Importing Preparations of meat, of fish, of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or of insects from Thailand into Australia (2026)

Thailand is a major exporter of canned and processed seafood and meat preparations, and importers can access preferential AANZFTA duty rates by securing a valid Form AI Certificate of Origin from the Thai exporter, but must simultaneously satisfy DAFF biosecurity import conditions including heat treatment documentation and, where applicable, an Import Permit under the Biosecurity Act 2015 for products containing poultry or other animal proteins from Newcastle disease or foot-and-mouth disease risk regions.

✓ FTA Active: AANZFTAHS Chapter 16

Free Trade Agreement

ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 16 goods originating in Thailand may qualify for preferential duty rates under AANZFTA. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View AANZFTA rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Obtain Form AI Certificate of Origin from Thai exporter confirming AANZFTA Rules of Origin are met before lodging the import entry.
⚠Verify DAFF import permit requirements and secure retort process records or Thai government-endorsed heat treatment certificates prior to shipment arrival.
⚠Ensure retail packaging meets FSANZ Standard 1.2.11 country of origin labelling rules, disclosing Thai origin of major meat or seafood ingredients.
⚠All meat and seafood preparations must meet DAFF biosecurity import conditions — many products require an Import Permit under the Biosecurity Act 2015, especially those containing beef, pork or poultry from foot-and-mouth disease or Newcastle disease risk countries
⚠Heat treatment evidence is critical: DAFF requires documentation proving the product reached a minimum internal temperature (e.g., 70°C for 30 minutes for most canned meats) — retort process records or a government-endorsed certificate from the exporting country are frequently requested
⚠Country of origin labelling under the Australian Food and Grocery Code and FSANZ Standard 1.2.11 is strictly enforced — products sold retail must clearly disclose origin of major ingredients, and non-compliance can trigger ACCC action
⚠FSANZ food standards apply at the border: additives, preservatives and salt/sodium levels in preparations must comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and ABF may refer consignments to state food authorities for testing if labelling is inconsistent
⚠Anti-dumping measures are active in this chapter — canned tomatoes from Italy and certain preserved seafood lines have historically attracted dumping duties; check the Australian Border Force Anti-Dumping Commission register before lodging to avoid unexpected duty liability
⚠A Form AI Certificate of Origin or back-to-back Certificate of Origin must be obtained from the Thai exporter to claim preferential AANZFTA duty rates, and must meet the AANZFTA Rules of Origin including the Change in Tariff Classification or Regional Value Content thresholds
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duties apply to certain Thai goods including hollow structural steel sections and some aluminium extrusions - importers must check the ABF Dumping Commodities Register before lodging import entries
⚠All electrical and electronic goods must comply with Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) standards and the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS), with mandatory supplier declarations and product registration required before entry into the Australian market
⚠Thai food products including canned seafood, processed fruit and rice are subject to FSANZ food standards labelling requirements, and any goods containing timber, plant material or animal products require biosecurity assessment under the Biosecurity Act 2015 with possible treatment or inspection on arrival

Key documents required

commercial invoice with full product description including species name, preparation method and net drained weight
Import Permit issued by DAFF (mandatory for most meat-containing preparations and required prior to shipment arrival)
Health or veterinary certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country, endorsed to Australian requirements
Manufacturer's retort/heat treatment records or processing attestation confirming compliance with DAFF cooking requirements
Certificate of Origin (preferably on approved FTA form such as AANZ Form AK or ChAFTA CO) to access preferential tariff rates

Import tip

Apply for the DAFF Import Permit well before the shipment is produced — permits for meat-containing preparations can take 4–8 weeks to issue and cannot be backdated, so a vessel arriving without a valid permit will face mandatory re-export or destruction at the importer's cost.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 16 goods from Thailand — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from Thailand

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.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof Ch.39Plastics and articles thereof Ch.64Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles Ch.94Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; luminaires and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings