Importing Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations from Italy into Australia (2026)

Australia has no FTA with Italy, meaning all Chapter 33 cosmetic and perfumery goods attract MFN tariff rates, while any Italian product making therapeutic claims such as antibacterial or SPF benefits must be listed on the ARTG before the shipment reaches the Australian border.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 33

Compliance requirements

⚠Verify ARTG listing for any Italian sunscreen or therapeutic-claim cosmetic before booking the shipment.
⚠Declare all botanical ingredients on the commercial invoice to enable DAFF biosecurity assessment at the border.
⚠Ensure the commercial invoice explicitly states Italy as country of origin to support MFN tariff classification.
⚠Sunscreens with SPF claims are regulated as therapeutic goods under the TGA and require ARTG listing or registration before importation — failure to list prior to import can result in seizure at the border
⚠Products containing plant-derived essential oils (e.g. raw botanicals, plant material residues) may require DAFF biosecurity assessment; declare all botanical ingredients accurately to avoid reclassification as a biosecurity risk
⚠Cosmetics making therapeutic or medicinal claims (e.g. 'treats eczema', 'kills bacteria') may be reclassified as therapeutic goods by TGA, triggering ARTG requirements and a higher duty of care for labelling
⚠All cosmetic products must comply with the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 administered by AICIS — new ingredients not previously notified in Australia require an AICIS introduction notification or exemption check before first importation
⚠Alcohol-based perfumes and fragrance products with high ethanol content may be subject to Australian Customs (Excise-equivalent) considerations; confirm with your broker whether excise-equivalent duties apply to your specific formulation
⚠No FTA exists between Australia and Italy, so MFN (general) tariff rates apply to all imported goods - no preferential Certificate of Origin is required, though a standard commercial invoice detailing country of origin is essential for tariff classification purposes
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing measures administered by the Anti-Dumping Commission may apply to certain Italian goods such as steel reinforcing bar and hollow structural sections - importers should check the Anti-Dumping Commission register before lodging entries
⚠Electrical and electronic goods must comply with Australian mandatory standards under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) and may require ACMA registration for radio communications devices before importation
⚠Biosecurity Act 2015 requirements apply to goods containing timber, leather, natural stone, or food products such as olive oil and cured meats - these may be subject to inspection, treatment, or import permits issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Key documents required

Commercial invoice with full INCI ingredient list and percentage breakdown (critical for TGA and AICIS assessment)
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) from manufacturer, confirming composition, purity and batch details
TGA ARTG number or evidence of exemption/listing for any product making therapeutic claims (especially sunscreens)
AICIS introduction notification reference or exemption category confirmation for products containing industrial chemicals
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for essential oils and alcohol-based fragrance products, required for dangerous goods classification under IATA/IMDG if shipped in bulk

Import tip

Lodge your AICIS exemption or notification check well before shipment arrival — AICIS assessments can take weeks and holding costs at a bonded warehouse while awaiting chemical clearance are a common and avoidable expense for first-time cosmetics importers.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 33 goods from Italy — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Italy

Ch.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof Ch.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof Ch.62Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted Ch.64Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles Ch.22Beverages, spirits and vinegar 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