Australia has some of the strictest food import regulations in the world. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) oversees biosecurity at the border, while Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) sets the safety and labelling standards that all imported food must meet. Getting it wrong means your shipment gets held, tested, re-exported, or destroyed at your expense.

This guide covers the full process for importing food into Australia, from permits and inspections through to labelling, duties, and common mistakes that cost importers time and money.

Who Regulates Food Imports in Australia?

Three main bodies are involved:

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF): Manages biosecurity risk at the border. All imported food is subject to DAFF’s Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS), which determines whether your shipment is inspected, tested, or released.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ): Sets the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which covers food safety, composition, and labelling requirements.
Australian Border Force (ABF): Handles customs declarations, duty and GST collection, and enforcement of import prohibitions.

Depending on the type of food, you may also need to deal with state or territory food authorities and specific product regulators (for example, the TGA for foods making therapeutic claims).

The Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS)

IFIS is the system DAFF uses to manage food safety risk at the border. Every food import into Australia is categorised under one of two streams:

Surveillance food

Most food imports fall into the surveillance category. Surveillance food has a 5% random inspection rate. If your shipment is selected, a DAFF-approved food analyst tests it against the relevant Food Standards Code requirements. If it fails, the entire consignment may be held, re-exported, or destroyed. The importer bears all costs.

If an importer or a particular food type has repeated test failures, DAFF can move it to an increased inspection rate (up to 100%) or to the risk category.

Risk food

Certain food categories are classified as higher risk and are inspected at a 100% rate. Every shipment is tested before release. Risk foods include:

Cheese and cheese products (tested for Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli)
Fish and fish products from certain countries
Peanuts and peanut products (aflatoxin testing)
Certain spices (microbiological and chemical testing)
Sesame seeds from certain origins
Infant formula and infant food

The full list of risk foods is published by DAFF and updated regularly. Check the Imported Food Notices on the DAFF website for the current list.

Permits and Documentation You Need

The documentation required depends on the food type, but at a minimum you’ll need:

Import Declaration: Lodged through the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) by your customs broker. Required for all consignments valued over AUD 1,000.
Food Import Advice (FIA): An electronic notification to DAFF that a food shipment is arriving. This triggers the IFIS assessment and determines whether your goods will be inspected.
Commercial invoice and packing list: Standard trade documents from your supplier.
Certificate of Origin: If claiming preferential duty rates under a Free Trade Agreement.
Health certificate or phytosanitary certificate: Required for certain products like meat, dairy, eggs, and plant-based products. The certificate must come from the exporting country’s competent authority.
Manufacturer’s declaration or product specification sheet: Often needed to confirm ingredients, allergens, and processing methods.

Biosecurity Requirements

Beyond food safety, DAFF assesses biosecurity risk. Certain food products can carry pests, diseases, or contaminants that pose a threat to Australia’s agriculture and environment. Products that typically attract biosecurity attention include:

Fresh fruit and vegetables (many are prohibited or require specific import permits)
Meat and meat products (must come from DAFF-approved countries and establishments)
Dairy products (country-specific requirements)
Seeds, grains, and nuts (may require fumigation or treatment certificates)
Honey and bee products
Products containing wood packaging (must comply with ISPM 15)

Some food products are outright prohibited. Fresh fruit from countries without a current protocol, for example, cannot be imported regardless of documentation. Always check DAFF’s BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions) database before committing to a purchase order.

Food Labelling Requirements

All food sold in Australia must comply with the Food Standards Code labelling requirements, and that applies to imported food as well. If your product is not correctly labelled at the point of sale, it’s non-compliant.

Key labelling requirements include:

Product name: A clear description of the food.
Ingredient list: Listed in descending order of weight, using the names prescribed in the Food Standards Code.
Allergen declaration: All allergens must be declared in bold. Australia’s list of mandatory allergens includes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, and lupin.
Nutrition Information Panel (NIP): Mandatory for most packaged foods, showing energy, protein, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugars, and sodium per serve and per 100g.
Country of origin labelling: Australian Consumer Law requires a Country of Origin label. For imported food, this typically means a statement like “Product of [country]” plus the standard kangaroo-in-triangle mark.
Date marking: Use-by or best-before dates in the prescribed format.
Storage instructions: If the food requires specific storage conditions to remain safe.

If your food arrives with labelling that does not meet Australian requirements, you will need to arrange for it to be re-labelled before it can be released for sale. This is a common and expensive oversight. Work with your supplier to get labelling right before the goods leave the factory.

Customs Duty and GST on Imported Food

The customs duty rate on food imports varies by product and HS code. Many food items attract a 0% to 5% duty rate, though some processed foods can be higher. If your product qualifies under a Free Trade Agreement (such as ChAFTA for Chinese goods, or AANZFTA for ASEAN countries), you may pay reduced or zero duty with a valid Certificate of Origin.

GST of 10% applies to the customs value (transaction value plus freight and insurance) plus any duty paid.

For food valued under AUD 1,000 arriving through the mail or courier, duty is generally not collected, though GST may still apply through the Goods and Services Tax (Low-Value Goods) determination.

Costs to Expect

A typical food import into Australia includes the following cost layers beyond the product price:

Freight: Sea or air freight depending on shelf life, volume, and urgency. Temperature-controlled (reefer) containers cost more than standard dry containers.
Customs broker fees: AUD $100 to $300 per Import Declaration.
IFIS inspection fees: If your shipment is selected for inspection, you pay the analyst’s testing fees and any holding costs. Expect AUD $300 to $1,500+ depending on the number of lines and tests required.
Biosecurity fees: DAFF charges for any biosecurity assessment, treatment, or holding.
Quarantine-approved premises (QAP) fees: If your goods need to be held in a QAP while awaiting inspection results, daily storage charges apply.
Re-labelling costs: If labels need to be applied or replaced to meet Australian standards.
Customs duty and GST: Calculated on the customs value of the goods.

Step-by-Step Import Process

Check BICON: Confirm your product can be imported and what conditions apply.
Source your supplier: Ensure they can provide the required documentation, health certificates, and compliant labelling.
Arrange freight: Book with a freight forwarder. For perishables, confirm cold chain integrity and reefer container availability.
Lodge documentation: Your customs broker lodges the Import Declaration and Food Import Advice before the goods arrive.
IFIS assessment: DAFF’s system determines whether your shipment is inspected. If selected, goods are held at a quarantine-approved premises until results are confirmed.
Biosecurity clearance: If applicable, DAFF inspects for biosecurity risks. Compliant goods are released.
Pay duty and GST: Customs duty and GST are assessed and payable before goods are released.
Collect or deliver: Goods are released from the port or cold store for delivery to your warehouse or distribution centre.

Common Mistakes When Importing Food

Not checking BICON before placing an order. Some products are simply prohibited, and you will not find out until your goods hit the border.
Relying on the supplier’s labelling without verifying it against Australian requirements. Foreign labels almost never comply out of the box.
Underestimating inspection hold times. If your shipment is selected for testing under IFIS, results can take 5 to 15 business days. For perishable goods, this is a critical planning factor.
Failing to maintain cold chain documentation. If you’re importing temperature-sensitive products, DAFF may request temperature records from the entire shipping journey.
Importing food without a clear understanding of shelf life. By the time goods clear customs and reach the retailer, you need sufficient remaining shelf life for the product to be viable.

Get Expert Help with Food Imports

Food importing requires more regulatory knowledge than most other product categories. Between DAFF, FSANZ, the ABF, and state food authorities, there are multiple compliance layers to navigate. A customs broker experienced in food imports can make sure your documentation is right, your labelling is compliant, and your goods clear the border without unnecessary delays or costs.

WWCF’s customs team handles food imports across all major Australian ports. If you’re planning your first food import or looking to streamline an existing supply chain, get in touch.

Importing food into Australia? Contact WWCF for expert customs and biosecurity clearance support.

Importing Food to Australia: The Complete Guide (2026)