Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia's demand for imports is expected to grow by almost 60% in real terms between 2021 and 2035, according to DBT's Global Trade Outlook from February 2023. This makes it an attractive prospect for businesses looking to sell overseas. However, there are a number of rules and regulations that must be followed when importing goods into Australia. These include providing import declarations and documents, paying all relevant duties and taxes, and complying with biosecurity requirements and labelling laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Import permits | Required for certain goods, such as food products, and can be obtained through the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) |
| Quarantine regulations | Plant, mineral, animal, or human products may need to be quarantined, inspected, and treated for pests or diseases |
| Biosecurity conditions | Must be met to prevent pests and diseases from entering Australia |
| Labelling requirements | Must include trade descriptions, country of origin, and food information in English; false or misleading claims about origin are prohibited |
| Registration | Required for goods containing industrial chemicals with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) |
| Costs | Transport, insurance, storage, handling charges, duties, taxes, and freight may apply; a licensed customs broker can help navigate these costs |
| Prohibited goods | Certain goods are prohibited from importation into Australia, including those that pose a biosecurity risk or are banned for product safety reasons, such as products containing asbestos |
| Free Trade Agreements | The UK-Australia FTA removes tariffs on UK goods, increasing opportunities for exporters |
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What You'll Learn
Biosecurity requirements
Australia has strict biosecurity requirements for imported goods to prevent pests, diseases, and weeds from entering the country and damaging its agricultural industries, export markets, and environment. Certain food, plant material, and animal items from overseas could introduce these biosecurity risks, so it is important to check if the goods you want to import are banned in Australia.
The Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) provides information on whether your goods can be imported into Australia. Some goods that are prohibited from being imported into Australia include certain plant, animal, or biological products. Additionally, any products containing asbestos are banned for product safety reasons.
If you are importing industrial chemicals or products containing industrial chemicals (such as soap, cosmetics, paint, glue, printing ink, and cleaning products) for commercial purposes, you must register your business with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS). You must also ensure that your goods meet any biosecurity conditions to prevent pests and diseases from entering Australia. All imports are subject to a 10% Goods and Services Tax, and fuel, tobacco, and alcohol are subject to excise equivalent duty.
It is important to be aware of labelling requirements for imported goods, such as trade descriptions, country of origin, and food information. Certain imported goods must have a trade description, a true description of the English goods, and some food products must show information about the country of origin. If you use country-of-origin labelling, you must not make false or misleading claims about the place of origin of the goods.
Before importing goods to Australia, it is recommended to plan ahead and be ready for inspections, treatments, or quarantine periods. A licensed customs broker can help guide you through the requirements and reduce the risk that your goods will be stopped at the border.
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Labelling requirements
When importing and selling goods in Australia, it is important to understand the labelling requirements to ensure your products comply with the relevant regulations. Here is an overview of the key labelling requirements for different types of products:
Food Products
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code outlines specific labelling requirements for packaged food products. All packaged food must include nutritional information, such as the amount of fat, protein, energy, carbohydrates, and salt in the product. Labels must also display the percentage of key ingredients and list all main ingredients that may cause allergies. Additionally, some food products must provide information about the country of origin. It is important to ensure that any country of origin labelling is accurate and does not make false or misleading claims.
Clothing and Textiles
Clothing importers must comply with the Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010, which sets mandatory requirements for care labelling. Care labels should be permanently sewn into the clothing and provide information such as the size, material composition, and care instructions. There are specific standards for size coding schemes for women's, men's, and children's clothing.
Electronics
Electrical and electronic equipment imported into Australia must bear the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). The RCM indicates that the product is safe for the Australian market. Importers should refer to Standard AS/NZS 4417 for detailed labelling requirements for electrical equipment. If it is not possible to apply the label directly to the product, the label should be displayed on the product packaging and documents.
Children's Products
Children's products in Australia are subject to mandatory safety standards, which include regulations for labelling and packaging. Toys intended for children up to and including 36 months of age must comply with the voluntary standard AS/NZS TR 8124.8:2016. This standard requires certain toy products with potential hazards, such as sharp points or small parts, to carry warning labels and suggestive information.
General Labelling Requirements
Regardless of the product type, there are some general labelling requirements that apply when importing goods into Australia. The Australia Border Force requires certain information to be included on labels, such as product description, manufacturer information, and packaging details. It is important to understand biosecurity requirements and prohibited goods to ensure your products do not pose a risk to Australia's unique environment. Additionally, some goods may be subject to duties, taxes, and handling charges, so it is advisable to engage a licensed customs broker to guide you through the process.
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Import costs
When importing goods to Australia, there are several costs that importers must be aware of to ensure smooth clearance at the border. These costs can be broadly categorized into transport and logistics, taxes and duties, and registration and licensing.
Transport and logistics costs include charges for shipping the goods to Australia, insurance, storage, and other handling charges levied by the logistics provider. These costs may need to be paid before the goods arrive at the Australian border or upon arrival. It is important to engage a licensed customs broker who can help you understand these costs and navigate the import process.
Taxes and duties are levied on imports depending on the type and value of the goods. All imports are subject to a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Additionally, certain goods like fuel, tobacco, and alcohol incur an excise equivalent duty, which is equivalent to the excise tax rates applied by the Australian Taxation Office. The importer is responsible for applicable GST payments, even if they are a business importing for commercial use within Australia. Customs duty rates vary based on the type of goods and country of origin, with certain free trade agreements in place that allow for duty-free imports, such as the AUSFTA, which enables 99% of U.S.-origin goods to enter Australia duty-free.
In some cases, special duties like dumping and countervailing duties may apply, which can cost more than the value of the goods themselves. It is important to note that certain goods may be prohibited from import into Australia due to biosecurity risks, product safety, or other regulations. These include certain plant, animal, and biological products, as well as products containing asbestos. Industrial chemicals and products containing them, such as soap, cosmetics, paint, glue, printing ink, and cleaning products, require registration with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) for commercial importation.
Finally, registration and licensing costs may apply depending on the type of goods being imported and the origin of the goods. For example, a U.S. exporter must register for GST if their sales of low-value goods imported into Australia by consumers exceed AU$75,000 in a 12-month period. Understanding these costs and applicable regulations is crucial for successfully importing goods into Australia and ensuring compliance with the country's import framework.
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Import permits
When importing goods into Australia, there are several costs, regulations, and permits to be aware of. The Australian Government controls what can and cannot be imported into the country, and there are certain goods that are prohibited from being imported, such as drugs and narcotics, cultural heritage goods, biological agents, and certain plant, animal, or biological products.
Some goods are only permitted to be imported into Australia upon the granting of an import permit from the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system. An import permit must be granted before the goods arrive in Australia, and the importer must ensure that the permit is applied for well in advance. There are standard permit conditions published to help streamline the permit application process, and you can apply for a standard permit if you can meet all of the import conditions. The BICON system will indicate whether an import permit is required for your import scenario and provide a link to apply for the permit if one is needed.
There are also costs to be aware of when importing goods into Australia. Depending on the type and value of the goods, you may have to pay transport costs, insurance, storage charges, and other handling charges levied by the logistics provider. A licensed customs broker can help you understand the possible costs. You must pay all applicable duties before your goods can be released at the border. In addition to tariff duties, you may have to pay dumping and countervailing duties for some goods. All imports are subject to a 10% Goods and Services Tax, and fuel, tobacco, and alcohol are subject to excise equivalent duty.
It is important to understand the biosecurity requirements and your responsibilities for importing goods into Australia. Food, plant material, and animal items from overseas could introduce serious pests and diseases into Australia, so these goods may need to be quarantined, inspected, and treated by the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment. You should also be aware of labelling requirements for imported goods, such as trade descriptions, country of origin, and food information.
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UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement
The Australia–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) was signed on 17 December 2021 and came into force on 31 May 2023. The agreement is expected to grow the British economy by £500 million over 15 years, equivalent to a 0.02% increase in GDP. It is the first trade agreement signed by the UK that was negotiated completely anew since leaving the European Union.
The A-UKFTA has eliminated tariffs on over 99% of Australian goods exports to the UK. It has also created new export opportunities for Australian services companies and professionals, supporting the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and providing greater certainty for skilled professionals entering the UK labour market. The agreement has also resulted in increased visa opportunities for young people in both countries. British citizens under 35 can now obtain working holiday visas for three years, and Australian employers do not need to demonstrate economic necessity to hire them. Similarly, the Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP) is an outcome of the FTA, providing a new opportunity for UK citizens in the early stages of their careers or who have contributed to innovation to live and work in Australia.
However, the agreement has faced some criticism. The National Farmers' Union expressed concern about the possibility of Australian exporters flooding the British market and driving down prices. Food-safety groups were also alarmed that the agreement does not require Australian produce to comply with stricter British standards. In addition, there were concerns about the lack of protections for geographical indicators on foods such as Cornish clotted cream.
Before importing goods into Australia, it is important to understand the associated costs and any biosecurity conditions that must be met. All imports are subject to a 10% Goods and Services Tax, and certain goods, such as fuel, tobacco, and alcohol, are subject to additional duties. Some goods are prohibited from being imported into Australia due to biosecurity risks or product safety concerns. It is recommended to consult a licensed customs broker to guide you through the requirements and help with importing goods.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Border Force regulates all goods imported into Australia. You need to provide import declarations and documents, and pay all relevant duties and taxes. All imports are subject to a 10% Goods and Services Tax.
Depending on the type and value of the goods, you may have to pay transport costs, insurance, storage charges, and other handling charges levied by the logistics provider.
Certain food, plant, animal, and human products are prohibited from being imported into Australia as they pose a biosecurity risk. This includes products containing asbestos.
You must label certain imported goods with a required trade description in English. Food products must show information about the country of origin.
The FTA will remove tariffs on all UK goods, making it easier for UK businesses to sell to Australia. This will make it cheaper to sell UK products like cars, Scotch whisky, and UK fashion to Australia.
