Updated October 2026 · Australian rules
Importing into Australia, explained in plain English
Duty, GST, biosecurity, prohibited goods, product compliance and freight — everything you need to clear Australian customs without surprises, backed by the official ABF, DAFF and ATO rules.
10%
GST on the value of taxable importation (VoTI)
AUD 1,000
Threshold below which most goods enter duty/GST-free
5%
General customs duty rate — many goods are 0% under FTAs
2 agencies
Every import is screened by both ABF and DAFF biosecurity
Which importer are you?
The rules that matter depend on how you're bringing goods in. Pick your path:
Personal online shopper
Buying from overseas stores? Under AUD 1,000 there is usually nothing to do at the border — GST is collected at checkout. Over AUD 1,000, you lodge an Import Declaration.
Parcel & post rulesTraveller bringing goods in
AUD 900 duty-free allowance for adults (AUD 450 under 18), 2.25 L alcohol and 25 g tobacco. Declare all food, plant and animal products on your Incoming Passenger Card.
Traveller allowancesSmall business / e-commerce
Get an ABN, check BICON and the prohibited list before ordering stock, model your landed cost, and sort ACCC labelling before you sell.
Start the step-by-step guideCommercial importer
ICS registration, licensed customs broker, GST deferral scheme, FTA and tariff concession planning — build a repeatable clearance process.
Declarations & clearanceThe complete import guides
Nine guides covering the entire importing journey, end to end.
Guide 00Getting Started: Importing into Australia
The complete end-to-end process for importing into Australia — permits, ABN, HS codes, duty & GST, declarations and biosecurity — with a first-timer checklist.
6 min read
Guide 01Duties, Taxes & GST on Imports
How much duty and GST you pay when importing into Australia: the 5% general rate, 10% GST on VoTI, the AUD 1,000 threshold, WET, LCT and GST deferral.
7 min read
Guide 02Import Declarations & Customs Clearance
SAC declarations for goods under AUD 1,000, full Import Declarations via the ICS, cargo reporting deadlines, and the charges payable at customs clearance.
5 min read
Guide 03Biosecurity & the BICON Database
Australia’s biosecurity rules for importers: how to search BICON, high-risk categories, required treatments and certificates, and BMSB seasonal measures.
6 min read
Guide 04Prohibited & Restricted Goods
What you can’t import into Australia: the ABF prohibited imports list, restricted goods needing permits, asbestos zero tolerance, and sanctions rules.
7 min read
Guide 05Product Compliance & Labelling
Selling imported goods legally in Australia: ACCC mandatory standards, country of origin labelling, RCM for electronics, FSANZ food rules, TGA and AICIS.
7 min read
Guide 06Freight, Incoterms & Customs Brokers
Sea vs air freight to Australia, Incoterms 2020 explained for importers (FOB, CIF, DDP), the landed cost model, and when to use a licensed customs broker.
6 min read
Guide 07Special Cases: Post, Vehicles, Alcohol, Moving
Importing parcels by post, traveller duty-free allowances, importing a car to Australia (RAV/ADRs), alcohol & tobacco rules, and unaccompanied personal effects.
6 min read
Guide 08Glossary of Import Terms
Every acronym and term you’ll meet when importing into Australia — ABF, BICON, SAC, VoTI, HS codes, Incoterms, RCM and more — in plain English.
4 min read
Guide 09Importing from China to Australia
The complete China–Australia import playbook: ChAFTA duty-free rules, sea vs air freight, supplier verification, product compliance and avoiding the common traps.
8 min read
Guide 10Free Trade Agreements & Certificates of Origin
Australia’s FTAs make most qualifying imports duty-free. Which agreements exist, how rules of origin work, and how to claim with a Certificate of Origin.
7 min read
Guide 11HS Codes & Tariff Classification
What HS codes are, how to find your Australian tariff classification, and why the code sets your duty rate, restrictions and FTA eligibility.
6 min read
Guide 12Importing Food & Beverages
How to import food into Australia: BICON biosecurity conditions, import permits, FSANZ labelling rules and the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
7 min read
Guide 13Importing Electronics & Electrical Goods
Electronics imports need the RCM mark, EESS registration for high-risk gear, ACMA radio certification and correct duty & GST handling.
7 min read
Guide 14Importing Clothing, Textiles & Footwear
Importing clothes into Australia: apparel duty rates, mandatory care labelling, children’s nightwear flammability rules and FTA duty savings.
6 min read
Guide 15Importing Furniture & Homewares
Furniture and homewares imports: DAFF timber and bark rules, ISPM 15 packaging, asbestos and lead/cadmium traps, toppling furniture standards, duty and GST.
6 min read
Guide 16Importing Cosmetics, Skincare & Supplements
When cosmetics and supplements need TGA ARTG listing vs simple AICIS cosmetic rules — and the labelling both regimes enforce.
7 min read
Guide 17Importing Alcohol & Wine
Commercial alcohol imports face excise-equivalent duty, 29% WET on wine, state liquor licences and strict labelling. How the taxes stack and what permits you need.
6 min read
Guide 18Importing Cars & Motor Vehicles
The full car import process: RAV entry, Australian Design Rules compliance, asbestos zero tolerance, BMSB treatment, and the real cost of duty, GST and LCT.
8 min read
Guide 19Importing for E-commerce & Amazon FBA
E-commerce importer playbook: per-SKU compliance screening, GST setup, labelling, restock freight strategy and Amazon FBA rules.
7 min read
Free importer tools
Landed cost & duty calculator
Model duty, GST on VoTI and total landed cost per unit — with FTA and GST-registration scenarios.
Import checklist generator
Answer three questions and get a personalised pre-shipment checklist for your shipment type.
Prohibited goods lookup
Search the prohibited and restricted categories before you buy — permits, regulators and penalties.
Who regulates what
Nine agencies touch an import. Here's the map — every guide links out to the right one.
| Agency | What it controls | Website |
|---|---|---|
| ABFAustralian Border Force | Customs clearance, duty/GST collection, prohibited goods, tariffs | www.abf.gov.au |
| DAFFDept of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry | Biosecurity/quarantine, BICON import conditions | www.agriculture.gov.au |
| ATOAustralian Taxation Office | GST registration, GST deferral scheme, BAS reporting | www.ato.gov.au |
| ACCCAustralian Competition & Consumer Commission | Mandatory product safety standards, recalls | www.productsafety.gov.au |
| FSANZFood Standards Australia New Zealand | Food standards and labelling (Food Standards Code) | www.foodstandards.gov.au |
| TGATherapeutic Goods Administration | Medicines, medical devices, therapeutic claims | www.tga.gov.au |
| AICISAustralian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme | Industrial chemicals introduction | www.industrialchemicals.gov.au |
| APVMAAustralian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority | Agricultural and veterinary chemicals | apvma.gov.au |
| ACMAAustralian Communications and Media Authority | Telecom/radiocomms devices (RCM) | www.acma.gov.au |
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay GST when importing goods into Australia?
Yes in most cases. GST of 10% applies to the Value of Taxable Importation (customs value + duty + international freight and insurance). Goods valued at AUD 1,000 or less are generally not taxed at the border — instead, overseas sellers and marketplaces collect GST at checkout under the Low Value Imported Goods rules. Alcohol and tobacco are always taxed.
What is the customs duty rate in Australia?
The general rate is 5% of the customs value (FOB price). Many goods are duty-free under the Customs Tariff, and most goods that qualify under a Free Trade Agreement enter at 0% with a valid Certificate of Origin. Rates depend on your HS tariff classification.
Do I need an import permit or licence to import into Australia?
There is no general import licence, but restricted goods (weapons, medicines, tobacco, wildlife products and more) require permits from the relevant regulator before the goods arrive. Biosecurity-controlled goods may also need a DAFF import permit under BICON conditions.
What is BICON and why does it matter?
BICON is the Department of Agriculture's database of biosecurity import conditions for over 20,000 commodities. It tells you whether your goods are permitted, what treatments and certificates are required, and whether an import permit is needed. Check it before shipping anything of biological origin.
What happens if my goods are over AUD 1,000?
A full Import Declaration must be lodged through the Integrated Cargo System (usually by a customs broker), and duty, GST and the import processing charge become payable before release. For postal items, Australia Post will send you a First Notice.
Can I import a car into Australia?
Yes, but it is tightly controlled under the Road Vehicle Standards scheme: the vehicle must be entered on the RAV, comply with Australian Design Rules, pass asbestos testing (zero tolerance), and pay duty, GST and possibly Luxury Car Tax. Budget for compliance work — it is rarely cheap.