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

No Australia-Portugal FTA exists, so all Chapter 87 vehicles and parts attract MFN tariff rates; the most critical compliance obligation for this combination is ensuring MVSA approval (RAW or Concessional RAV entry) is secured before shipment departs Portugal, as clearance will not be granted without it.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 87

Compliance requirements

⚠Confirm RVCA registration or obtain RAW/Concessional RAV entry approval before the vehicle leaves Portugal.
⚠Ensure used vehicles meet the clean, dry and free of contamination standard to avoid costly DAFF border treatment.
⚠Obtain a commercial invoice clearly stating Portuguese origin to support MFN tariff classification 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
⚠No FTA exists between Australia and Portugal so MFN (general) tariff rates apply to all imports; a commercial invoice or EUR.1 movement certificate may be required to confirm non-preferential origin for tariff classification purposes
⚠Electrical and electronic goods including machinery must comply with Australian safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards and may require ACMA registration or RCM marking before being placed on the Australian market
⚠Timber, cork products (Chapter 44 and 45), wine, olive oil and other organic or plant-based goods are subject to strict DAFF biosecurity inspection and may require a valid phytosanitary certificate issued by Portuguese authorities prior to export
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures administered by the ABF should be checked for relevant steel, aluminium and ceramic tile products of EU origin, as Portugal-origin goods falling within active measures will attract additional duties on top of MFN rates

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

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Portugal

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.44Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal Ch.64Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles Ch.22Beverages, spirits and vinegar Ch.39Plastics and articles thereof