Importing Hospitality Furniture to Australia and NZ: Containers, Biosecurity and Customs (2026)

Short answer

Importing furniture direct from a factory to Australia or New Zealand is routine if you plan four things: container and Incoterms (who books freight and who clears customs), biosecurity (ISPM 15 or treated timber packaging, a packing declaration with container cleanliness statement, and any conditions for timber, cane or bamboo goods listed in BICON), customs (import declaration, any duty, GST at 10% in Australia or 15% in NZ, preferential tariff paperwork), and time (production plus roughly two to four weeks at sea plus clearance). Use a licensed customs broker; the rules change and they are accountable for the declaration.

This guide from Venue Fitout (a line by EASEN Commercial Furniture) explains the process from the factory side. It is general information, not legal or customs advice, and you should confirm current requirements with your broker and the relevant government departments.

Step 1: Choose your container

Furniture is light for its volume, so containers usually fill by volume long before weight. Flat-packed tables, knock-down chairs and banquette sections built to pass through doors all reduce volume. Upholstered pieces cannot be compressed much and need corner protection. We prepare a packing list with carton dimensions and volumes before booking so you can see how full the container will be.

Step 2: Agree Incoterms

Many Australian and NZ hospitality buyers choose CIF and use their own customs broker. DDP is simplest but make sure the quote clearly states what is included.

Step 3: Biosecurity (Australia)

Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) manages biosecurity at the border. Key points for furniture shipments:

1. Timber packaging. Solid timber pallets, crates and dunnage must be ISPM 15 compliant (heat-treated or fumigated and marked), treated before export by an approved method, or treated on arrival. For Australian and NZ orders we specify ISPM 15-marked timber or timber-free packing and state which on the packing list.
2. Packing declaration. Sea cargo needs a packing declaration stating whether the consignment contains timber packaging, bamboo, bark, straw or other packing materials of concern and how any timber was treated. For full container loads, it also includes a container cleanliness statement. We provide the details your broker needs.
3. Prohibited packing. Straw and some used packing materials are not accepted and will be removed at your cost. We pack with cartons, foam, film and corner protectors.
4. The goods themselves. Some products made from timber, cane, rattan or bamboo have their own import conditions in BICON (the Biosecurity Import Conditions system), which may include being free of bark and insects, inspection or treatment. Your broker should check BICON for the exact product and origin before shipping.
5. Seasonal measures. Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) seasonal measures apply to certain goods shipped from listed target risk countries during the risk season, usually covering the southern spring to autumn. Check whether your goods, origin and shipping dates are in scope for that season.
6. Container cleanliness. Containers must be free of soil, seeds, insects and other contaminants inside and out.

New Zealand

New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sets import health standards, including for wood packaging (ISPM 15) and for sea containers, which must be clean. Some wooden, cane and bamboo articles have specific requirements. Your NZ customs broker will check the current standards.

Step 4: Customs, duty and GST

Australia

• Import declaration. Goods valued above AUD 1,000 need a full import declaration lodged with the Australian Border Force, usually by a licensed customs broker.
• Duty. Furniture has a general tariff rate, but under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) most goods of Chinese origin now enter duty free when valid origin documentation is provided. Your broker confirms the tariff classification and what origin paperwork is needed; we supply the commercial invoice and can arrange the certificate of origin.
• GST. GST of 10% is charged on the value of the taxable importation, broadly the customs value plus duty, freight and insurance. GST-registered businesses can usually claim it back as an input tax credit.
• Other charges. Import processing charges, biosecurity inspection fees, port and terminal charges and local delivery.
• Prohibited goods. Australia prohibits the import of goods containing asbestos. Furniture rarely involves asbestos risk, but for any product with cement-based or mineral boards, ask the supplier about materials and testing.

New Zealand

• Goods are declared to the New Zealand Customs Service, usually by a broker.
• GST of 15% applies to imports, with duty where applicable.
• The New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement may reduce or remove duty on qualifying goods with origin documentation; your broker confirms.

Step 5: Timing

From approved drawings to furniture in the venue, allow roughly three months for a custom fitout. If your opening date is fixed, work backwards and lock the furniture design early.

Import checklist

• [ ] Shop drawings and final quantities approved
• [ ] Incoterm agreed (FOB, CIF or DDP)
• [ ] Customs broker appointed (AU or NZ)
• [ ] BICON / MPI requirements checked for timber, cane and bamboo items
• [ ] Packaging confirmed ISPM 15 or timber-free
• [ ] Packing declaration details supplied
• [ ] Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading received
• [ ] Certificate of origin arranged for preferential tariff
• [ ] Marine insurance in place
• [ ] Delivery access checked: truck size, unloading, door widths
• [ ] Unpacking and installation labour booked

Common mistakes

• Booking freight before production is complete. Delays cascade into storage and demurrage charges.
• No origin paperwork. Without valid origin documentation you may pay duty that could have been avoided.
• Untreated timber crates. These cause delays, treatment costs or re-export.
• Not checking delivery access. A 40 ft container may not fit down a laneway; plan for a side-loader or devanning at a depot.
• Underestimating volume. Upholstered banquettes and armchairs take far more space than their weight suggests.
• Leaving it too late. A custom fitout ordered six weeks before opening will not make it by sea.

Mixed containers work well when chairs, banquettes and outdoor pieces are planned together; see our bentwood and cafe chairs and booths and banquettes collections, or a statement piece such as the Publican High-Back Settle.

FAQ

Does furniture from China need fumigation to enter Australia?

Not automatically. Timber packaging must be ISPM 15 compliant or treated, and some timber, cane or bamboo goods have their own conditions in BICON. Whether the furniture itself needs treatment depends on the product, materials and origin; your broker checks BICON before shipping.

What is a packing declaration?

It is a statement from the shipper about the packing materials in a sea consignment, including whether timber packaging was used and how it was treated. For full container loads it also includes a statement that the container is clean. Australia requires it for sea cargo.

Is there import duty on furniture from China to Australia?

Under ChAFTA, most goods of Chinese origin are now duty free when valid origin documentation is presented. GST of 10% still applies. Your customs broker confirms the classification and paperwork for your goods.

How long does shipping from China to Australia take?

Sea freight from southern China to major Australian and NZ ports is roughly two to four weeks depending on route and transhipment, plus a few days for clearance. Add production time of typically 30-60 days after drawing approval.

Do I need a customs broker?

For commercial furniture imports above the AUD 1,000 threshold, a licensed customs broker is strongly recommended. They lodge the import declaration, handle biosecurity documents and claim any preferential tariff.