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

Importing Chapter 87 vehicles and parts from Thailand under AANZFTA requires a valid Form AI Certificate of Origin meeting Change in Tariff Classification or Regional Value Content thresholds to access preferential duty rates, while simultaneously satisfying Motor Vehicle Standards Act 2018 approval requirements and DAFF biosecurity inspection standards before border clearance will be granted.

✓ FTA Active: AANZFTAHS Chapter 87

Free Trade Agreement

ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 87 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 shipment.
⚠Confirm RVCA registration or secure RAW/Concessional RAV approval for all road vehicles prior to Australian arrival.
⚠Ensure used vehicles and parts are cleaned to clean, dry and free of contamination standard to avoid costly DAFF border treatment.
⚠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 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

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 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.16Preparations of meat, of fish, of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or of insects 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