Importing Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted from China into Australia (2026)

Knitted garments from China may qualify for preferential tariff rates under ChAFTA with a valid Certificate of Origin, but importers must also verify whether active anti-dumping measures apply to their specific garment category before shipment, as retrospective duties can significantly erode any ChAFTA tariff savings.

✓ FTA Active: ChAFTAHS Chapter 61

Free Trade Agreement

China-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 61 goods originating in China may qualify for preferential duty rates under ChAFTA. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View ChAFTA rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Check the Anti-Dumping Commission register before shipping to confirm no measures apply to your specific knitted garment lines.
⚠Obtain a valid ChAFTA Certificate of Origin from your Chinese supplier prior to lodging the import declaration.
⚠Ensure all garments carry compliant English labels stating fibre content, country of origin, and care instructions before ABF examination.
⚠All garments sold in Australia must comply with mandatory care labelling standards under Australian Consumer Law — labels must state fibre content, country of origin, and care instructions in English; non-compliance can trigger ABF detention and ACCC enforcement
⚠Children's nightwear (including knitted pyjamas and onesies) must meet flammability requirements under AS/NZS 1249 — importers must hold test reports from accredited laboratories before clearance
⚠Anti-dumping measures are active on certain knitted garments from specific origins — check the Anti-Dumping Commission register before shipment as duties can exceed 30% and apply retrospectively
⚠Country of origin claims on garments are heavily scrutinised; fabric knitted in one country but cut and sewn in another may not qualify as origin of the finishing country for FTA preferential rates or consumer labelling purposes
⚠No import permit is generally required, but biosecurity risk is low for new garments; however, second-hand or used knitted clothing requires DAFF biosecurity assessment and may require treatment or be refused entry
⚠A valid ChAFTA Certificate of Origin (or origin declaration by approved exporter) is required to claim preferential tariff rates under ChAFTA, and must be presented to the ABF at time of entry
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duties apply to a range of Chinese goods including steel reinforcing bar, hollow structural sections, aluminium extrusions and A4 copy paper - importers must check the Anti-Dumping Commission register before clearing goods
⚠Electrical and electronic goods must comply with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulatory arrangements and meet mandatory EESS (Electrical Equipment Safety System) registration requirements before sale in Australia
⚠Biosecurity declarations are mandatory for goods containing or made from timber, bamboo, plant materials or organic packing material, with DAFF inspections and possible treatment orders applying at the Australian border

Key documents required

commercial invoice with full fibre composition breakdown per SKU and country of manufacture
bill of lading or airway bill
packing list with carton-level detail including garment sizes and quantities
laboratory test reports for children's nightwear flammability (AS/NZS 1249) and any restricted substance testing (REACH or Oeko-Tex accepted as supporting evidence)
Certificate of Origin (Form E for ChAFTA, back-to-back or AANZ origin declaration for AANZFTA) to claim preferential tariff rates

Import tip

Pre-populate your tariff classification at the 10-digit statistical code level and include the exact fibre composition percentages on the commercial invoice — ABF commonly queries mismatches between declared composition and garment labels, and resolving this post-arrival causes costly storage delays.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 61 goods from China — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from China

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.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof Ch.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof Ch.62Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted Ch.94Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; luminaires and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings Ch.39Plastics and articles thereof