# Sourcing from India and China for Australian brands > Australian duty on goods from India, China and Vietnam as of September 2026: ECTA zero duty, ChAFTA and CPTPP, plus ACCC standards, EESS and asbestos rules. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/markets/australia/ Market guide · Australia # Sourcing from India and China for Australian brands. For Australian brands, all three sourcing countries now have a preferential route: Indian goods have entered duty-free on every tariff line since 1 January 2026 under the India–Australia ECTA, Chinese goods use ChAFTA, and Vietnamese goods use CPTPP, AANZFTA or RCEP. With duty largely equal, the decision comes down to factory capability, compliance evidence and freight. [Get a free teardown in 48 hours](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=market-au) See the duty picture 1 Jan 2026 100% of lines duty-free for India ~500 nuisance tariffs abolished in 2024 FOB basis for Australian customs value Duty snapshot · checked 28 September 2026 **Goods into Australia** * _IN_ India **0% on all lines (ECTA)** In force * _CN_ China **ChAFTA preferences** In force * _VN_ Vietnam **CPTPP · AANZFTA · RCEP** In force Full duty picture and sources ↓ 1. Duty 2. Compliance 3. Shipping 4. India or China 5. How we help 6. Sources 7. FAQ The short answer ## What Australian buyers need to know. As of 28 September 2026. Checked against official sources. 1. 01 The **India–Australia ECTA** has applied since 29 December 2022, and from **1 January 2026** all Australian tariff lines are **zero-duty** for Indian-origin goods. 2. 02 **China** uses the **China–Australia FTA** (and RCEP); **Vietnam** uses **CPTPP** , **AANZFTA** or **RCEP**. Australia also abolished almost 500 “nuisance” tariffs on 1 July 2024. 3. 03 Compliance is where shipments get stopped: **ACCC mandatory standards** , **EESS/RCM** for electrical goods, and **zero tolerance for asbestos** at the border. 1 · Duty picture ## What you pay at the border. As of 28 September 2026. Every rate depends on the product’s HS code, so treat this as the map and check your own codes before you order. ### How duty works in Australia * Customs duty is calculated on the FOB value: international freight and insurance are not part of the Australian customs value. GST of 10% is then charged on the value of the taxable importation. * Most goods now enter duty-free, either under a free trade agreement or because the general rate is free; almost 500 low-revenue “nuisance” tariffs were abolished from 1 July 2024. * Preferences need the right origin evidence for each agreement. Anti-dumping and countervailing duties still apply to some goods (steel and aluminium products among them), whatever the FTA. In flux · watch this * Australia and India are negotiating a broader Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement; goods tariffs for India are already at zero, so any change will mostly affect services and rules. * ACCC mandatory standards are updated regularly (toys and button batteries have recent changes). Check the standard in force on the date of supply, not the date of order. IN From India ### 0% on every line * In force India–Australia ECTA in force since 29 December 2022. From 1 January 2026, 100% of Australian tariff lines are zero-duty for Indian-origin goods. * In force Claim with ECTA proof of origin; the goods must meet the ECTA rules of origin. CN From China ### ChAFTA preferences * In force The China–Australia FTA gives preferential, mostly zero, rates on Chinese-origin goods with a valid origin claim. RCEP is an alternative route. * In force Anti-dumping measures apply to specific Chinese products; check them before ordering steel, aluminium and some building products. VN From Vietnam ### CPTPP · AANZFTA · RCEP * In force Three agreements cover Vietnamese goods; importers use the one whose rules of origin the product meets. ### Agreements and measures that apply * **India–Australia ECTA** Australia and India In forceSince 29 Dec 2022 All Australian tariff lines at zero for Indian goods from 1 January 2026. * **China–Australia FTA (ChAFTA)** Australia and China In forceIn force Preferential rates for Chinese-origin goods with origin evidence. * **CPTPP, AANZFTA and RCEP** Australia, Vietnam and others In forceIn force Three preference routes for Vietnamese goods. * **Nuisance tariff reform** Australia (unilateral) In forceSince 1 Jul 2024 Almost 500 low-revenue tariffs abolished. Model it for your product: [Find the HS code](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/hs-code-finder/) [Compare landed cost](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) 2 · Product compliance ## The rules your product has to meet. Australia’s rules are enforced at the border and in the market; the evidence has to exist before the goods arrive. ACCC ### Mandatory safety and information standards Toys for children up to 36 months, products containing button or coin batteries, and dozens of other product types must meet mandatory standards, many of which reference AS/NZS or international standards. Suppliers must be able to show compliance. Batteries ### Button and coin batteries Products containing button or coin batteries need secure battery compartments, compliance testing and warnings under the mandatory safety and information standards. Electrical ### EESS and the RCM In-scope electrical equipment must carry the RCM, the responsible supplier (an Australian or New Zealand business) must be registered on the national database, and higher-risk equipment must be registered with a certificate of conformity. Border ### Asbestos: zero tolerance Goods containing asbestos are prohibited imports. Importers must be able to show that goods do not contain asbestos; this is a known risk for building products, gaskets and some mineral-based goods. Packaging ### Timber and wood packaging Wooden pallets and crates need biosecurity-compliant treatment and marking; ask your supplier for ISPM 15-marked wood packaging. 3 · Getting goods there ## Sea lanes, transit times and Incoterms. Indicative port-to-port planning ranges, not a carrier schedule. Transhipment, blank sailings and routing change them; confirm with the carrier at booking. * Ningbo / ShanghaiSydney / Melbourne **14–22** days Direct services * Nhava Sheva / MundraSydney / Melbourne **25–35** days Usually transhipped at Colombo, Singapore or Port Klang * ChennaiSydney / Melbourne / Fremantle **20–30** days Transhipped in South-East Asia ### Incoterms norms * FOB (named port) is the natural term for Australia because customs value is FOB: freight and insurance are outside the duty base. * FCA for LCL and air; avoid EXW in India, where the Indian exporter must clear the goods for export. * Import on your own ABN and use a licensed customs broker; ask the supplier for FTA origin evidence with every shipment. [Pick a term with the Incoterms advisor](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/incoterms-advisor/) 4 · India or China ## Which country suits which product. Because duty is at or near zero from all three countries, quality, compliance evidence and lead time decide most sourcing moves for Australian brands. IN ### Strong from India [About sourcing from India](https://sourcesquid.co/india/) * **Apparel, home textiles and rugs** Zero duty under ECTA and deep cotton supply chains. * **Metal parts, castings and fabrications** Engineering clusters for mining, agriculture and construction equipment parts. * **Furniture, décor and leather goods** Solid-wood furniture, metal décor and bags from specialist clusters. CN ### Strong from China [About sourcing from China](https://sourcesquid.co/china/) * **Electronics and electrical goods** Broad supplier base with EESS and RCM experience. * **Building and hardware products** Large range, but asbestos testing and anti-dumping checks are essential. * **Toys, plastics and household goods** Tooling speed, with ACCC standards built into the test plan. Running both? [Plan a China + 1 second source](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/china-plus-one/) 5 · How SourceSquid helps ## From duty map to landed container. Our teams in Bengaluru and Ningbo find, audit and inspect factories for Australian brands buying from India and China, and collect the evidence your market asks for. USD 390 · named factories ### [Supplier shortlist](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/) Named manufacturers in India and China, checked by calls, matched to Australian requirements. Free tool ### [Landed cost calculator](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) Factory price, freight, duty and taxes side by side, so you compare lanes, not quotes. Free tool ### [HS code finder](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/hs-code-finder/) Find the likely HS code first; every duty rate on this page depends on it. USD 490 per supplier ### [FTA duty-saver audit](https://sourcesquid.co/services/fta-duty-saver/) Rules of origin checked at the factory, up to 5 HS lines, so your zero-duty claim is defensible. From USD 229 per person-day ### [Inspections and audits](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/) In-line, pre-shipment and loading inspections by our own team in India and China. Compliance ### [Test advisor](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/test-advisor/) The Australian rules above turned into a supplier evidence list, collected at the factory. Sources ## Where these facts come from Checked on 28 September 2026 and refreshed monthly. Official government, customs and EU sources first; commentary is named as such. This page explains the rules in plain English. For a view on your own products, ask our team or your customs broker. 1. [News On AIR: zero duty on 100% of Australian tariff lines for Indian exports from 1 January 2026](https://www.newsonair.gov.in/commerce-minister-piyush-goyal-announces-zero-duty-on-100-per-cent-australian-tariff-lines-from-january-1) 2. [DFAT: using ECTA to do business with India](https://dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/in-force/australia-india-ecta/using-ecta-do-business-india) 3. [DFAT: CPTPP](https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/in-force/cptpp/comprehensive-and-progressive-agreement-for-trans-pacific-partnership) 4. [Treasury Ministers: tariff reform to cut costs for businesses (nuisance tariffs)](https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/tariff-reform-cut-costs-businesses-and-boost) 5. [ABF: valuation of imported goods (fact sheet)](https://www.abf.gov.au/imports/files/fact-sheets/fs-value-imported-goods.pdf) 6. [ACCC Product Safety: toys for children up to 36 months mandatory standard](https://www.productsafety.gov.au/business/search-mandatory-standards/toys-for-children-up-to-and-including-36-months-of-age-mandatory-standard) 7. [ACCC Product Safety: button and coin batteries mandatory standards](https://www.productsafety.gov.au/business/search-mandatory-standards/button-and-coin-batteries-mandatory-standards) 8. [EESS: Electrical Equipment Safety Scheme](https://www.eess.gov.au/) 9. [ABF: prohibited goods, asbestos](https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/asbestos) Australia buyer questions ## Straight answers. Checked on 28 September 2026. We update this guide when duties or rules move. [anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co) ### Are Indian goods duty-free in Australia? Yes. Under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), all Australian tariff lines have been zero-duty for Indian-origin goods since 1 January 2026, provided the goods meet the ECTA rules of origin and the claim is supported by proof of origin. ### What duty do Chinese goods pay in Australia? Chinese-origin goods can use the China–Australia FTA or RCEP, which give preferential, mostly zero, rates with a valid origin claim. Anti-dumping or countervailing duties can still apply to specific products such as some steel and aluminium goods. ### Is Australian customs duty calculated on FOB or CIF? On FOB. International freight and insurance are not part of the Australian customs value. GST of 10% is then charged on the value of the taxable importation, which includes duty and freight. ### What approvals do electrical products need in Australia? In-scope electrical equipment must carry the RCM under the Electrical Equipment Safety System, the responsible supplier must be registered, and higher-risk equipment needs registration with a certificate of conformity. ### How long does sea freight take from China to Australia? As a planning range, about 14 to 22 days from Ningbo or Shanghai to Sydney or Melbourne on direct services. From India’s west coast, allow about 25 to 35 days with transhipment. Other market guides ## Selling in more than one market? [NZ · Oceania**New Zealand** The NZ–India FTA enters into force on 20 October 2026; China and Vietnam already have preferential routes.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/new-zealand/)[UK · Europe**United Kingdom** India–UK CETA has been in force since 15 July 2026: zero duty on about 99% of tariff lines for Indian goods.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/united-kingdom/)[AE · Middle East**United Arab Emirates** India–UAE CEPA removes duty on 97% of lines; Mundra to Jebel Ali is a few days’ sail.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/united-arab-emirates/) Start here ## Your Australian landed cost, in 48 hours. Send one drawing, photo or quote. We return the process chain, the right clusters in India and China, and a landed-cost comparison for your market. [Get a free teardown](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=market-au)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)