Australia

Importing products from China to sell in Australia: the compliance checklist

When you import products to sell in Australia, you become the supplier responsible for compliance: register as a Responsible Supplier for electrical goods, hold test reports and declarations before the goods land, meet any mandatory safety standards (toys, button batteries and more), lodge an import declaration for goods over A$1,000, and be ready to report serious incidents to the ACCC.

Last reviewed 27 October 2026 · A planning guide, not legal or certification advice.

Check your exact product

Roadblock lists every step that applies to what you’re launching, for each market, in order.

Try: “Importing rechargeable LED desk lamps from a factory in China to sell online in Australia”

You carry the compliance

The overseas factory isn’t subject to Australian law; you are. As the importer you’re the Responsible Supplier for electrical safety and ACMA purposes and the supplier under the Australian Consumer Law. Hold the evidence before the goods land.

Check the factory’s evidence

Ask for test reports that name the exact model, are to the Australian standard (or the IEC standard with Australian national differences) and come from an accredited lab. Reports for a different model, or CE certificates from unknown issuers, aren’t enough. If the evidence is weak, budget for your own testing.

Mandatory standards and bans

Some product categories have mandatory standards regardless of power source: toys for young children, products with button or coin batteries, and others. Lithium batteries need a UN 38.3 test summary before they can be shipped.

Don’t copy protected designs

Copying a product isn’t illegal in itself, but its protected parts are: registered designs, trade marks, patents and copyright in artwork, packaging and manuals. Search IP Australia and use your own name, shape and packaging.

Landing and after

Goods over A$1,000 need an import declaration, usually through a customs broker, with duty and GST paid. After launch, you must report to the ACCC within 2 days of learning a product was associated with a death, serious injury or illness, so set up complaint tracking and a recall plan.

Steps, time and cost

Planning ranges from Roadblock’s register (A$, excluding your own staff time). Which steps apply depends on the product; run an analysis for yours.

StepMarketTypical timeTypical cost
Check copyright, designs, trade marks and patents before copying a productAU2–6 wkA$2,000–8,000
Register as a Responsible Supplier on the national databaseAU1–2 wkA$300–1,000
Electrical safety testingAll markets4–12 wkA$4,000–40,000
Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity and RCM markingAU1 wkA$0–1,000
Button and coin battery safety standardAU3–6 wkA$3,000–8,000
Australian mandatory toy standardsAU3–6 wkA$1,500–5,000
UN 38.3 lithium battery transport testsAll markets3–6 wkA$3,000–10,000
Importing into AustraliaAU1–3 wkA$300–2,000
ACL mandatory reporting and recallsAU1–2 wkA$0–1,000

Questions

Is the Chinese factory responsible for compliance in Australia?

No. The Australian importer is the supplier responsible for meeting Australian safety, EMC and consumer law.

Can I rely on the factory’s CE certificate?

Not on its own. Check the report names your exact model, comes from an accredited lab and covers the Australian standard or national differences, and you still need Australian registration and marking.

Do I need a customs broker?

Not legally, but goods over A$1,000 need a formal import declaration, and most importers use a broker to lodge it.

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