Importing Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof from South Korea into Australia (2026)

Korean-origin Chapter 87 vehicles and parts may qualify for KAFTA preferential tariff rates, but importers must simultaneously secure a valid KAFTA Certificate of Origin or Origin Declaration and confirm MVSA compliance — including RAW or Concessional RAV entry approval for any vehicle not listed on the RVCA register — before lodging the import entry. Used vehicles from Korea are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection and must meet the clean, dry and free of contamination standard, with non-compliance risking costly border treatment.

✓ FTA Active: KAFTAHS Chapter 87

Free Trade Agreement

Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 87 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

⚠Obtain KAFTA Certificate of Origin or Origin Declaration from Korean exporter prior to entry lodgement to secure preferential duty rates.
⚠Verify RVCA registration status before shipment — unregistered vehicles require RAW or Concessional RAV approval before border clearance.
⚠Ensure used Korean vehicles are cleaned to DAFF biosecurity standard before export to avoid mandatory treatment charges at the Australian border.
⚠All road vehicles must comply with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (MVSA) — vehicles not on the Road Vehicle Certificate of Approval (RVCA) register require a RAW (Registered Automotive Workshop) or Concessional RAV entry approval before import clearance
⚠New and used vehicles are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection for soil, plant material and pests — used vehicles and machinery must be cleaned to 'clean, dry and free of contamination' standard or face mandatory treatment costs at the border
⚠Anti-dumping measures apply to certain steel road wheels from China (Case 2014/1) — importers of steel wheels must check the Anti-Dumping Commission register and may be liable for dumping duty in addition to customs duty
⚠Electric vehicles and e-bikes with lithium-ion batteries must comply with the Australian Consumer Law and relevant Australian Standards (AS/NZS 62133 for batteries) — ACMA type approval is required for any wireless components such as keyless entry or Bluetooth systems
⚠Personal imports of vehicles over 25 years old via the Enthusiast, Left Hand Drive or other concessional pathways require a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Department of Infrastructure before shipment departs — this is a pre-import requirement, not a post-arrival fix
⚠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

Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications — mandatory for most vehicle imports
Certificate of Conformity or Compliance Plate documentation confirming compliance with ADRs (Australian Design Rules) under the MVSA
Foreign registration certificate or title document (for used vehicles) to establish year of manufacture and ownership history
Commercial invoice with full VIN, engine number, make, model, year, engine capacity and FOB value — incomplete invoices are the leading cause of ABF delays for this chapter
Biosecurity declaration and evidence of pre-export cleaning or fumigation treatment (DAFF-approved treatment certificate where applicable)

Import tip

Always lodge the Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) application before the vessel departs the origin port — the Department of Infrastructure does not issue retrospective approvals and ABF will not release the vehicle without one, meaning demurrage and storage costs accumulate rapidly while you wait.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 87 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.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.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 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