Importing Iron and steel from South Africa into Australia (2026)

No FTA exists between Australia and South Africa, so full MFN duty rates apply to all Chapter 72 iron and steel imports; critically, importers must check the Anti-Dumping Commission public register before lodging entries, as active measures may apply to specific steel products from South African origins.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 72

Compliance requirements

⚠Check ABF Anti-Dumping Commission register for any active measures on your specific steel product before shipment.
⚠Obtain detailed mill certificates confirming grade, origin, and composition to satisfy ABF documentary requirements at border.
⚠Verify structural or pressure-vessel steel meets applicable Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3678 or AS 1163) prior to import.
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are a major risk for Chapter 72 — Australia has active measures on hot-rolled steel coil, rebar, and other products from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and other origins; always check the ABF Anti-Dumping Commission register before importing
⚠Steel products used in certain structural or pressure-vessel applications may need to comply with Australian Standards (e.g. AS/NZS 3678, AS 1163) and failure to declare non-conforming grades can trigger hold or seizure at the border
⚠Rebar and structural steel from some origins are subject to both dumping duty and countervailing duty simultaneously — importers must provide detailed mill certificates and country-of-origin evidence to correctly calculate landed cost
⚠DAFF biosecurity requirements apply to steel arriving with residual soil, biological material, or timber dunnage/packaging — ensure goods are clean and declare all packaging materials accurately to avoid treatment or destruction orders
⚠The Australian Steel Institute and some state government procurement policies require domestic preference for certain public infrastructure projects, which can affect whether imported steel may be used on government-funded contracts even if customs-cleared
⚠No FTA exists between Australia and South Africa, so MFN (general) duty rates apply to all imports; a commercial invoice with accurate country of origin declaration is required for tariff classification purposes but no preferential origin certificate is needed
⚠Anti-dumping and countervailing measures administered by the Anti-Dumping Commission may apply to certain steel and aluminium products from South Africa; importers should check the public register prior to lodging entries to avoid unexpected duty liabilities
⚠Biosecurity requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015 are strictly enforced for South African goods including fresh fruit, timber, plant material, animal products and soil-contaminated machinery; import permits, phytosanitary certificates and mandatory treatment or inspection on arrival are commonly required given South Africas pest and disease risk profile
⚠Electrical and electronic goods must comply with Australian mandatory safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards under the Electrical Equipment Safety System and ACMA frameworks; products such as appliances, cables and switchgear require supplier declarations of conformity and may need registration on the EESS database before being offered for sale in Australia

Key documents required

commercial invoice with full mill details, steel grade, chemical composition, and dimensions
mill test certificate (MTC) confirming compliance with nominated standard (e.g. AS/NZS, ASTM, EN, JIS)
bill of lading or sea waybill
certificate of origin (essential for FTA preferential rate claims and anti-dumping origin verification)
Anti-Dumping Commission show cause notice response documentation (if goods are subject to an investigation or interim measures)

Import tip

Always obtain the mill test certificate before shipment departs — ABF and the Anti-Dumping Commission frequently request this document to verify origin and grade, and delays in producing it post-arrival can result in costly storage charges at the wharf while goods are held pending assessment.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 72 goods from South Africa — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

Calculate Landed Cost Find HS Code with AI

Other product categories imported from South Africa

Ch.71Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin Ch.26Ores, slag and ash Ch.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof Ch.22Beverages, spirits and vinegar Ch.8Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons Ch.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof