Importing Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof from South Korea into Australia (2026)

Korean machinery imports can access reduced or zero KAFTA preferential tariff rates, but importers must lodge a valid KAFTA Certificate of Origin or Origin Declaration at entry time; for motor-driven or electrical plant intended for sale in Australia, RCM compliance registration with ACMA must also be completed before shipment to avoid ABF holds at the border.

✓ FTA Active: KAFTAHS Chapter 84

Free Trade Agreement

Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 84 goods originating in South Korea may qualify for preferential duty rates under KAFTA. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View KAFTA rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Secure a KAFTA Certificate of Origin from the Korean exporter before shipment to claim preferential tariff rates at entry.
⚠Register all electrical or motor-driven machinery with ACMA under the RCM framework prior to importation to prevent costly ABF holds.
⚠If importing used Korean machinery, budget for mandatory DAFF biosecurity inspection and potential cleaning or fumigation costs before goods are released.
⚠Used or second-hand machinery requires a DAFF biosecurity inspection and may require cleaning or fumigation treatment before release — budget extra time and cost, particularly for soil-contaminated plant from Asia or the Americas
⚠Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment containing HFCs or HCFCs requires an Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) licence for handling and an ODS/SGG import permit from the Department of Climate Change under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act before shipment
⚠Electrical machinery and equipment (including motor-driven plant) intended for sale or supply in Australia must meet ACMA regulatory compliance mark (RCM) requirements — failing to register responsible suppliers with ACMA before import can result in ABF holds and costly recalls
⚠Energy-using products covered by the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act — including commercial refrigeration units, air compressors and certain pumps — must meet minimum energy performance standards and carry correct labelling before being offered for sale; non-compliant stock can be seized at the border
⚠Anti-dumping measures currently apply to certain steel-component machinery and aluminium extrusion equipment from China; check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission's measure register before finalising supplier contracts as dumping duties can add 5–40% to landed cost
⚠A KAFTA Certificate of Origin or Origin Declaration must be provided at time of entry to claim preferential tariff rates under KAFTA, with the exporter or producer attesting to Rules of Origin compliance
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures are actively in force on certain Korean steel products including hot-rolled coil, plate and hollow sections - importers must check the ABF anti-dumping register prior to lodging entry
⚠Electrical and electronic goods must meet ACMA regulatory compliance requirements including RCM marking under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS), and relevant AS/NZS standards must be demonstrated before goods are cleared
⚠Motor vehicles and automotive parts from Korea must comply with Australian Design Rules (ADRs) administered by the Department of Infrastructure, and used or second-hand vehicles are subject to strict biosecurity and asbestos-containing material (ACM) inspection requirements

Key documents required

commercial invoice detailing full technical description, model and serial numbers, country of origin and manufacturer name
bill of lading or airwaybill
packing list with gross and net weights and dimensions (critical for ABF and DAFF inspection scheduling)
manufacturer's certificate of origin (in prescribed FTA format where preferential tariff rate is being claimed under ChAFTA, AUSFTA or RCEP)
ODS/SGG import permit (where applicable for refrigerant-charged equipment) and ACMA RCM supplier registration evidence or equivalency test report for electrical machinery

Import tip

Request the manufacturer's technical datasheet and confirm the correct 8-digit HS tariff subheading with your broker before the shipment leaves origin — reclassification of machinery at the border (e.g. between 8479, 8428 or chapter 73/94) is a common ABF audit trigger and can delay clearance by days while also affecting whether your FTA certificate covers the correct tariff line.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 84 goods from South Korea — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from South Korea

Ch.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof 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 Ch.72Iron and steel Ch.39Plastics and articles thereof Ch.40Rubber and articles thereof Ch.90Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof