Home/Australian Tariffs/From Hungary/Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof

Importing Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof from Hungary into Australia (2026)

Importing Chapter 90 instruments from Hungary attracts full MFN tariff rates with no FTA concession available, and any therapeutic or radiation-emitting device within the shipment must hold a current ARTG registration and applicable state radiation safety approval before Australian Border Force will release the goods.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 90

Compliance requirements

  • Verify ARTG registration for all therapeutic or diagnostic devices prior to shipment departure from Hungary.
  • Obtain RCM marking or supplier EMC declaration for any electrical measuring or test instruments in the consignment.
  • Ensure commercial invoice explicitly states Hungarian origin to satisfy ABF origin verification requirements under MFN assessment.
  • Most therapeutic medical devices (ultrasound, X-ray, diagnostic instruments) must be registered on the ARTG via the TGA before importation — absence of ARTG entry can result in ABF seizure at the border
  • Radiation-emitting devices such as dental X-ray units, lasers, and UV instruments may require state/territory radiation safety authority approval (e.g., ARPANSA or state equivalents) in addition to TGA registration
  • Electrical measuring and test instruments intended for use in Australia must comply with ACMA electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrical safety standards; a Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) or supplier declaration is required for listed equipment
  • Biological reference materials, calibration fluids of animal origin, or instruments shipped with organic packing material are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection and may require an import permit under the Biosecurity Act 2015
  • Some precision optical and dual-use instruments (e.g., night-vision devices, certain laser rangefinders, infrared cameras) may be controlled goods under the Defence Export Controls framework (DECO) and require an import permit under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
  • 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

  • commercial invoice with full technical description, model number, and intended end-use
  • bill of lading or airway bill
  • TGA ARTG certificate or registration number (for therapeutic medical devices)
  • manufacturer's certificate of conformity or CE/FDA declaration (supports TGA and ABF classification evidence)
  • ACMA RCM supplier declaration or test report (for electrical/electronic instruments)
  • import permit from DECO or state radiation authority where applicable

Import tip

Securing TGA ARTG registration before the shipment departs — not after it arrives — is the single biggest time-saver in this chapter; ABF will not release a medical device consignment without a valid ARTG entry and customs brokers cannot retrospectively obtain one while goods sit in a bonded warehouse accruing storage costs.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 90 goods from Hungary — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Other product categories imported from Hungary