Importing Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather from Kenya into Australia (2026)

Australia has no FTA with Kenya so full MFN tariff rates apply to all Chapter 41 hides and leather; critically, Kenya carries FMD risk meaning importers must secure a DAFF import permit before shipment or face seizure, destruction or re-export at their own cost.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 41

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain a DAFF Biosecurity import permit for Kenyan hides prior to booking shipment, not after.
⚠Source chrome-tanned wet-blue hides where possible to reduce DAFF inspection failure risk on arrival.
⚠If importing exotic skins such as crocodile or ostrich, secure CITES documentation and DAFF wildlife trade permit before export.
⚠All raw and wet-blue hides are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection on arrival — untreated or insufficiently processed hides may be treated, re-exported or destroyed at the importer's cost; chrome-tanned (wet-blue) hides generally pass more readily than raw green hides
⚠Raw hides and skins from countries with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) risk require an import permit from DAFF under the Biosecurity Act 2015 — failure to obtain this prior to shipment is a common and costly mistake
⚠Exotic or protected species skins (e.g. crocodile, ostrich, stingray) require CITES documentation and a DAFF wildlife trade permit under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 — Australian Border Force will seize shipments without valid permits
⚠Kangaroo and wallaby hides exported from Australia and re-imported as processed leather must be accompanied by documentation proving lawful harvest under a state wildlife management plan, as ABF scrutinises these shipments for illegal trade
⚠Anti-dumping measures have historically applied to certain finished leather products from specific origins — check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission register before importing finished bovine leather to avoid unexpected dumping duties
⚠No FTA exists between Australia and Kenya so MFN general tariff rates apply to all goods; a standard commercial invoice and packing list are required but no preferential certificate of origin is needed
⚠Biosecurity Australia imposes strict import conditions on Kenyan agricultural products including cut flowers, fresh produce, plant material and hides - import permits and offshore treatment or inspection on arrival at an Australian first port of entry are commonly required under the Biosecurity Act 2015
⚠Tea, coffee and food products from Kenya must comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code including labelling, permitted additives and contaminant limits; the Department of Agriculture may conduct documentary and physical checks under AQIS protocols
⚠Leather and animal-derived products such as hides and skins require an import permit and may be subject to treatment requirements to address pest and disease risk; wooden packaging must comply with ISPM 15 heat treatment and marking standards or face rejection at the border

Key documents required

commercial invoice specifying species, tanning method, country of origin and degree of processing (critical for correct tariff classification between 4101–4107)
DAFF biosecurity import permit (mandatory for raw or partially processed hides from FMD-affected countries)
CITES permit and re-export certificate (required for Appendix I and II listed species such as crocodilian and ostrich skins)
tannery treatment certificate or processing certificate confirming chrome-tanning or equivalent treatment to satisfy biosecurity requirements
certificate of origin (required to claim preferential duty rates under ChAFTA, RCEP or other applicable FTAs)

Import tip

Classifying hides correctly at the time of entry between headings 4101 (raw), 4104 (tanned/crust) and 4107 (further prepared leather) is heavily scrutinised by ABF — obtain a tannery process statement from your supplier before lodging your import declaration, as reclassification post-entry can trigger penalties and back-duty on an entire shipment.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 41 goods from Kenya — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Kenya

Ch.9Coffee, tea, maté and spices Ch.6Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage Ch.7Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers Ch.8Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons Ch.33Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations Ch.63Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags