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Australia Import & Export Toolkit

One of the world's largest resource exporters. Price shipments using our LC calculators (AUD ACT/365), duty + 10% GST landed cost, ICS HS classification and Incoterms 2020.

Currency
AUD (Australian Dollar)
GST
10%
Base = customs value + duty + insurance + freight (Value of Taxable Importation). Fully recoverable by GST-registered importers.
Duty regime
MFN tariff (mostly 0% or 5%). Preferential rates under CPTPP, RCEP, ChAFTA, JAEPA, KAFTA, AANZFTA, AUKFTA, A-UAE CEPA, IA-CEPA and AUSFTA.
Regulatory deep-dive
Australia import & export regulations →
Australia trade rules: ABF customs, DAFF biosecurity, DFAT autonomous sanctions, defence export controls, extensive FTA network incl. CPTPP, IEPA, AUKFTA.
Authorities · Licensing · Sanctions
Also see compare Australia vs other markets →

Free calculators for Australia trade

LC Cost Calculator →
All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.
Usance LC Interest →
Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.
Import Duty & Tax →
Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.
Landed Cost by HS & Country →
Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.
CIF ↔ FOB Converter →
Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.
HS Code Lookup →
Search harmonised classification codes.
CBM & Container →
Volume, weight and container utilisation.
Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →
Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.
Multi-Currency Invoice →
FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.
Major ports & gateways
  • · Port Botany (Sydney)
  • · Melbourne
  • · Brisbane
  • · Fremantle
  • · Adelaide
  • · Port Hedland (bulk)
  • · Dampier (bulk)
Top exports
  • · Iron ore
  • · Coal (metallurgical & thermal)
  • · LNG
  • · Gold
  • · Wheat & barley
  • · Beef & lamb
  • · Aluminium & alumina
  • · Copper ore
  • · Lithium concentrates
Top imports
  • · Refined petroleum & diesel
  • · Cars
  • · Machinery
  • · Broadcasting equipment & phones
  • · Pharmaceuticals
  • · Computers

Trade finance in Australia

  • · AUD is a fully convertible G20 currency; AUD LCs use ACT/365. Cross-border resource exports are typically USD-priced but AUD LCs are used domestically and for services trade.
  • · Australian banks (CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, Macquarie) quote 0.10-0.25% per quarter plus 10% GST on fees. G7 confirmation on Australian bank paper is minimal - rarely above 0.15% per quarter.
  • · Export Finance Australia (EFA) provides ECA finance for capital goods, resources and defence exports.

Customs & duty in Australia

  • · 10-digit HS Statistical Code (HS 6 + 4 national digits) administered by ABF (Australian Border Force).
  • · ICS (Integrated Cargo System) is the electronic customs declaration platform.
  • · Duty-free threshold: AUD 1,000 for low-value goods; GST still applies on all LVG imports via the vendor-collect model for online sellers.
  • · AUSFTA / RCEP / CPTPP self-certification of origin is standard - no formal certificate template required.

Incoterms 2020 practice in Australia

  • · CIF / CFR Port Botany, Melbourne or Brisbane for containerised imports.
  • · FOB Port Hedland / Dampier / Newcastle is the market standard for iron ore, LNG and coal exports (priced on Platts / Argus benchmarks).
  • · DDP is common for consumer goods - many overseas retailers register for GST and clear as importer of record.

HS commodity guides for Australia

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on Australia's trade lanes.

HS 84Industrial
HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) into Australia →
HS 30Regulated
HS Code for Pharmaceuticals (Chapter 30) into Australia →
HS 72Metals
HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) into Australia →
HS 1006Agricultural
HS Code for Rice (HS 1006) into Australia →
HS 2710Energy
HS Code for Petroleum Products (HS 2710) into Australia →
HS 2701Energy
HS Code for Coal (HS 2701) into Australia →
HS 2601Metals
HS Code for Iron Ore (HS 2601) into Australia →
HS 74Metals
HS Code for Copper (Chapter 74 & 2603) into Australia →

Every HS commodity landed-cost page for Australia

Direct link to the Australia import guide for each HS commodity we publish.

Commodities linked to Australia

Australia appears in the trade lanes for the commodities below. Each hub covers grades, specs, benchmark pricing and HS code references.

Copper →
Top exporter
HS 7403 (refined), 7404 (scrap), 2603 (concentrate)
Thermal & Coking Coal →
Top exporter
HS 2701 · Premium thermal + HCC; DBCT / HVCC / Gladstone

Australia's key trading partners

India toolkit →
IGST on imports · 5% / 12% / 18% / 28%
Singapore toolkit →
GST · 9% standard (from 2024)
China toolkit →
Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services
United States toolkit →
No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal
United Kingdom toolkit →
VAT · 20% standard, 5% reduced, 0% zero-rated
Japan toolkit →
Consumption Tax (JCT) · 10% standard / 8% reduced (food, newspapers)

Frequently asked questions

How does GST work for low-value online imports?

For goods ≤ AUD 1,000, overseas vendors selling more than AUD 75,000/year to Australian consumers must register for GST and collect 10% at point of sale. No duty applies below the AUD 1,000 threshold, but GST does.

Country data compiled from WCO HS, WTO tariff schedules, national customs authorities and central banks. Duty, tax and regulatory information is decision-support only - always confirm with a licensed customs broker or your bank before acting.