Import of an industrial chemical

generally means to bring an industrial chemical into an Australian port from overseas.

Note: Australian Border Force (ABF) outlines several types of imports and corresponding declarations that must be made to clear imported goods from customs control in Australia.

Legal definition

In the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019, ‘Import of an industrial chemical’ means ‘do an act that constitutes importation of the industrial chemical for the purposes of the Customs Act 1901, or would constitute such importation if that Act extended to the external Territories.’

Example 1 - Import into Australia for commercial purposes

Spencer imports sodium hydroxide for his AICIS-registered business. He purchases this from a business in Türkiye, which sends it by ship to Australia.

When the sodium hydroxide enters an Australian seaport, Spencer has made an import of an industrial chemical into Australia.

Example 2 - Import into Australia for export to another country

Olivia imports titanium tungsten carbide from a supplier in China. The Chinese supplier sends it by air freight to Australia. She then stores it, as imported, in an Australian warehouse belonging to her registered business. Then she exports it to the United States within 25 working days of the original importation.

When the titanium tungsten carbide enters an Australia airport, Olivia has made an import of an industrial chemical into Australia. She’s started a process called transshipment. This is where a business imports an industrial chemical, holds it in Australia up to 25 working days, then exports it.