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

Hungary has no FTA with Australia so full MFN tariff rates apply to all Chapter 87 vehicle imports, and every road vehicle must satisfy MVSA 2018 compliance via RVCA approval or a RAW/Concessional RAV entry before the ABF will release the goods. The most critical obligation unique to this combination is securing the correct vehicle approval pathway prior to shipment, as Hungarian-manufactured vehicles are unlikely to already hold an Australian Certificate of Approval.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 87

Compliance requirements

  • Confirm RVCA registration or obtain RAW/Concessional RAV approval before the vessel departs Hungary.
  • Ensure all used vehicles are cleaned to clean, dry and free of contamination standard to avoid costly DAFF border treatment.
  • Declare full MFN duty liability on customs value inclusive of freight and insurance to the Australian port of entry.
  • 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
  • No FTA exists between Australia and Hungary, so MFN (general) tariff rates apply to all imports. A commercial invoice and packing list are required; a formal certificate of origin is not needed to claim FTA preferences but may be requested by the ABF for origin verification purposes.
  • ACMA type-approval and RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) labelling is mandatory for all electrical and electronic goods including machinery, consumer electronics, and telecommunications equipment before they can be sold in Australia.
  • Pharmaceutical and medicinal products (Chapter 30) exported from Hungary, a significant EU pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, must meet TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) registration and importation requirements, including valid import permits for scheduled substances.
  • Biosecurity declarations and potential DAFF inspection apply to any goods containing organic material, timber packaging, or animal-derived components. All wooden packaging must comply with ISPM 15 (heat treatment) standards, and a valid Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) assessment should be confirmed prior to shipment.

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 Hungary — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Other product categories imported from Hungary