| Intro | Australia's average applied MFN tariff is under 3% - lower still under FTAs (CPTPP, ChAFTA, JAEPA, KAFTA, AUSFTA, RCEP, Australia-UK, Australia-India ECTA, Australia-EU under negotiation). Biosecurity is the dominant border cost - DAFF enforces the world's strictest agri-quarantine regime given Australia's pest-free status. |
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| Primary authorities | - Australian Border Force (ABF)Customs clearance & compliance.
- DAFF (Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry)Biosecurity, Import Conditions (BICON).
- DFATAutonomous & UN sanctions, FTAs.
- Defence Export Controls (DEC)Defence & Strategic Goods List (DSGL).
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| Licensing regimes | - ABN + customs broker registrationBusiness number required for import declaration. · ATO / ABF
- Biosecurity Import Permit (BICON)Specific commodities require pre-approval + treatment protocols. · DAFF
- Defence & Strategic Goods permitDSGL Parts 1 & 2 items. · Defence Export Controls
- TGA sponsor registrationMedicines, medical devices. · TGA
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| Prohibited goods | - · Fresh unmilled rice from most origins (biosecurity).
- · Uncanned meat from FMD/BSE countries.
- · Asbestos & asbestos-containing goods (Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956).
- · Certain firearms & weapons.
- · Ivory & CITES-listed species.
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| Restricted goods | - · Timber & wood packaging - ISPM 15 heat treatment mandatory; DAFF fumigation orders common.
- · Chemicals - AICIS (Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme) registration.
- · Cosmetics with therapeutic claims - TGA classification review.
- · Dairy/meat/seafood - DAFF permit + accredited establishment at origin.
- · Second-hand vehicles - narrow eligibility (SEVS scheme).
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| Labelling requirements | - · English-language labelling for food (Food Standards Code Standard 1.2), cosmetics.
- · Country of Origin Food Labelling (CoOL) - kangaroo bar chart on packaged food.
- · Australian/NZ Trade Practices Act on 'Made in' claims - substantial transformation test.
- · Energy Rating Label on covered appliances.
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| Sanctions overlay | - · Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 - Russia, Iran, DPRK, Myanmar, Syria, Zimbabwe, Belarus programmes.
- · UN Security Council measures under Charter of the UN Act 1945.
- · DFAT Consolidated List (individuals & entities).
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| Dispute resolution | Federal Court of Australia for customs and revenue matters; Administrative Appeals Tribunal for reviewable decisions. Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) - Sydney/Melbourne/Perth. NY Convention party since 1975. FTA state-to-state under respective FTA chapters (CPTPP Chapter 28); Australia excluded ISDS in some FTAs (e.g. AUSFTA, Australia-UK) but preserved in others. |
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| Official sources | |
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