Importing Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof from United States into Australia (2026)

Chapter 84 machinery from the USA can attract a zero or reduced preferential tariff rate under AUSFTA using a self-certified origin declaration or importer knowledge of origin, but electrical and motor-driven plant must also satisfy ACMA RCM registration before arrival to avoid ABF holds that negate any duty savings.

✓ FTA Active: AUSFTAHS Chapter 84

Free Trade Agreement

Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 84 goods originating in United States may qualify for preferential duty rates under AUSFTA. Goods must meet the rules of origin and be accompanied by a valid certificate of origin.

View AUSFTA rates and requirements →

Compliance requirements

⚠Retain US origin evidence for 5 years to support AUSFTA preference claims on ABF request.
⚠Register all electrical or motor-driven machinery with ACMA as RCM responsible supplier before shipment.
⚠Book DAFF biosecurity inspection early for used or second-hand machinery to avoid release delays.
⚠Used or second-hand machinery requires a DAFF biosecurity inspection and may require cleaning or fumigation treatment before release — budget extra time and cost, particularly for soil-contaminated plant from Asia or the Americas
⚠Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment containing HFCs or HCFCs requires an Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) licence for handling and an ODS/SGG import permit from the Department of Climate Change under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act before shipment
⚠Electrical machinery and equipment (including motor-driven plant) intended for sale or supply in Australia must meet ACMA regulatory compliance mark (RCM) requirements — failing to register responsible suppliers with ACMA before import can result in ABF holds and costly recalls
⚠Energy-using products covered by the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act — including commercial refrigeration units, air compressors and certain pumps — must meet minimum energy performance standards and carry correct labelling before being offered for sale; non-compliant stock can be seized at the border
⚠Anti-dumping measures currently apply to certain steel-component machinery and aluminium extrusion equipment from China; check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission's measure register before finalising supplier contracts as dumping duties can add 5–40% to landed cost
⚠A self-certified origin declaration or importers knowledge of origin is accepted under AUSFTA to claim preferential tariff rates - no formal certificate of origin is mandated but evidence must be retained for 5 years and available on ABF request
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures administered by the Anti-Dumping Commission apply to certain US-origin goods including some steel pipe and hollow sections - importers must check the current measures register before lodging entries
⚠Biosecurity Act 2015 imposes strict requirements on US agricultural goods, timber, machinery with soil or organic material, and animal products - BICON conditions must be checked and permits obtained prior to import, with on-arrival inspection likely for risk goods
⚠Electrical and electronic goods must comply with the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) and ACMA RCM marking requirements - US products designed to 110V/60Hz standards may require voltage conversion compliance evidence before sale in Australia

Key documents required

commercial invoice detailing full technical description, model and serial numbers, country of origin and manufacturer name
bill of lading or airwaybill
packing list with gross and net weights and dimensions (critical for ABF and DAFF inspection scheduling)
manufacturer's certificate of origin (in prescribed FTA format where preferential tariff rate is being claimed under ChAFTA, AUSFTA or RCEP)
ODS/SGG import permit (where applicable for refrigerant-charged equipment) and ACMA RCM supplier registration evidence or equivalency test report for electrical machinery

Import tip

Request the manufacturer's technical datasheet and confirm the correct 8-digit HS tariff subheading with your broker before the shipment leaves origin — reclassification of machinery at the border (e.g. between 8479, 8428 or chapter 73/94) is a common ABF audit trigger and can delay clearance by days while also affecting whether your FTA certificate covers the correct tariff line.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 84 goods from United States — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from United States

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.88Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof Ch.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof Ch.30Pharmaceutical products Ch.90Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof Ch.38Miscellaneous chemical products