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Australia Import Duty Rate for Footwear & Shoes

HS 6402–6405 · Footwear with various outer soles and uppers

Australia MFN Import Duty Rate

10%

on FOB value

AUSFTA/ChAFTA: 0%

MFN 10% on finished footwear. 0% under major FTAs.

How duty is calculated

1

FOB value

Product transaction value at port of export

2

Import duty (10%)

Applied to FOB value. US uses FOB (transaction value).

3

GST (10%)

Applied to FOB value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: footwear & shoes worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. Australia charges duty on the FOB value (the price of the goods), so freight does not attract duty and the duty base is US$10,000. Customs converts the amount to AUD at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

ChargeAt 10%
Import duty$1,000
GST (10%)$1,190
Total paid at the border$2,190

GST is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying footwear & shoes correctly

Chapter 64 covers footwear, classified by the material of the outer sole and the upper: 6402 rubber or plastic, 6403 leather uppers, 6404 textile uppers, 6405 other.

  • The upper's material is judged by the largest external surface area, not weight
  • Sports shoes, waterproof boots and slippers each have their own subheadings with different rates
  • Footwear duties are among the highest MFN rates (often 10–17% in the EU, up to 37.5% in the US)

Compliance. Footwear labelling rules apply in the EU (materials of upper, lining and sole), and many markets watch origin closely because of high rates.

Importing into Australia: what you need

The Australian Border Force (ABF) clears goods through the Integrated Cargo System; rates are in Schedule 3 of the Customs Tariff Act 1995.

Registration. An ABN and a client registration with the ABF; most importers use a licensed customs broker.

Low-value shipments. Goods worth A$1,000 or less clear without duty or a full import declaration. 10% GST on them is charged at checkout by overseas sellers and marketplaces registered for GST.

Documents customs will ask for

  • Full Import Declaration (N10) for goods over A$1,000
  • Commercial invoice and packing list
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
  • Certificate or declaration of origin for FTA rates
  • Biosecurity documents and import permits from the Department of Agriculture for timber, food and plant products

Charges on top of duty

  • GST 10% on customs value + duty + international freight and insurance
  • Import Processing Charge per declaration
  • Luxury Car Tax and Wine Equalisation Tax on those goods
  • Anti-dumping duties on some steel, aluminium and food products

Watch out. Many goods face 0% duty thanks to FTAs with China, Japan, Korea, the UK and ASEAN, but only with origin evidence — without it the general 5% rate applies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Footwear & Shoes in Australia?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Footwear & Shoes (HS 6402–6405) in Australia is 10% on the FOB value. MFN 10% on finished footwear. 0% under major FTAs.

Is GST charged on Footwear & Shoes imports to Australia?

Yes. Australia charges GST at 10% on the FOB value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Footwear & Shoes in Australia?

Yes. AUSFTA/ChAFTA: 0%. AUSFTA (US), CPTPP, ChAFTA (China), KAFTA (Korea), AANZFTA (ASEAN), JAEPA (Japan), UK–Australia FTA, IAA FTA (India) are the key agreements — verify origin requirements with your customs broker.

How is import duty calculated for Footwear & Shoes entering Australia?

Duty is calculated on the FOB value of the goods. FOB value is the transaction value at the port of export. The MFN duty of 10% is applied to this value. GST (10%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.

Verify this rate

Duty rates change. Always verify the current rate at the official tariff schedule before importing.

Australian Customs Tariff (ACT) official database ↗
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