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Importing Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof from United States into Australia (2026)

US-origin Chapter 90 medical and precision instruments can attract a preferential 0% tariff rate under AUSFTA using a self-certified origin declaration, but TGA-ARTG registration remains a hard border requirement that AUSFTA concessions do not override — unregistered therapeutic devices will be seized by ABF regardless of FTA status.

✓ FTA Active: AUSFTAHS Chapter 90

Free Trade Agreement

Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement

Chapter 90 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 supplier origin declaration for 5 years to support AUSFTA preferential tariff claims on ABF request.
  • ⚠Verify ARTG registration is active for any therapeutic or diagnostic instrument before booking the shipment.
  • ⚠Confirm RCM compliance or a valid supplier declaration exists for electrical measuring instruments before lodging the import entry.
  • ⚠Most therapeutic medical devices (ultrasound, X-ray, diagnostic instruments) must be registered on the ARTG via the TGA before importation — absence of ARTG entry can result in ABF seizure at the border
  • ⚠Radiation-emitting devices such as dental X-ray units, lasers, and UV instruments may require state/territory radiation safety authority approval (e.g., ARPANSA or state equivalents) in addition to TGA registration
  • ⚠Electrical measuring and test instruments intended for use in Australia must comply with ACMA electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrical safety standards; a Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) or supplier declaration is required for listed equipment
  • ⚠Biological reference materials, calibration fluids of animal origin, or instruments shipped with organic packing material are subject to DAFF biosecurity inspection and may require an import permit under the Biosecurity Act 2015
  • ⚠Some precision optical and dual-use instruments (e.g., night-vision devices, certain laser rangefinders, infrared cameras) may be controlled goods under the Defence Export Controls framework (DECO) and require an import permit under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
  • ⚠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 with full technical description, model number, and intended end-use
  • bill of lading or airway bill
  • TGA ARTG certificate or registration number (for therapeutic medical devices)
  • manufacturer's certificate of conformity or CE/FDA declaration (supports TGA and ABF classification evidence)
  • ACMA RCM supplier declaration or test report (for electrical/electronic instruments)
  • import permit from DECO or state radiation authority where applicable

Import tip

Securing TGA ARTG registration before the shipment departs — not after it arrives — is the single biggest time-saver in this chapter; ABF will not release a medical device consignment without a valid ARTG entry and customs brokers cannot retrospectively obtain one while goods sit in a bonded warehouse accruing storage costs.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 90 goods from United States — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed CostFind HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from United States

Ch.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereofCh.85Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articlesCh.88Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereofCh.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereofCh.30Pharmaceutical productsCh.38Miscellaneous chemical products