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

Vehicles and automotive parts imported from the United Kingdom may qualify for preferential tariff rates under AUKFTA, provided a valid Declaration of Origin is held on commercial documentation, but importers must simultaneously confirm MVSA compliance and RVCA registration status before shipment departs the UK.

✓ FTA Active: AUKFTAHS Chapter 87

Free Trade Agreement

Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 87 goods originating in United Kingdom may qualify for preferential duty rates under AUKFTA. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View AUKFTA rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain a supplier Declaration of Origin on UK commercial documentation to claim AUKFTA preferential duty rates at entry.
⚠Verify the vehicle appears on the RVCA register or secure RAW or Concessional RAV approval before Australian border arrival.
⚠Ensure used vehicles meet the DAFF clean, dry and free of contamination standard to avoid costly border treatment.
⚠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
⚠A valid proof of origin such as a Declaration of Origin on commercial documentation is required to claim preferential tariff rates under AUKFTA, with importers able to self-declare or hold supplier declarations
⚠Therapeutic goods including pharmaceuticals and medical devices must be listed or registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) via the TGA prior to importation, regardless of UK regulatory approval
⚠Alcoholic beverages including Scotch whisky and English wines are subject to Australian excise-equivalent customs duty and must comply with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) labelling requirements including allergen and sulphite declarations
⚠Biosecurity requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015 apply strictly to goods containing wood packaging material, animal-derived products, and any plant material, which must meet DAFF import conditions and may require treatment or inspection on arrival

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 United Kingdom — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from United Kingdom

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.22Beverages, spirits and vinegar Ch.88Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof Ch.90Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof