Importing Pharmaceutical products from India into Australia (2026)

Importing Chapter 30 pharmaceuticals from India under AIECTA preferential rates requires a valid Certificate of Origin from the Export Inspection Council, but the TGA ARTG registration and Import Licence obligations must be satisfied before ABF will release any shipment regardless of FTA status.

✓ FTA Active: AIECTAHS Chapter 30

Free Trade Agreement

Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement

Chapter 30 goods originating in India may qualify for preferential duty rates under AIECTA. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View AIECTA rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain EIC-issued Certificate of Origin prior to shipment to claim AIECTA preferential duty rates at the border.
⚠Confirm each product is listed or registered on the ARTG and your TGA Import Licence covers those specific goods.
⚠If importing narcotic or psychotropic pharmaceuticals, lodge ODC permit applications at least 10-15 business days before shipment.
⚠All therapeutic goods for human use must be listed or registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) before importation — ABF will hold shipments if the ARTG entry cannot be confirmed at the border
⚠The importer must hold a current TGA Manufacturing or Import Licence (issued under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989) — this licence must match the specific goods being imported, and spot audits do occur
⚠Narcotic, psychotropic, and certain precursor substances require a permit from the Office of Drug Control (ODC) under the Narcotic Drugs Act before each shipment; permits are shipment-specific so plan lead times of 10–15 business days
⚠Biological medicines, vaccines, and any product of animal origin require DAFF biosecurity assessment and may need a Biosecurity Import Permit — cold-chain integrity documentation is also scrutinised at the border for temperature-sensitive biologics
⚠Goods exempt from ARTG registration (e.g. certain compounded medicines or personal use exemptions) still require a formal TGA exemption reference to be cited on the import declaration to avoid ABF detention
⚠A Certificate of Origin (COO) issued by an authorised Indian body such as the Export Inspection Council must be presented to claim preferential AIECTA duty rates at the Australian border
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duties apply to several Indian steel products including hot-rolled coil and reinforcing bar - importers must check the Anti-Dumping Commission register before shipment
⚠Pharmaceutical and chemical imports from India must comply with TGA registration requirements and Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approvals where applicable
⚠Biosecurity declarations and inspections are mandatory for textiles, garments, leather goods, spices, and any goods with organic material that may carry pest or disease risk under the Biosecurity Act 2015

Key documents required

commercial invoice citing ARTG registration or listing number for each product line
TGA Import Licence or Manufacturing Licence copy (held by the importer of record)
Office of Drug Control (ODC) import permit for controlled substances (Schedule 8 or precursor chemicals)
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and Manufacturer's Certificate of GMP Compliance or equivalent TGA-accepted GMP clearance
DAFF Biosecurity Import Permit and cold-chain temperature records for biologics, vaccines, or animal-derived products

Import tip

Lodge your ODC controlled substance import permit application at least three weeks before the vessel or aircraft departs origin — ODC permits cannot be expedited after shipment, and a single missing permit number on the import declaration will result in ABF referral and potential destruction of the consignment.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 30 goods from India — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from India

Ch.62Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted Ch.61Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted Ch.72Iron and steel Ch.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof Ch.29Organic chemicals Ch.52Cotton