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

No FTA exists between Australia and Austria so MFN general tariff rates apply to all Austrian-origin Chapter 87 vehicles and parts; the most critical compliance obligation is securing either RVCA approval or a valid RAW or Concessional RAV entry approval before shipment departs Austria, as vehicles without this cannot be cleared at the Australian border.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 87

Compliance requirements

  • Verify RVCA registration or obtain RAW or Concessional RAV entry approval before the vehicle leaves Austria.
  • Ensure used vehicles meet DAFF clean, dry and free of contamination standard to avoid costly border treatment.
  • Declare MFN origin on the commercial invoice accurately — no preferential certificate of origin is applicable for Austria.
  • 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
  • No FTA exists between Australia and Austria so MFN general tariff rates apply to all imports; a commercial invoice with accurate country of origin declaration is required but no preferential certificate of origin is applicable
  • Electrical and electronic goods must meet ACMA regulatory arrangements including RCM marking compliance under the Radiocommunications Act and Telecommunications Act before entry into the Australian market
  • Timber, wooden products, and any goods containing plant material are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection and may require a phytosanitary certificate or heat treatment declaration under Australias Biosecurity Act 2015
  • Pharmaceutical and medical device imports from Austria must be listed or registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) administered by the TGA prior to importation, and relevant permits may be required for controlled substances

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 Austria — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Other product categories imported from Austria