Importing Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles from France into Australia (2026)

Australia has no FTA with France, so MFN tariff rates apply to all Chapter 64 footwear imports; the most critical compliance obligation is ensuring any safety footwear meets AS/NZS 2210.3 certification requirements, while used or sample shoes worn at trade shows in France must be declared to DAFF on arrival for biosecurity assessment.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 64

Compliance requirements

⚠Apply MFN duty rates and provide a commercial invoice stating French origin — no preferential certificate of origin is required.
⚠Declare any used or trade-show-worn sample footwear to DAFF immediately; cleaning or treatment may be mandated before release.
⚠Confirm safety boots carry valid AS/NZS 2210.3 certification markings prior to shipment to avoid product bans on arrival.
⚠Anti-dumping measures are active on certain Chinese-origin rubber-soled footwear — check the Anti-Dumping Commission's public register before importing as dumping duties can significantly exceed the base customs duty
⚠All footwear must meet Australian Consumer Law mandatory safety and labelling standards; footwear marketed as safety boots must comply with AS/NZS 2210.3 and carry correct certification markings or importers risk product bans and recalls
⚠Biosecurity risk applies to used or second-hand footwear, which must be declared to DAFF and may require cleaning or treatment on arrival — even sample shoes worn at trade shows overseas can trigger this requirement
⚠Country of origin labelling is not mandatory for footwear under Australian law, but misleading 'Made in' claims (e.g. assembled in a third country from Chinese components) attract ACCC enforcement action under the Competition and Consumer Act
⚠Tariff classification disputes are common in this chapter — the outer sole material and upper material combination determines the correct 8-digit subheading; misclassification between 6401, 6402, 6403, and 6404 headings is a frequent ABF audit trigger
⚠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 specifying upper material, outer sole material, and intended use (critical for correct tariff classification)
bill of lading or airway bill
packing list with pairs per carton and size breakdown
AS/NZS 2210 test certificate or compliance report from accredited lab (mandatory for safety footwear marketed for occupational use)
anti-dumping certificate of origin or statutory declaration confirming country of manufacture (required where anti-dumping measures apply to Chinese-origin footwear)

Import tip

Request that your supplier specify the exact outer sole and upper composition (e.g. '100% polyurethane outer sole, textile upper') on the commercial invoice — this single step prevents ABF from holding the shipment for tariff clarification and avoids the most common classification disputes in this chapter.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 64 goods from France — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

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Other product categories imported from France

Ch.22Beverages, spirits and vinegar Ch.33Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 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