidy profit . They work on behalf of increasingly welfare - conscious middle classes who have seen a decline in their disposable incomes . Baby food , dairy , organic produce and cosmetics are their desired goods , particularly those in Australian supermarkets which are viewed as top quality and easy to obtain . The daigou do not declare these purchases to the Australian Tax Office .
Chinese demand for Australian food has left an AUD1bn tax hole as deals are conducted using offshore bank accounts. Chinese agents known as 'daigou' act as middlemen, buying highly-sought after foods in Australian supermarkets which they ship home and sell for a tidy profit. They buy on behalf of increasingly health-conscious middle classes who have seen a rise in their disposable incomes. Baby food, dairy, organic produce and cosmetics are their desired goods, particularly those in Australian supermarkets which are viewed as top quality and easy to obtain. The daigou do not declare these purchases to the Australian Tax Office.