How to Import Oil & Gas Equipment and Products to Australia

Step-by-Step Import Process

1. 1

   Classify your goods

   Determine the correct tariff classification. Petroleum products, drilling equipment, pipeline components, and safety equipment fall under different HS headings with different duty and excise implications. Classification of petroleum products also determines the applicable excise rate.

2. 2

   Check permit and licensing requirements

   Petroleum product imports may require an excise licence from the ATO. Equipment for use in offshore operations must comply with NOPSEMA requirements. Goods containing hazardous chemicals require appropriate labelling and safety data sheets.

3. 3

   Assess tariff concession eligibility

   Specialised oil and gas equipment may qualify for duty-free entry under a Tariff Concession Order (TCO) if no Australian-made equivalent exists. Given the capital-intensive nature of the industry, the duty savings can be substantial.

4. 4

   Engage a licensed customs broker

   Choose a broker experienced with oil and gas imports, including excise management for petroleum products and project cargo logistics for large equipment. The broker manages the import declaration and coordinates with the ATO for excise obligations.

5. 5

   Prepare import documentation

   Assemble commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, safety data sheets (for petroleum products and chemicals), and any certificates of conformity for equipment. For petroleum products, you'll need to provide volume and composition details for excise calculations.

6. 6

   Lodge your import declaration and excise returns

   Your customs broker lodges the import declaration through the ICS. For petroleum products, excise liabilities are calculated based on volume and product type. Equipment declarations reference any applicable TCO or By-law concessions.

7. 7

   Pay duties, excise, GST, and collect your goods

   Pay customs duty, fuel excise (for petroleum products), and GST. For excise-liable goods, the ATO administers payment and reporting obligations. Equipment is released once duty and GST are paid.

Key Regulations

The ATO administers fuel excise on imported petroleum products. Excise rates are indexed bi-annually and vary by fuel type. The fuel tax credits scheme allows eligible businesses to claim credits for excise paid on fuel used in certain activities.

NOPSEMA regulates health, safety, and environmental management for offshore petroleum operations. Equipment used in offshore operations must meet NOPSEMA requirements.

The ABF administers customs duty collection. Specialised equipment may qualify for TCOs or By-law concessions. The Anti-Dumping Commission monitors pricing of imported steel products used in pipeline and infrastructure construction.

State and territory environmental protection agencies regulate onshore petroleum activities, including storage and handling of imported petroleum products.

Duties & Tariffs

Customs duty on petroleum products is generally 0% (most fuel and crude oil enter duty-free). The significant cost is fuel excise, which varies by fuel type and is indexed bi-annually. Current excise rates are published on the ATO website.

Equipment duty rates vary by classification — typically 5% for general machinery, with TCOs potentially reducing this to 0% for specialised items.

Businesses can claim fuel tax credits for excise paid on fuel used in eligible activities (heavy vehicles, machinery, mining operations). The credit rates are published by the ATO and change bi-annually.

Official Sources

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

• ATO — Fuel Schemes

  Fuel excise rates, fuel tax credits, and excise licensing requirements.

• ABF — Tariff Concession System

  Search for existing TCOs and apply for new ones for specialised equipment.

• NOPSEMA — Offshore Safety

  Regulatory requirements for equipment and operations in offshore petroleum.

• DAFF — Timber Packaging (ISPM 15)

  Biosecurity requirements for timber packaging used in equipment shipments.