Importing Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof from France into Australia (2026)

No Australia-France FTA exists, so MFN tariff rates apply to all Chapter 84 machinery imports; the most critical compliance obligation is ensuring electrical or motor-driven plant from French manufacturers is RCM-registered with ACMA before shipment to avoid ABF holds at the Australian border.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 84

Compliance requirements

⚠Register French machinery suppliers with ACMA for RCM compliance before goods depart France.
⚠Obtain an ODS/SGG import permit before shipment if the equipment contains HFCs or HCFCs.
⚠Arrange DAFF biosecurity inspection in advance if importing used or second-hand machinery.
⚠Used or second-hand machinery requires a DAFF biosecurity inspection and may require cleaning or fumigation treatment before release — budget extra time and cost, particularly for soil-contaminated plant from Asia or the Americas
⚠Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment containing HFCs or HCFCs requires an Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) licence for handling and an ODS/SGG import permit from the Department of Climate Change under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act before shipment
⚠Electrical machinery and equipment (including motor-driven plant) intended for sale or supply in Australia must meet ACMA regulatory compliance mark (RCM) requirements — failing to register responsible suppliers with ACMA before import can result in ABF holds and costly recalls
⚠Energy-using products covered by the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act — including commercial refrigeration units, air compressors and certain pumps — must meet minimum energy performance standards and carry correct labelling before being offered for sale; non-compliant stock can be seized at the border
⚠Anti-dumping measures currently apply to certain steel-component machinery and aluminium extrusion equipment from China; check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission's measure register before finalising supplier contracts as dumping duties can add 5–40% to landed cost
⚠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 detailing full technical description, model and serial numbers, country of origin and manufacturer name
bill of lading or airwaybill
packing list with gross and net weights and dimensions (critical for ABF and DAFF inspection scheduling)
manufacturer's certificate of origin (in prescribed FTA format where preferential tariff rate is being claimed under ChAFTA, AUSFTA or RCEP)
ODS/SGG import permit (where applicable for refrigerant-charged equipment) and ACMA RCM supplier registration evidence or equivalency test report for electrical machinery

Import tip

Request the manufacturer's technical datasheet and confirm the correct 8-digit HS tariff subheading with your broker before the shipment leaves origin — reclassification of machinery at the border (e.g. between 8479, 8428 or chapter 73/94) is a common ABF audit trigger and can delay clearance by days while also affecting whether your FTA certificate covers the correct tariff line.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 84 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.33Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 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