Importing Plastics and articles thereof from Hong Kong, China into Australia (2026)

Importing Chapter 39 plastics from Hong Kong under the AHKFTA requires a valid Certificate of Origin issued by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce or equivalent authorised body to unlock preferential tariff rates, while simultaneously meeting Australian product safety and biosecurity obligations specific to the plastic article type being imported.

✓ FTA Active: AHKFTAHS Chapter 39

Free Trade Agreement

Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 39 goods originating in Hong Kong, China may qualify for preferential duty rates under AHKFTA. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View AHKFTA rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain AHKFTA Certificate of Origin from an authorised Hong Kong body before shipment to claim preferential duty rates.
⚠For food-contact plastic items, secure supplier food-grade declarations or FSANZ Standard 1.4.3 migration test results prior to clearance.
⚠Inspect hollow plastic goods such as outdoor furniture legs for organic matter to avoid DAFF biosecurity intervention on arrival.
⚠Food-contact plastics (containers, wrapping film, cutlery) must comply with FSANZ standards — suppliers should provide a food-grade declaration or migration test results confirming compliance with FSANZ Food Standards Code Standard 1.4.3
⚠Plastic items containing wood, soil, plant material or organic matter in cavities (e.g. outdoor furniture with hollow legs) trigger DAFF biosecurity inspection and may require treatment or re-export under the Biosecurity Act 2015
⚠Children's plastic products (toys, feeding items) are subject to the ACCC's mandatory consumer product safety standards — importers must ensure compliance with AS/NZS 8124 and relevant ACCC product safety notices before customs clearance
⚠Anti-dumping measures are actively applied to plastics from China and other countries — check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission register before shipment, particularly for PVC products, polyethylene film and styrene polymers, as duty liabilities can be substantial and retrospective
⚠Plastic packaging subject to the Australian Packaging Covenant (APCO) and state-based container deposit schemes may impose downstream obligations on brand owners and importers — not a customs hold-up but a compliance cost that surprises new importers
⚠A valid Certificate of Origin (CO) issued by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce or equivalent authorised body is required to claim preferential tariff rates under the AHKFTA
⚠Electrical and electronic goods must meet ACMA regulatory arrangements including Supplier Declaration of Conformity or formal approval before import and sale in Australia
⚠Goods must satisfy Australian Consumer Law mandatory safety and information standards, particularly for products such as toys, childcare articles, and personal protective equipment regulated under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duties may apply to certain goods such as aluminium extrusions and steel products where circumvention through Hong Kong transshipment is under ABF scrutiny

Key documents required

commercial invoice with full polymer type description (e.g. HDPE, PET, PP) and HS subheading declared by supplier
bill of lading or airway bill
packing list with net and gross weights per SKU
food-grade declaration or third-party migration test certificate for any food-contact plastic articles
ACCC supplier declaration or test report for children's plastic products subject to mandatory safety standards

Import tip

Declaring the specific polymer type and form (e.g. 'polypropylene, in primary forms, random copolymer' vs 'articles of polypropylene') in the commercial invoice prevents ABF tariff reclassification disputes — the boundary between Chapters 39 and 40, and between primary forms and finished articles, is a common audit trigger that delays clearance and generates amendment costs.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 39 goods from Hong Kong, China — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Hong Kong, China

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.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof Ch.91Clocks and watches and parts thereof Ch.71Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin Ch.61Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted Ch.62Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted