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

Importing Chapter 87 road vehicles from Mexico allows importers to claim CPTPP preferential tariff rates, but a valid Certificate of Origin or approved exporter origin declaration must be held at time of entry alongside mandatory MVSA approval confirmation — either an existing RVCA listing or a RAW/Concessional RAV entry approval obtained before border clearance.

✓ FTA Active: CPTPPHS Chapter 87

Free Trade Agreement

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Chapter 87 goods originating in Mexico may qualify for preferential duty rates under CPTPP. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View CPTPP rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain a CPTPP Certificate of Origin or Mexican approved exporter origin declaration before lodging the import declaration.
⚠Confirm the vehicle appears on the RVCA register or secure RAW/Concessional RAV approval prior to shipment departure from Mexico.
⚠Ensure used vehicles meet the clean, dry and free of contamination standard to avoid costly DAFF biosecurity treatment 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 CPTPP Certificate of Origin or Origin Declaration must be held at time of import to claim preferential tariff rates; self-declaration by approved exporters is accepted under CPTPP rules
⚠Electrical and electronic goods from Mexico must meet ACMA regulatory compliance labelling requirements and relevant Australian Communications and Media Authority technical standards before being sold or used in Australia
⚠Biosecurity declarations and potential inspection are mandatory for goods containing timber, leather, plant-based materials or food products, with DAFF biosecurity risk assessments applying particularly to Mexican agricultural and processed food imports
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures administered by the Anti-Dumping Commission may apply to certain steel, aluminium and manufactured goods from Mexico, and importers should check the measures register prior to lodging entries

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 Mexico — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Mexico

Ch.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts 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.22Beverages, spirits and vinegar Ch.61Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted Ch.64Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles Ch.39Plastics and articles thereof