Import Duty from China to Australia
Exactly what you’ll pay to import from China to Australia — duty, GST and clearance, worked out before you order, not after the container lands.
Get your landed-cost quote
Tell us what you’re importing to Australia. We reply on WhatsApp, usually within a working day.
Factory-direct pricing
We buy at the Foshan factory gate — the same piece you see online, without the retail or middleman markup.
Quality checked before it sails
Photos and inspection at the factory and again at our warehouse, so problems are caught in China, not at your door.
Door-to-door to Australia
Sea and air freight to Port Botany (Sydney), the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) clearance and last-mile — handled end to end.
This is the practical guide to import duty from China to Australia: how the duty is calculated, what tax stacks on top, and the rate by product category. Australia’s general tariff is 5%, but the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) reduces most Chinese-origin goods — furniture included — to 0% (Free). The saving is real but conditional: you need a valid Certificate of Origin or Declaration of Origin proving the goods qualify, or you pay the full 5%. With ChAFTA duty at 0%, your only import tax is 10% GST on the VoTI (customs value + freight + insurance). Miss the Certificate of Origin and 5% duty is added back before GST is calculated.
How duty and tax are calculated
Australia’s general tariff is 5%, but the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) reduces most Chinese-origin goods — furniture included — to 0% (Free). The saving is real but conditional: you need a valid Certificate of Origin or Declaration of Origin proving the goods qualify, or you pay the full 5%.
10% GST then applies to the Value of the Taxable Importation — customs value + duty + freight + insurance. With ChAFTA duty at 0%, your only import tax is 10% GST on the VoTI (customs value + freight + insurance). Miss the Certificate of Origin and 5% duty is added back before GST is calculated. GST-registered importers generally claim the import GST back as a credit on their BAS.
Import duty by product category
| Product | HS heading | Australia rate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture | 9403 | 0% (ChAFTA) | HS 9403 is Free under ChAFTA — but timber furniture faces biosecurity inspection. |
| LED & Lighting | 9405 | 0% (ChAFTA) | Free under ChAFTA; must meet the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS). |
| Marble & Tiles | 6802 / 6907 | 0% (ChAFTA) | Free under ChAFTA; heavy cargo where freight per CBM dominates cost. |
| Mattresses & Bedding | 9404 | 0% (ChAFTA) | HS 9404 Free under ChAFTA; foam and fabric may face flammability standards. |
| Sanitaryware & Kitchen | 6910 / 7324 | 0% (ChAFTA) | Free under ChAFTA; WaterMark certification applies to plumbing fixtures. |
| Machinery & Equipment | 84xx | 0% (ChAFTA) | Free under ChAFTA; electrical machinery needs EESS/RCM compliance. |
Rates are indicative of the current schedule; your exact rate depends on the full HS classification of your goods. We confirm it before you order.
Reviewed by verified import specialists
The duty, tax and clearance guidance on this page reflects the Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry practice and the applicable tariff schedule as of August 2026. Rates and procedures can change — we re-verify this page each quarter and confirm the rate for your specific HS code before you commit to an order. This is practical guidance, not a customs ruling on your particular goods.
A worked landed-cost example
On a US$20,000 order with US$2,200 freight and insurance (customs value US$22,200):
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Customs value (goods + freight + insurance) | US$22,200 |
| Customs duty (0% duty on most goods under ChAFTA — with a valid Certificate of Origin) | US$0 (ChAFTA) |
| GST on the Value of the Taxable Importation — customs value + duty + freight + insurance | US$2,220 |
| Duty + tax total | US$2,220 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty from China to Australia?
Australia’s general tariff is 5%, but the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) reduces most Chinese-origin goods — furniture included — to 0% (Free). The saving is real but conditional: you need a valid Certificate of Origin or Declaration of Origin proving the goods qualify, or you pay the full 5%.
Is duty charged on the goods value or the total?
On the customs value, which includes freight and insurance to the border, not the factory invoice alone. That is why the landed cost is always higher than the factory price.
What tax is charged on top of duty?
10% GST on the Value of the Taxable Importation — customs value + duty + freight + insurance. GST-registered importers generally claim the import GST back as a credit on their BAS.
How do I find the exact duty rate for my product?
Send us the product and we classify it to the correct HS code, then give you the exact current rate and a full landed cost — free, before you commit to an order.
Get your landed cost before you commit to an order
Send us your product list or a supplier link. We classify the goods, confirm the rate against the HS code, and come back with one landed-cost figure delivered to your door in Australia — goods, freight, duty, tax and local charges in a single number.
Related guides
Furniture & project cargo, straight from the source
Six categories we move most for Australia buyers — each with the real duty rate and a factory-direct quote.
Sofas, Beds & Cabinets
Living, bedroom and dining sets straight from the Foshan factory floor.
Duty & sourcing for AustraliaLighting & LED
Chandeliers, track, architectural and outdoor lighting, CE/SAA-ready.
Duty & sourcing for AustraliaMarble, Stone & Tiles
Slabs, porcelain and mosaics — heavy cargo we consolidate to cut freight.
Duty & sourcing for AustraliaMattresses & Bedding
Pocket-spring and foam, compressed and roll-packed to save CBM.
Duty & sourcing for AustraliaSanitaryware & Kitchen
Basins, tubs, faucets and cabinetry for fit-outs and projects.
Duty & sourcing for AustraliaMachinery & Equipment
Production lines and equipment, inspected before they ship.
Duty & sourcing for AustraliaGet your landed cost before you commit to an order
Send your product list or a supplier link. We classify the goods, confirm the duty against the HS code, and come back with one number to your door in Australia — goods, freight, duty, tax and local charges.
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