🇦🇺 Importing from India to Australia
Terry Towel Import
Compliance — Australia
Australia imports significant volumes of terry towels from India for its hotel, hospital, and retail sectors. This guide covers duty, GST, labeling, biosecurity screening, and the documentation required for a smooth import process.
HS Code
6302.60
Duty Rate
10%
Authority
Australian Border Force
Mandatory Cert
3 required
HS Code & Import Duty
HS Classification
6302.60
Terry towelling and similar woven terry fabrics, toilet linen and kitchen linen
Duty Rate
10% customs duty + 10% GST
Australia charges 10% customs duty on CIF value, plus 10% GST applied on (CIF + duty). Total effective tax rate: approximately 21% on CIF value.
Labeling Requirements
Fiber content must be stated as percentage composition per the Trade Practices Act.
"Made in India" country of origin must appear on labels.
Care instructions are required under Australian Consumer Law.
Towels must not contain restricted chemicals under Australia's Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS).
Hotel procurement: ACCC standards require care label to be permanently attached and readable.
Required Import Documents
Commercial Invoice
AUD or USD value, HS code, description, origin.
Packing List
With weights, dimensions, and carton count.
Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
Transport document from carrier.
Certificate of Origin
Australia does not have an FTA with India for textiles, so standard origin certificate is required.
Import Declaration (B650)
Filed via Australian Border Force COLS system for commercial imports.
Biosecurity Declaration
Textile goods require a biosecurity import permit check. Most towels are low-risk but must declare any wood-based packaging materials.
Anabyn provides all standard export documents — Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin — with every shipment. Certification documents (GOTS, Oeko-Tex) are available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total tax on importing towels from India to Australia?
10% customs duty on CIF value, plus 10% GST on (CIF + duty). Combined effective rate is approximately 21% on the CIF value.
Are there biosecurity requirements for importing textiles to Australia?
Yes. Australia has strict biosecurity laws. Cotton textiles must be commercially manufactured and clean. Wooden pallets and packing materials must be ISPM 15 heat-treated. Declare all packaging materials on import.
Does Australia have an FTA with India for textiles?
The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) was signed in 2022 and entered into force in December 2022. It reduces or eliminates tariffs on many Indian textile goods. Check the DFAT tariff finder for current rates.
What GSM is best for Australian hotels?
Australian 5-star hotels typically use 500–650 GSM for bath towels. Budget hotels use 380–450 GSM. Pool towels are typically 350–420 GSM for quick drying in the Australian climate.
Ready to Import?
Source Certified Towels from India
Anabyn handles all export documentation and certification. We ship to Australia with full compliance support.