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Importing Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard from Japan into Australia (2026)

Importing Chapter 48 paper and wood pulp products from Japan allows access to CPTPP preferential tariff rates under Schedule 1 of the Customs Tariff Act 1995, provided a valid CPTPP origin declaration or approved exporter self-declaration is lodged at entry; simultaneously, recovered paper bales must meet DAFF biosecurity cleanliness standards and wood pulp bales may trigger due diligence obligations under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012.

✓ FTA Active: CPTPPHS Chapter 48

Free Trade Agreement

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Chapter 48 goods originating in Japan may qualify for preferential duty rates under CPTPP. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View CPTPP rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

  • ⚠Obtain a CPTPP origin declaration from the Japanese exporter before shipment to secure preferential duty rates at lodgement.
  • ⚠Ensure recovered paper bales are free of soil, food residue and live insects to avoid DAFF-ordered treatment or re-export costs.
  • ⚠Complete and retain Illegal Logging due diligence records for wood pulp bales for a minimum of five years to avoid civil penalties.
  • ⚠Recovered (waste) paper imports are regulated under the DAFF Biosecurity Act 2015 — bales must be free of soil, food residue, live insects and prohibited plant material; ABF and DAFF inspectors regularly examine shipments and may order treatment or re-export at importer cost
  • ⚠Wood pulp in bales sourced from certain countries may require a Timber Import Declaration under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012; importers must conduct due diligence and retain records for at least 5 years to avoid significant civil penalties
  • ⚠Anti-dumping measures have historically applied to A4 copy paper from China, Indonesia and Brazil — always check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission active measures register before placing orders, as dumping duty stacks on top of customs duty and can be substantial
  • ⚠Paper and paperboard that contact food (e.g. food-grade kraft liner, greaseproof paper) must comply with FSANZ food contact material requirements; importers should obtain supplier declarations confirming compliance with migration limits for heavy metals and fluorescent brightening agents
  • ⚠CITES permits are not typically required for chapter 48 goods, but if pulp is derived from listed timber species (e.g. certain tropical hardwoods), an Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) permit may be required prior to import
  • ⚠A CPTPP origin declaration or Certificate of Origin must be presented at time of import entry lodgement to claim preferential tariff rates under Schedule 1 of the Customs Tariff Act 1995; self-declaration by approved exporters is accepted under CPTPP rules
  • ⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures administered by the Anti-Dumping Commission apply to certain Japanese steel products including hot-rolled coil and reinforcing bar; importers must check the measures register prior to shipment to avoid significant additional duty liability
  • ⚠All electrical and electronic goods must comply with Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) standards and the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS); importers are responsible for ensuring products meet applicable Australian standards such as AS/NZS requirements before placing goods on the market
  • ⚠Biosecurity import conditions under the Biosecurity Act 2015 apply to timber, wooden packaging, and any goods with residual organic material; all wooden pallets and crates must be ISPM 15 treated and marked, and goods may be subject to inspection or treatment on arrival by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Key documents required

  • commercial invoice specifying grade, basis weight (gsm), pulp species or recovered fibre type, and country of origin
  • bill of lading or airway bill
  • packing list with bale or reel counts, net and gross weights
  • Illegal Logging Prohibition Act due diligence records and supplier country-of-harvest declaration (for wood pulp and paper from virgin fibre)
  • phytosanitary or fumigation certificate from country of export (required by DAFF for recovered paper and some wood pulp shipments)

Import tip

When importing recovered paper (heading 47.07), classify and describe each grade precisely using ISRI or EN643 grade codes on the commercial invoice — vague descriptions such as 'mixed waste paper' consistently trigger DAFF documentary holds and physical inspections that delay clearance by several days.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 48 goods from Japan — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

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Other product categories imported from Japan

Ch.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereofCh.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereofCh.85Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articlesCh.72Iron and steelCh.39Plastics and articles thereofCh.40Rubber and articles thereof