Importing Into 🇦🇺 Australia
De Minimis Threshold
US$680
AUD $1,000
Shipments below this value may enter without customs duty. VAT may still apply depending on local rules.
Goods valued at AUD $1,000 or less are generally duty-free (customs duty relief). However, GST (10%) now applies to all low-value imported goods as of 1 July 2018 — overseas sellers/platforms must register to collect GST if their Australian revenue exceeds AUD $75,000.
As of: 2018-07-01
VAT / GST on Imports
10%
Applied on the customs value (CIF — cost, insurance, freight) plus any applicable duties.
Required Documentation
| # | Document |
|---|---|
| 01 | Incoming Passenger Card (for travelers) |
| 02 | Import Declaration (SAD — Self-Assessed Clearance for goods AUD $1,000–$10,000) |
| 03 | Full Import Declaration (for goods over AUD $10,000) |
| 04 | Commercial Invoice |
| 05 | Packing List |
| 06 | Airway Bill or Bill of Lading |
| 07 | Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) permits (as applicable) |
| 08 | Certificate of Origin (for FTA preference — AUSFTA, CPTPP, etc.) |
Requirements vary by shipment value, HS chapter, and origin country. Learn about each document type →
Restricted Import Categories
- ⚠Food (all food items must be declared; many require biosecurity permits)
- ⚠Plants and plant materials (must be declared; import conditions apply)
- ⚠Animals and animal products (biosecurity conditions apply)
- ⚠Certain medications and therapeutic goods (TGA approval required)
- ⚠Firearms and weapons (import licence required)
- ⚠Certain chemicals and hazardous substances
- ⚠Cultural and heritage items (permit may be required)
Prohibited Import Categories
- ✗Illicit drugs and psychotropic substances
- ✗Weapons (automatic/semi-automatic firearms, prohibited weapons)
- ✗Pornographic material involving minors
- ✗Products from endangered species without CITES permits
- ✗Steroids and human growth hormone without prescription
- ✗Certain biological agents and pathogens
- ✗Nazi propaganda and similar hate material
Special Notes
- 01Australia has extremely strict biosecurity laws — failure to declare food, plant, or animal products can result in large fines (up to AUD $420,000) or imprisonment.
- 02Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) must be completed by all arriving travelers.
- 03The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates medicine imports.
- 04Australian Customs Act 1901 and Biosecurity Act 2015 govern imports.
- 05Wood, straw, and certain packing materials must be declared.
- 06GST (10%) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) may apply to imports.
Documented Import Rules
Food Supplements (Commercial)
🇦🇺 Australia
TGA classification determines import requirements
Gold Jewellery
🇦🇺 Australia
Duty and GST above AUD 900 allowance
Textiles (Commercial)
🇦🇺 Australia
Personal clothing purchases duty-free under AUD 1,000
Cosmetics (Commercial)
🇦🇺 Australia
NICNAS/AICIS notification for new chemicals
Mobile Phones (Commercial)
🇦🇺 Australia
GST applies above AUD 1,000
Food Supplements (Commercial)
🇦🇺 Australia
TGA classification determines legality
Textiles (Commercial)
🇦🇺 Australia
Standard duties; labeling required
Toys (CE Marking)
🇦🇺 Australia
AS/NZS 8124 safety standards mandatory
Laptops
🇦🇺 Australia
Import duties and regulations apply for personal laptops
Estimate duties and VAT for a specific shipment into Australia.
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