Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) entered into force on 1 January 2005. AUSFTA is a comprehensive agreement that covers goods, services, investment, financial services, government procurement, standards and technical regulations, telecommunications, competition-related matters, electronic commerce, intellectual property rights, labour and the environment.
Key outcomes of the Agreement include that upon entry into force the United States eliminated duties on Australian goods on 82.4 per cent of its tariff lines. By 2010, this will rise by an additional 4.1 per cent, and by 2015 a further 10.7 per cent. By 2022, 98.4 per cent of tariff lines and 99.9 of imports will be duty free.
The AUSFTA sets out the rules for determining which goods are ‘originating’ and therefore eligible for preferential tariff treatment. Under AUSFTA, it is the importer who makes the claim for preferential treatment. Importers should be prepared to submit (on request) a statement setting out the reasons that the good qualifies as an originating good. For further information see the Australian Customs Service.
The Australian and United States schedules specify the applicable rate of duty and the staging category for each tariff line under AUSFTA. The staging category establishes the rate at which the relevant tariffs will be eliminated under the Agreement. Exporters can check the applicable tariff rate on the Tariff Working Pages which are maintained by the Australian Customs Service (with final reference to be made to the published copy, also available through this site) or US modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement at: the Australian Customs Service or US International Trade Commission Tariff Database
Austrade offers practical advice and assistance to Australian new and established exporters - call Austrade on 13 28 78.
Recent News
21 Dec 2007: Government Procurement Thresholds Indexed to take effect on 1 January 2008
Who to Contact
Requests for information, advice or comments on the free trade agreement should be addressed to:
US Trade Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
R.G. Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton ACT 0221
telephone: +61 2 6261 3668
fax: 02 6112 3629
email: us_fta@dfat.gov.au
For media enquiries please call DFAT Media Liaison Section on (02) 6261 1555.
Please note that DFAT does not handle United States visa requests or related enquiries. For further information please visit the US Consular Services in Australia website.