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Home/Australian Tariffs/From Germany/Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles

Importing Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles from Germany into Australia (2026)

No Australia-Germany FTA exists, so MFN tariff rates apply to all Chapter 85 electrical goods; the most critical compliance obligation is registering as a responsible supplier on the EESS portal and obtaining RECB certification for Level 3 equipment such as power supplies and chargers before the goods arrive at the Australian border.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 85

Compliance requirements

  • ⚠Register on the EESS portal and secure RECB certification for Level 3 devices prior to shipment from Germany.
  • ⚠Ensure all RF-enabled products (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) carry a valid RCM mark to avoid ABF seizure.
  • ⚠Request a detailed commercial invoice stating German origin to satisfy ABF verification under MFN rules.
  • ⚠All electrical goods sold or supplied in Australia must comply with the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS); responsible suppliers must register products and themselves on the EESS portal before import or sale, with Level 3 equipment (e.g. power supplies, chargers) requiring certification by a Recognised External Certification Body (RECB)
  • ⚠ACMA regulates radiofrequency devices including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular products — these must comply with the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and carry a compliant RCM mark; importing non-compliant RF devices can result in ABF seizure at the border
  • ⚠Solar panels and inverters are subject to the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved product list requirements for any installation claiming Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the RET scheme — products not on the CEC list lose rebate eligibility, which directly affects resale value
  • ⚠Lithium battery shipments are subject to IATA/IMDG dangerous goods regulations for air and sea freight; misclassification of state of charge or watt-hour ratings is a common compliance failure that triggers re-inspection and delays at Australian ports
  • ⚠Anti-dumping measures are actively maintained on certain goods including aluminium extrusions and solar panels originating from China — importers should check the Anti-Dumping Commission's public register as dumping duties can add 5–40% to landed cost and apply retrospectively during investigation periods
  • ⚠No FTA exists between Australia and Germany, so MFN (general) tariff rates apply to all goods; a commercial invoice or EUR.1 movement certificate may be requested by the ABF to verify origin but confers no preferential duty benefit
  • ⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing measures administered by the Anti-Dumping Commission may apply to certain steel, aluminium, and chemical products from Germany; importers should check the public register prior to shipment to avoid unexpected duty liabilities
  • ⚠Electrical and electronic goods must comply with Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety standards; many products require a Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) before supply into the Australian market
  • ⚠Biosecurity Act 2015 requirements apply to any goods containing or associated with timber packaging, plant material, or animal-derived inputs; wooden pallets and crates must meet ISPM 15 treatment standards and goods may be subject to inspection or treatment on arrival by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Key documents required

  • commercial invoice with full technical specifications including model number, wattage, voltage, and country of manufacture
  • EESS supplier registration confirmation and product registration certificate (for in-scope electrical equipment)
  • RCM Declaration of Conformity and test reports from an accredited laboratory (for RF and electrical products)
  • certificate of origin (mandatory for FTA preferential tariff claims, e.g. Form E for ChAFTA, back-to-back COO for RCEP)
  • dangerous goods declaration and MSDS/SDS for lithium battery shipments

Import tip

When importing solar inverters or battery systems that may be subject to both EESS registration and CEC listing requirements, engage a compliance consultant before the shipment departs — retrofitting compliance documentation after goods arrive in a bonded warehouse is significantly more expensive than pre-shipment testing, and ABF can direct destruction of non-compliant goods.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 85 goods from Germany — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

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Other product categories imported from Germany

Ch.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereofCh.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereofCh.30Pharmaceutical productsCh.90Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereofCh.38Miscellaneous chemical productsCh.39Plastics and articles thereof