Importing Coffee, tea, maté and spices from Kenya into Australia (2026)

Australia has no FTA with Kenya, meaning all Chapter 9 goods attract MFN tariff rates, while Kenyan agricultural origin simultaneously triggers strict DAFF biosecurity conditions under the Biosecurity Act 2015, requiring BICON-verified import permits and mandatory inspection or treatment on arrival for green coffee beans, teas, and spices before customs clearance can be completed.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 9

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain a BICON import permit for all plant-based goods before shipment departs Kenya.
⚠Ensure commercial invoices describe each product precisely — vague terms like 'mixed spices' risk destruction orders.
⚠Apply MFN general tariff rates and include all Kenyan freight and insurance costs in the customs value.
⚠All plant-based spices, teas, and unroasted coffee beans are biosecurity risk goods under the Biosecurity Act 2015 — DAFF requires an import permit and may mandate treatment or inspection on arrival; green coffee beans in particular carry pest and disease risk and must meet strict import conditions listed on BICON
⚠Dried chillies, peppers, and mixed spice products are frequently intercepted for undeclared additives or prohibited plant material — misdescription or vague invoicing (e.g., 'mixed spices') triggers holds and potential destruction orders
⚠Vanilla beans and some herbal teas containing medicinal claims may be regulated by the TGA as complementary medicines — importers must confirm whether the product crosses the food/therapeutic boundary before lodging entry
⚠Roasted coffee and tea are generally lower biosecurity risk than raw plant material but must still comply with FSANZ Food Standards Code requirements for labelling, allergen declarations, and maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides enforced by DAFF
⚠Country of origin labelling under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and FSANZ Standard 1.2.11 is strictly enforced for retail-packaged tea and coffee — blended products must declare all origin countries if marketed with geographic claims
⚠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 full botanical name, country of origin, and processing state (raw, roasted, ground)
DAFF import permit (mandatory for most raw/dried plant material including green coffee beans, whole spices, and unprocessed teas)
phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection authority of the exporting country
certificate of origin (preferential — e.g., Form D for ASEAN, CO for ChAFTA) to claim FTA duty concessions
fumigation or heat treatment certificate where DAFF conditions require treatment prior to or on arrival in Australia

Import tip

Lodge your BICON import conditions check and apply for any required DAFF import permit at least 4–6 weeks before the shipment departs origin — permit processing times vary and arriving goods without a valid permit will be held in biosecurity custody at the importer's cost.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 9 goods from Kenya — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Kenya

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 Ch.41Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather