Importing Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal from Kenya into Australia (2026)

Importing Chapter 44 wood products from Kenya attracts MFN tariff rates with no preferential duty relief available, and critically, every shipment must be supported by documented due diligence under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 confirming legal harvest in Kenya before goods arrive in Australia. Kenyan timber species such as rosewood or ebony may additionally require CITES export permits from Kenyan authorities and a DAFF import permit obtained prior to shipment.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 44

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain and retain Kenya-sourced legal harvest evidence before shipment to satisfy Illegal Logging Prohibition Act due diligence requirements.
⚠Confirm whether timber species are CITES-listed and secure both Kenyan export permits and Australian DAFF import permits in advance.
⚠Ensure all wood packaging and pallets carry valid ISPM 15 heat treatment certificates, as DAFF biosecurity inspection on arrival is mandatory.
⚠All unprocessed or semi-processed timber and wood products are subject to strict DAFF biosecurity inspection on arrival — heat treatment (HT) or methyl bromide fumigation certificates to ISPM 15 standard are mandatory for wood packaging and pallets
⚠Australia's Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 requires importers to conduct due diligence confirming timber was legally harvested in the country of origin — failure to maintain documented supply chain records is a criminal offence with significant penalties
⚠Certain timber species (e.g. rosewood, merbau, ebony) may be subject to CITES permits under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act — both export permits from origin country and DAFF import permits are required before shipment
⚠Anti-dumping measures are currently in force on particular wood products from specific countries including certain plywood and engineered wood panels from China — check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission register before lodging an import declaration
⚠Engineered wood products such as MDF and particleboard must comply with Australian formaldehyde emission standards (AS/NZS 2098) and may be subject to ACCC scrutiny if used in domestic furniture or cabinetry
⚠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 with species name (common and scientific), country of harvest, and volume in cubic metres
phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organisation of the exporting country
ISPM 15 compliant heat treatment or fumigation certificate for all wood packaging material
due diligence documentation under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act (supplier declarations, chain of custody certificates such as FSC or PEFC)
CITES export and import permit (required for Appendix I and II listed timber species)

Import tip

Declare the timber species by scientific name on the commercial invoice before shipment — DAFF biosecurity officers may place a hold on consignments where species cannot be confirmed, and reclassification disputes at the border over hardwood versus softwood tariff subheadings are far easier to resolve with pre-arrival documentation than after goods are detained in a biosecurity facility.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 44 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