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Importing Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles from South Africa into Australia (2026)

No Australia-South Africa FTA exists, so full MFN duty rates apply to all Chapter 85 electrical goods; the most critical compliance obligation is ensuring products are registered on the EESS portal and carry a valid RCM mark before Australian Border Force clearance, as non-compliant goods are liable to seizure regardless of correct tariff classification.

No FTA — MFN rates applyHS Chapter 85

Compliance requirements

  • ⚠Register all Level 3 electrical products (e.g. chargers, power supplies) with a Recognised External Certification Body before shipment departs South Africa.
  • ⚠Confirm any Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular-enabled devices carry a compliant RCM mark under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 prior to lodging the import entry.
  • ⚠Declare country of origin as South Africa on the commercial invoice and verify no Anti-Dumping Commission measures apply to any aluminium or steel components within the goods.
  • ⚠All electrical goods sold or supplied in Australia must comply with the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS); responsible suppliers must register products and themselves on the EESS portal before import or sale, with Level 3 equipment (e.g. power supplies, chargers) requiring certification by a Recognised External Certification Body (RECB)
  • ⚠ACMA regulates radiofrequency devices including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular products — these must comply with the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and carry a compliant RCM mark; importing non-compliant RF devices can result in ABF seizure at the border
  • ⚠Solar panels and inverters are subject to the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved product list requirements for any installation claiming Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the RET scheme — products not on the CEC list lose rebate eligibility, which directly affects resale value
  • ⚠Lithium battery shipments are subject to IATA/IMDG dangerous goods regulations for air and sea freight; misclassification of state of charge or watt-hour ratings is a common compliance failure that triggers re-inspection and delays at Australian ports
  • ⚠Anti-dumping measures are actively maintained on certain goods including aluminium extrusions and solar panels originating from China — importers should check the Anti-Dumping Commission's public register as dumping duties can add 5–40% to landed cost and apply retrospectively during investigation periods
  • ⚠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 technical specifications including model number, wattage, voltage, and country of manufacture
  • EESS supplier registration confirmation and product registration certificate (for in-scope electrical equipment)
  • RCM Declaration of Conformity and test reports from an accredited laboratory (for RF and electrical products)
  • certificate of origin (mandatory for FTA preferential tariff claims, e.g. Form E for ChAFTA, back-to-back COO for RCEP)
  • dangerous goods declaration and MSDS/SDS for lithium battery shipments

Import tip

When importing solar inverters or battery systems that may be subject to both EESS registration and CEC listing requirements, engage a compliance consultant before the shipment departs — retrofitting compliance documentation after goods arrive in a bonded warehouse is significantly more expensive than pre-shipment testing, and ABF can direct destruction of non-compliant goods.

Calculate the total landed cost for Chapter 85 goods from South Africa — duty, GST, IPC, and biosecurity included.

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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; coinCh.26Ores, slag and ashCh.72Iron and steelCh.84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereofCh.22Beverages, spirits and vinegarCh.8Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons