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

No Australia-Germany FTA exists, so all Chapter 87 vehicles and parts attract MFN tariff rates with no preferential duty benefit; the single most critical obligation is confirming MVSA 2018 compliance and securing a valid RVCA, RAW, or Concessional RAV approval before the vessel departs Germany.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 87

Compliance requirements

⚠Verify RVCA registration or obtain RAW/Concessional RAV approval prior to shipment to avoid border detention.
⚠Ensure used vehicles meet DAFF 'clean, dry and free of contamination' standard before loading in Germany.
⚠Check the Anti-Dumping Commission register for any German steel or aluminium vehicle components subject to dumping measures.
⚠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 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

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

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Germany

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.30Pharmaceutical products Ch.90Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof Ch.38Miscellaneous chemical products Ch.39Plastics and articles thereof