Importing Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons from South Africa into Australia (2026)

South Africa is a significant exporter of citrus fruit to Australia, but with no FTA in place MFN duty rates apply, and all fresh fruit lines must satisfy DAFF BICON pathway conditions — including potential mandatory cold treatment or fumigation — before Australian biosecurity clearance will be granted.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 8

Compliance requirements

⚠Check BICON before contracting: South African citrus pathways may require approved offshore cold treatment facilities.
⚠Ensure all timber packing materials are ISPM15 certified to avoid costly onshore treatment or consignment holds.
⚠Declare country of origin accurately on the commercial invoice as no preferential certificate is required or available.
⚠All fresh fruit and nuts require a valid DAFF Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) permit or must meet strict pathway conditions — many fresh fruit lines (e.g. fresh citrus, mangoes) require an Approved Arrangement facility and may be subject to mandatory offshore or onshore treatment such as cold treatment or methyl bromide fumigation
⚠Fresh produce from certain origins is subject to Import Permit requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015 — importers must check BICON before contracting supply, as some pathways (e.g. fresh mango from the Philippines) have highly specific seasonal and systems work requirements that can delay or block shipments
⚠Wooden packing materials (pallets, crates) must comply with ISPM15 heat treatment or fumigation standards — non-compliant timber can result in full consignment holds and treatment costs at importer expense
⚠Country of origin labelling under Australian Consumer Law (enforced by the ACCC) requires fresh produce sold at retail to display origin — importers acting as first domestic sellers must ensure carton and point-of-sale labelling is compliant before distribution
⚠Anti-dumping measures are not currently a major feature of Chapter 8, but importers of canned or processed fruit should verify with the Anti-Dumping Commission as processed lines (e.g. canned peaches or pears historically) have attracted measures — always check the current register before finalising supplier contracts
⚠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 declared country of origin, full botanical description, and net/gross weight
phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organisation (NPPO) of the exporting country — mandatory for virtually all fresh fruit and many dried/processed lines
BICON import permit or evidence of meeting BICON pathway conditions (treatment certificates, systems work documentation)
cold treatment or fumigation treatment certificate where required by the relevant BICON pathway (e.g. cold treatment record for table grapes)
bill of lading or airway bill, plus packing list detailing variety, quantity, and pack sizes for biosecurity inspection purposes

Import tip

Lodge your biosecurity import declaration and treatment documentation through the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) well before vessel arrival — DAFF inspections are risk-targeted and having complete, pre-lodged phytosanitary and treatment records on file significantly reduces the chance of a hold or directed inspection that delays perishable cargo and drives up storage costs.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 8 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.72Iron and steel Ch.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof Ch.22Beverages, spirits and vinegar Ch.87Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof