A Quick Guide to Dumping & Countervailing Duties in Australia – And Why Importers Shouldn’t Ignore Them

We’ve recently seen an increase in goods arriving in Australia that fall under the category of dumped or subsidised imports — and that can mean some serious extra costs for importers.

So what does this mean for your business? And how can you stay ahead of it?

What Is Dumping?

Dumping happens when goods are exported to Australia at a price that’s lower than what’s charged in the country they were made in. On the surface, it might sound like a good deal — but it can actually damage local industries.

To level the playing field, the Australian Government can impose dumping duties — and in some cases, countervailing duties too (these apply when the goods have been subsidised by a foreign government).

These are extra charges, on top of normal customs duties. And they can be hefty.

It’s not unusual to see dumping duties over 100% of the goods’ value — that means you could pay more in duty than for the goods themselves.

And just to be clear — even if your goods come with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Certificate of Origin, dumping and countervailing duties can still apply.

Which Goods Are Affected?

Here’s a quick overview of goods that currently attract dumping or countervailing duties in Australia.

🏗️ Steel & Aluminium Products:

• Aluminium extrusions
• Aluminium zinc-coated steel
• Chrome bars
• Hollow structural steel sections
• Hot rolled coil and structural steel
• Precision pipe and tube steel
• Steel strapping
• Certain brackets and clips
• Quenched & tempered steel plate
• Rods in coil
• Steel pallet racking
• Steel reinforcing bar
• Zinc-coated (galvanised) steel
• Silicon metal
• Wire rope

🧪 Other Items:

• PVC flat cables
• Plastic concrete underlay film
• Clear float glass
• Pineapple fruit
• Railway wheels
• 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)

This list is always evolving, so if you’re importing something similar — it’s worth double-checking.

So What Should You Do?

If you’re currently importing (or planning to import) any of these goods, the smartest move is to get clarity upfront. Being proactive can save your business thousands — not to mention the stress of dealing with this upon import.

How We Help at Transitainer

At Transitainer, we’re here to offer support and practical advice to help you make confident importing decisions. That includes helping you:

• Work out if your goods fall under anti-dumping rules
• Understand your potential duty exposure
• Avoid any nasty surprises from ABF down the line

👋 Whether you’re new to importing or a seasoned pro, it’s always better to check before your shipment lands.

Let’s Make It Easy

If you’ve got a shipment on the way — or even just a question — our Customs Broker is ready to help. We’ll talk you through it.