How to Import Food & Beverage to Australia

Step-by-Step Import Process

1. 1

   Verify import conditions

   Use DAFF's Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) to check whether your food product is permitted for import into Australia and what conditions apply. Some foods are prohibited entirely (e.g., certain raw cheeses, fresh produce from specific countries). Others require permits, health certificates, or testing.

2. 2

   Obtain necessary permits

   Some food products require an import permit from DAFF before shipping. This is separate from the standard import declaration and must be arranged well in advance. Products containing meat, dairy, eggs, or plant-based ingredients may each have specific permit requirements.

3. 3

   Ensure food standards compliance

   Verify your product complies with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. This includes maximum residue limits for pesticides, permitted food additives, allergen declaration requirements, and nutrition information panel (NIP) formatting. Labels must be in English and meet FSANZ standards before the product can be sold.

4. 4

   Engage a licensed customs broker

   Choose a broker experienced with food imports. Food importation requires coordination between the ABF, DAFF, and potentially state food authorities. Your broker manages the declaration process and can advise on IFIS inspection requirements.

5. 5

   Prepare import documentation

   Assemble your commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, health certificates from the exporting country's competent authority, and any DAFF import permits. For processed foods, ingredient lists and manufacturing specifications may be required for inspection purposes.

6. 6

   Clear biosecurity and food inspection

   On arrival, DAFF assesses your food shipment under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. "Risk" category foods face mandatory inspection and potential laboratory testing for contaminants, additives, and microbiological safety. "Surveillance" category foods are inspected at a lower rate. Your broker is notified of inspection outcomes.

7. 7

   Pay duties, taxes, and arrange distribution

   Pay customs duty, GST, and any excise-equivalent customs duty (for alcohol). Once cleared by DAFF and the ABF, arrange cold chain or ambient transport as appropriate. Ensure all products carry compliant Australian labels before retail distribution.

Key Regulations

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) administers the Biosecurity Act 2015 at the border. All imported food is assessed for biosecurity risk, and many categories undergo mandatory inspection under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS).

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) develops the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which sets mandatory requirements for food composition, labelling, additives, and contaminants. Imported food must comply with the Code before it can be sold.

The ACCC enforces the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016, which requires specific country of origin statements on food sold in Australia. Different claim types ("Made in", "Grown in", "Packed in") have distinct eligibility criteria.

For alcohol imports, excise-equivalent customs duty is charged in addition to standard customs duty. Rates vary by beverage type and alcohol content. Commercial importers also need state or territory liquor licensing to sell alcohol.

Duties & Tariffs

Customs duty on food products varies widely by classification. Many processed foods attract 5% duty, while some — particularly under free trade agreements — enter duty-free. Fresh produce duty rates depend on the product and country of origin.

Alcohol imports attract excise-equivalent customs duty in addition to standard customs duty. This is calculated based on the volume of alcohol and varies by beverage type. Spirits, wine, and beer each have different calculation methods. Check the ABF tariff for current rates.

GST of 10% applies to all imported food products. Some fresh food is GST-free when sold domestically, but GST still applies at the border — the importer claims it back when the product is sold GST-free.

Official Sources

Verify the information in this guide against these official government resources.

• DAFF — BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions)

  Check import conditions, permit requirements, and country-specific restrictions for food products.

• DAFF — Imported Food Inspection Scheme

  How the IFIS works, inspection rates, and what happens when food fails inspection.

• FSANZ — Food Standards Code

  The full Food Standards Code covering composition, labelling, and safety requirements.

• ACCC — Country of Origin Food Labelling

  Requirements for origin labelling on food sold in Australia.