Exporting goods to Australia requires careful attention to inspection requirements, known as "commodity inspection." Many exporters find this process confusing, with different products subject to varying regulations. To help businesses navigate these requirements and avoid shipment delays, we've compiled a comprehensive list of products that require inspection before export to Australia.
Apparel: Woven vs. Knitwear
Woven garments generally require inspection for Australian exports, though exceptions exist for baby clothes and tracksuits. Knitwear inspections depend on material composition:
- Knitted clothing containing more than 50% wool or rabbit hair requires inspection
- Other knitwear typically doesn't need inspection
Footwear: Standard vs. Specialized
Most common footwear types require inspection, including:
- PU, PVC, and plastic shoes
- Fabric, leather, and synthetic leather shoes
- Slippers and sandals
Specialized footwear like skates, baby shoes, and medical footwear are exempt.
Lighting Products: Functional vs. Decorative
Functional lighting requires inspection:
- Bulbs, tubes, and lamp holders
- Ceiling, wall, table, and floor lamps
Decorative lighting like stage lights, spotlights, and night lights without primary illumination function are exempt.
Household Appliances
Most small appliances require inspection, with special requirements for:
- Electric fans and exhaust fans needing both inspection and export licenses
Audio Equipment
All standard audio devices require inspection:
- Speakers, sound systems, and CD/VCD players
- Radios and video recorders
- DVD players needing additional chamber of commerce certification
Toys: Safety First
Various toy categories require inspection to ensure safety compliance:
- Plastic, stuffed, and educational toys
- Electric and battery-operated toys
Ceramic Products
All ceramic goods require inspection:
- Tableware and decorative items
- Sanitary ware and construction ceramics
- Tiles and related building materials
Textiles: Cotton Fabric
Cotton fabrics containing more than 60% cotton require inspection.
Timepieces
All clock and watch types require inspection:
- Quartz and mechanical clocks
- Alarm clocks and watches
Hardware Products
Key hardware items requiring inspection:
- Stainless steel kitchenware
- Screws, bolts, and related fasteners
Understanding these requirements is crucial for smooth exports to Australia. Exporters should verify all regulations with professional freight forwarders before shipping to ensure full compliance with Australian standards.