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importing.com.au

6 min read · Updated October 2026

Illustration for the guide: Importing Clothing, Textiles & Footwear

Key takeaways

  • Most apparel is 0% duty under FTAs — claim it, or pay the 5% general rate unnecessarily.
  • Care labels (AS/NZS 1957), fibre content and origin marking must be sewn in during production.
  • Children's nightwear has a mandatory flammability standard with fire-danger labels.

Importing Clothing, Textiles & Footwear

Apparel is one of Australia's biggest import categories and one of the friendliest for new importers — no biosecurity drama for finished garments, and clear (if specific) labelling rules. The two things to get right: duty/classification and labelling.

Duty & GST

  • Textiles, clothing and footwear sit in tariff chapters that historically carry the 5% general rate — check your exact HS code in the Working Tariff (see the HS codes guide).
  • Many apparel lines are 0% under FTAs — ChAFTA (China), AANZFTA (Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand), CPTPP and RCEP cover the main sourcing countries. Claim with a Certificate of Origin; see the FTA guide.
  • GST is 10% of VoTI regardless of duty rate.

Mandatory labelling for clothing

Requirement Detail
Care labelling (AS/NZS 1957) Washing, drying, ironing, dry-cleaning instructions in the prescribed symbols/terms
Country of origin Clearly marked on the garment or packaging
Fibre content Accurate fibre composition labelling
Australian responsible entity Importer/distributor details on packaging

Labels must be in English and attached before retail sale. Brief your supplier to sew in compliant care labels during production — relabelling 5,000 garments post-arrival kills margins.

Safety standards that bite

  • Children's nightwear — mandatory flammability standard (AS/NZS 1249) with fire-danger labels by category.
  • Button batteries in light-up shoes or novelty clothing — mandatory secure-compartment and warning rules.
  • Drawstrings on children's clothing — cord safety requirements.
  • Sunglasses and fashion eyewear — mandatory UV standard (AS/NZS 1067) with category labelling.

Non-compliance means recalls, fines and ACCC bans — border clearance is not safety approval.

Practical sourcing notes

  • Order pre-production samples and verify measurements, colours and labels against Australian requirements.
  • Consolidate suppliers into FCL or LCL sea freight for cost; air for fast-fashion restocks.
  • Watch BMSB seasonal measures if shipping on pallets/packaging from target risk countries September–April.
  • Used/second-hand clothing imports face extra scrutiny — clean condition and documentation matter; some categories need treatment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the duty rate on clothing imported into Australia?

Apparel tariff lines commonly carry the 5% general rate, but most are 0% under FTAs covering the main sourcing countries (China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh-adjacent ASEAN states). Claim the preference with a Certificate of Origin, and remember GST of 10% on VoTI applies regardless.

What labels do imported clothes need in Australia?

Care labelling to AS/NZS 1957, fibre content, country of origin marking, and the Australian importer/distributor's details — in English, attached before retail sale. Children's nightwear also carries mandatory fire-danger labels under the flammability standard.

Are there special rules for children's clothing?

Yes — children's nightwear must meet the flammability standard (AS/NZS 1249) with category labels, drawstrings and cords have safety requirements, and any product with button batteries must meet the mandatory secure-compartment and warning rules.