Importing Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations from France into Australia (2026)

No FTA exists between Australia and France, so MFN tariff rates apply to all Chapter 33 goods; French cosmetics and perfumery products making therapeutic claims (common in premium French skincare) risk TGA reclassification, requiring ARTG listing before the goods can legally enter Australia.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 33

Compliance requirements

⚠Review all French product labelling for therapeutic claims before shipment to avoid TGA reclassification at the border.
⚠Confirm any SPF-rated French sunscreens hold current ARTG listing prior to booking the consignment.
⚠Declare all botanical ingredients accurately on the commercial invoice to satisfy DAFF biosecurity assessment requirements.
⚠Sunscreens with SPF claims are regulated as therapeutic goods under the TGA and require ARTG listing or registration before importation — failure to list prior to import can result in seizure at the border
⚠Products containing plant-derived essential oils (e.g. raw botanicals, plant material residues) may require DAFF biosecurity assessment; declare all botanical ingredients accurately to avoid reclassification as a biosecurity risk
⚠Cosmetics making therapeutic or medicinal claims (e.g. 'treats eczema', 'kills bacteria') may be reclassified as therapeutic goods by TGA, triggering ARTG requirements and a higher duty of care for labelling
⚠All cosmetic products must comply with the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 administered by AICIS — new ingredients not previously notified in Australia require an AICIS introduction notification or exemption check before first importation
⚠Alcohol-based perfumes and fragrance products with high ethanol content may be subject to Australian Customs (Excise-equivalent) considerations; confirm with your broker whether excise-equivalent duties apply to your specific formulation
⚠No FTA exists between Australia and France, so MFN (general) tariff rates apply to all goods; a commercial invoice and packing list are required but no preferential certificate of origin is needed for duty purposes
⚠Alcoholic beverages including wine and spirits (Chapter 22) are subject to Australian Border Force import permits and must comply with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) labelling requirements including country of origin and allergen declarations
⚠Cosmetics, perfumes and pharmaceutical goods (Chapters 30 and 33) must meet Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) or NICNAS/AICIS registration requirements before importation, and French CE marking alone is not accepted as proof of Australian compliance
⚠Biosecurity Act 2015 controls apply to any goods containing animal or plant material including leather goods, wooden components, natural cork and floral products, which may require biosecurity inspection or treatment on arrival in Australia

Key documents required

Commercial invoice with full INCI ingredient list and percentage breakdown (critical for TGA and AICIS assessment)
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) from manufacturer, confirming composition, purity and batch details
TGA ARTG number or evidence of exemption/listing for any product making therapeutic claims (especially sunscreens)
AICIS introduction notification reference or exemption category confirmation for products containing industrial chemicals
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for essential oils and alcohol-based fragrance products, required for dangerous goods classification under IATA/IMDG if shipped in bulk

Import tip

Lodge your AICIS exemption or notification check well before shipment arrival — AICIS assessments can take weeks and holding costs at a bonded warehouse while awaiting chemical clearance are a common and avoidable expense for first-time cosmetics importers.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 33 goods from France — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from France

Ch.22Beverages, spirits and vinegar 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.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof Ch.30Pharmaceutical products Ch.62Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted