Importing Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement from Pakistan into Australia (2026)

Australia has no FTA with Pakistan, so all Chapter 25 mineral and salt imports attract MFN tariff rates and require non-preferential origin documentation; the most critical compliance obligation for this combination is ensuring DAFF biosecurity clearance for unprocessed mineral products and, where sulphur is included, full IMDG Class 4.1 dangerous goods compliance from the point of Pakistani export through to Australian port arrival.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 25

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain a non-preferential certificate of origin or certified commercial invoice confirming Pakistani origin for all Chapter 25 shipments.
⚠Declare sulphur consignments under IMDG Class 4.1 and ensure shipping and storage documents reflect dangerous goods classification.
⚠Lodge a DAFF biosecurity assessment prior to arrival for clays, soils or unprocessed minerals that may carry organic matter contamination.
⚠Many Chapter 25 goods are bulk minerals and subject to DAFF biosecurity assessment — soil, clay and unprocessed mineral products may require an import permit or treatment if contaminated with organic matter or soil residues
⚠Sulphur imports require dangerous goods compliance under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Class 4.1 for solid sulphur); shipping and storage documentation must reflect this classification
⚠Salt imported for human food use must comply with FSANZ Food Standards Code and may require Food Import Compliance Agreement (FICA) registration with DAFF if the importer is a frequent commercial food importer
⚠Cement and cementitious products imported from certain origins (notably China and Taiwan) have been subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures — importers must check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission register before each shipment as measures and duty rates change
⚠Talc intended for cosmetic or pharmaceutical use may trigger TGA oversight if the product is classified as an industrial chemical under AICIS — confirm end-use category early to determine whether AICIS registration or TGA listing applies before the goods arrive
⚠No FTA exists between Australia and Pakistan, so MFN (general) tariff rates apply to all goods. A non-preferential certificate of origin or commercial documentation confirming Pakistani origin is recommended for tariff classification and trade statistical purposes.
⚠Textiles, apparel and made-up textile articles from Pakistan must comply with Australian Consumer Law mandatory fibre content and care labelling requirements under the Trade Measurement Act. Mislabelled or uncertified goods risk detention or rejection by Border Force.
⚠Biosecurity risk is elevated for goods such as raw cotton, seeds, spices, dried plant material and natural stone. An import permit may be required and goods are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection on arrival, with potential treatment or re-export costs if non-compliant.
⚠Leather footwear, surgical instruments and sporting goods (notably cricket equipment) must meet applicable Australian product safety standards. Importers should retain supplier compliance documentation and be aware that the ACCC conducts market surveillance that can trigger mandatory recalls or penalty notices.

Key documents required

commercial invoice with precise chemical or mineralogical description, origin and end-use statement
bill of lading or airway bill
DAFF biosecurity import conditions printout (from BICON database) and any applicable import permit
certificate of origin (manufacturer-issued or Form of Declaration for ChAFTA/RCEP preferential rate claims)
material safety data sheet (SDS) for sulphur, chemical-grade minerals and any goods classified as dangerous goods

Import tip

For bulk mineral shipments, commissioning an independent pre-shipment survey report confirming moisture content, weight and chemical grade not only satisfies cargo insurance requirements but also pre-empts ABF queries about valuation and classification — it is far cheaper than a compliance audit after arrival.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 25 goods from Pakistan — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Pakistan

Ch.62Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted Ch.61Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted Ch.63Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags Ch.57Carpets and other textile floor coverings Ch.52Cotton Ch.64Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles