Importing Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof from United Arab Emirates into Australia (2026)

Vehicles and parts imported from the UAE may qualify for preferential tariff rates under the AUAECEPA, but importers must obtain a valid Certificate of Origin from an authorised UAE Chamber of Commerce and simultaneously satisfy MVSA approval requirements — including RAW or Concessional RAV entry where the vehicle is not listed on the RVCA register — before customs clearance will be granted.

✓ FTA Active: AUAECEPAHS Chapter 87

Free Trade Agreement

Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Chapter 87 goods originating in United Arab Emirates may qualify for preferential duty rates under AUAECEPA. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View AUAECEPA rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain a UAE Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Origin before shipment to secure AUAECEPA preferential duty rates.
⚠Confirm RVCA registration or secure RAW or Concessional RAV approval prior to vessel departure to avoid port delays.
⚠Ensure all used vehicles meet the DAFF clean, dry and free of contamination standard to avoid costly border treatment.
⚠All road vehicles must comply with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (MVSA) — vehicles not on the Road Vehicle Certificate of Approval (RVCA) register require a RAW (Registered Automotive Workshop) or Concessional RAV entry approval before import clearance
⚠New and used vehicles are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection for soil, plant material and pests — used vehicles and machinery must be cleaned to 'clean, dry and free of contamination' standard or face mandatory treatment costs at the border
⚠Anti-dumping measures apply to certain steel road wheels from China (Case 2014/1) — importers of steel wheels must check the Anti-Dumping Commission register and may be liable for dumping duty in addition to customs duty
⚠Electric vehicles and e-bikes with lithium-ion batteries must comply with the Australian Consumer Law and relevant Australian Standards (AS/NZS 62133 for batteries) — ACMA type approval is required for any wireless components such as keyless entry or Bluetooth systems
⚠Personal imports of vehicles over 25 years old via the Enthusiast, Left Hand Drive or other concessional pathways require a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Department of Infrastructure before shipment departs — this is a pre-import requirement, not a post-arrival fix
⚠A valid Certificate of Origin issued by an authorised UAE body (such as a UAE Chamber of Commerce) is required to claim preferential tariff rates under the AUAECEPA
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing measures may apply to certain aluminium extrusions and steel products originating from or transshipped through the UAE, requiring careful tariff classification and origin verification
⚠Electrical and electronic goods must meet ACMA regulatory compliance labelling requirements and relevant Australian Communications and Media Authority standards before import
⚠Perfumes, cosmetics and personal care products (HS Chapter 33) must comply with Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) registration requirements and carry accurate ingredient labelling in English

Key documents required

Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications — mandatory for most vehicle imports
Certificate of Conformity or Compliance Plate documentation confirming compliance with ADRs (Australian Design Rules) under the MVSA
Foreign registration certificate or title document (for used vehicles) to establish year of manufacture and ownership history
Commercial invoice with full VIN, engine number, make, model, year, engine capacity and FOB value — incomplete invoices are the leading cause of ABF delays for this chapter
Biosecurity declaration and evidence of pre-export cleaning or fumigation treatment (DAFF-approved treatment certificate where applicable)

Import tip

Always lodge the Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) application before the vessel departs the origin port — the Department of Infrastructure does not issue retrospective approvals and ABF will not release the vehicle without one, meaning demurrage and storage costs accumulate rapidly while you wait.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 87 goods from United Arab Emirates — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from United Arab Emirates

Ch.27Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes Ch.71Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin Ch.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof Ch.85Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles Ch.39Plastics and articles thereof Ch.73Articles of iron or steel