Importing Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted from Sri Lanka into Australia (2026)

Name: Importing Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted from Sri Lanka into Australia — Duty Rates 2026
Creator: Australian Border Force
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sri Lankan knitted garments attract full MFN tariff rates with no FTA concession available, making correct HS classification critical to avoid duty miscalculation; importers must also ensure all garments carry compliant English-language care labels stating fibre content, country of origin, and care instructions before Australian Border Force clearance. If the shipment includes childrens knitted nightwear or onesies, AS/NZS 1249 flammability test reports from an accredited laboratory must be held prior to import.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 61

Compliance requirements

⚠Verify no anti-dumping measures apply to your specific knitted garment lines via the Anti-Dumping Commission register before shipment.
⚠Ensure all garments carry compliant English-language labels stating fibre content, Sri Lanka origin, and care instructions.
⚠A GSP Form A from Sri Lanka confers no duty benefit in Australia; do not rely on it to reduce MFN tariff liability.
⚠All garments sold in Australia must comply with mandatory care labelling standards under Australian Consumer Law — labels must state fibre content, country of origin, and care instructions in English; non-compliance can trigger ABF detention and ACCC enforcement
⚠Children's nightwear (including knitted pyjamas and onesies) must meet flammability requirements under AS/NZS 1249 — importers must hold test reports from accredited laboratories before clearance
⚠Anti-dumping measures are active on certain knitted garments from specific origins — check the Anti-Dumping Commission register before shipment as duties can exceed 30% and apply retrospectively
⚠Country of origin claims on garments are heavily scrutinised; fabric knitted in one country but cut and sewn in another may not qualify as origin of the finishing country for FTA preferential rates or consumer labelling purposes
⚠No import permit is generally required, but biosecurity risk is low for new garments; however, second-hand or used knitted clothing requires DAFF biosecurity assessment and may require treatment or be refused entry
⚠No FTA exists between Australia and Sri Lanka, so MFN (general) tariff rates apply to all goods. A commercial invoice and packing list are required, and importers should confirm the correct tariff classification to avoid overpaying or underpaying duty.
⚠Goods of Sri Lankan origin do not qualify for preferential tariff treatment under any Australian FTA. A formal certificate of origin such as a GSP Form A may still be presented for record-keeping but confers no duty reduction benefit under Australian customs law.
⚠Biosecurity requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015 are strictly enforced. Goods such as timber products, coir fibre, natural rubber items, dried spices and tea must be accompanied by appropriate phytosanitary certificates and may be subject to inspection or treatment on arrival by the Australian Border Force and DAFF.
⚠Apparel and footwear from Sri Lanka, which are major export categories, must comply with the Australian Consumer Law mandatory care labelling and fibre content disclosure requirements. Electrical goods must meet ACMA regulatory compliance mark obligations and relevant Australian standards under the Electrical Equipment Safety System.

Key documents required

commercial invoice with full fibre composition breakdown per SKU and country of manufacture
bill of lading or airway bill
packing list with carton-level detail including garment sizes and quantities
laboratory test reports for children's nightwear flammability (AS/NZS 1249) and any restricted substance testing (REACH or Oeko-Tex accepted as supporting evidence)
Certificate of Origin (Form E for ChAFTA, back-to-back or AANZ origin declaration for AANZFTA) to claim preferential tariff rates

Import tip

Pre-populate your tariff classification at the 10-digit statistical code level and include the exact fibre composition percentages on the commercial invoice — ABF commonly queries mismatches between declared composition and garment labels, and resolving this post-arrival causes costly storage delays.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 61 goods from Sri Lanka — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Sri Lanka

Ch.62Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted Ch.64Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles Ch.9Coffee, tea, maté and spices Ch.3Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates Ch.63Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags Ch.42Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silk-worm gut)