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

Australia has no FTA with Sri Lanka, meaning all Chapter 9 goods such as Ceylon tea, cinnamon, and cloves attract full MFN duty rates with no tariff concession available; importers must also secure DAFF biosecurity import permits via BICON before shipment, as plant-based spices and unprocessed teas are high-risk goods subject to mandatory inspection or treatment on arrival.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 9

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain BICON import permit for all plant-based spices and teas before the vessel departs Sri Lanka.
⚠Ensure commercial invoices describe each product precisely — vague terms like 'mixed spices' trigger biosecurity holds.
⚠Apply full MFN duty rates at entry lodgement; GSP Form A from Sri Lanka confers zero tariff benefit in Australia.
⚠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 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 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 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.61Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted Ch.64Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles 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)