How to Export from India to Australia: ECTA Benefits, Freight & Documentation (2026)

The India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) came into force on 29 December 2022 and immediately eliminated customs duty on approximately 96% of India's tariff lines entering Australia, with coverage moving toward almost 100% over coming years. This means Indian exporters of textiles, garments, leather, footwear, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, and made-ups can sell into Australia at a significant landed-cost advantage over competitors from non-FTA countries.

Biggest beneficiaries under ECTA include India's labour-intensive and value-added manufacturing sectors. Textiles and garments (HS Chapters 50–63) that previously faced tariffs of 5% now enter duty-free. Leather and footwear (HS Chapters 41–43, 64) benefit similarly. Gems and jewellery (HS Chapter 71) see substantial savings on high-value consignments. Engineering goods (HS Chapters 73–85) and pharmaceuticals (HS Chapter 30) also gain preferential access, making Australian hospitals and retailers more receptive to Indian suppliers.

To claim the ECTA benefit, the Indian exporter must obtain an ECTA Certificate of Origin from an authorised issuing body — such as a recognised chamber of commerce or export promotion council — certifying that the goods meet the ECTA rules of origin criteria. The Australian importer then presents this certificate to Australian Border Force at the time of customs clearance. Without the CoO, the goods attract Australia's standard MFN tariff rates, negating the competitive advantage. For a deeper understanding of duty calculations, see our India-Australia ECTA duty guide.

Which Indian Products Gain the Most from ECTA Duty Relief?

Textiles, garments, leather products, footwear, gems & jewellery, engineering machinery, automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, and made-ups are the top categories. Petroleum products are also exported in large volumes, though they are typically traded on global commodity pricing rather than tariff-driven advantage.

Sea freight from Nhava Sheva (INNSA), Chennai (INMAA), or Mundra (INMUN) to Melbourne (AUMEL) or Sydney (AUSYD) takes 18–28 days depending on the port pair, shipping line, and transhipment routing. Air freight from Bengaluru (BLR) to Sydney or Melbourne takes 3–6 days door-to-door, including origin handling, flight, and customs clearance at the Australian end.

The primary sea lanes are served by MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, and COSCO with weekly sailings from India's west coast. Direct services from Nhava Sheva to Melbourne are typically the fastest, while Chennai-origin cargo may tranship at Singapore or Colombo, adding 2–4 days. Mundra offers competitive rates for Gujarat-based exporters but follows a similar routing pattern via Singapore or direct westbound lanes. For LCL shipments under 15 CBM, consolidated boxes are cost-effective, charged at approximately USD 45–80 per CBM depending on season and fuel surcharges.

Air freight from Bengaluru to Sydney or Melbourne is dominated by Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Singapore Airlines Cargo, and Cathay Pacific Cargo, with transhipment through their respective hubs (DXB, DOH, SIN, HKG). Direct passenger-belly cargo is also available on Qantas and Air India sectors. Chargeable weight rates from Bengaluru to Australian capital cities range from ₹280–₹480/kg for general cargo, with higher volumes attracting contract rates. Air freight is ideal for pharma samples, urgent textile shipments for fashion seasons, and high-value gems & jewellery.

To get an exact quote for your shipment, calculate export freight using our online tool.

Australia enforces strict biosecurity rules through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) that apply to all cargo arriving from India, with particular scrutiny on wooden packaging, food products, organic material, and plant matter. Therapeutic goods including pharmaceuticals and medical devices must also meet Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registration or listing requirements before they can be legally supplied in Australia.

ISPM-15 is mandatory for all wooden pallets, crates, dunnage, and packing material used in sea and air shipments to Australia. If your Indian supplier reuses timber packaging, ensure it bears the IPPC mark with the treatment code (HT for heat treatment or MB for methyl bromide, though MB is being phased out). DAFF inspectors at Melbourne and Sydney ports routinely scan containers with X-ray and detector dogs; non-compliant wood packaging can result in immediate treatment, re-export, or destruction at the importer's cost.

Food exports from India — including spices, rice, pulses, and processed foods — must comply with DAFF import conditions and may require import permits, health certificates from Indian authorities, and microbiological testing. For pharmaceuticals and medical devices, TGA listing or registration is required. The Australian importer is responsible for TGA compliance, but the Indian exporter must supply batch records, stability data, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificates to support the TGA application. Sea Air Cargo Systems verifies ISPM-15 compliance and TGA documentation before cargo departs India.

Does Every Shipment to Australia Need ISPM-15 Compliant Wood Packaging?

Yes, if the shipment uses any form of solid wood packaging — pallets, crates, cases, or dunnage. Plywood, MDF, and particleboard are generally exempt because they are manufactured using heat and pressure that eliminates pests. Cardboard and plastic packaging do not require ISPM-15 marks. Always confirm the packing material specification with your supplier before booking freight.

Every Indian exporter shipping to Australia must hold a valid Import Export Code (IEC) issued by DGFT, register an Authorised Dealer (AD) code with customs, and file a shipping bill on ICEGATE with the correct HS code and FOB value. To claim ECTA preferential duty, the exporter must additionally obtain an ECTA Certificate of Origin and submit it through the Australian importer.

The IEC is a ten-digit permanent number issued by DGFT that is mandatory for any export or import from India. The AD code is the Authorised Dealer code of your bank branch, registered with customs so that export proceeds are channelled through the banking system. Without an active AD code, the shipping bill will not be processed on ICEGATE. Read our full AD Code registration for exports guide for the step-by-step process.

The shipping bill is filed electronically on ICEGATE by your CHA or freight forwarder. It contains the exporter and importer details, product description, HS code, FOB value in INR or USD, port of loading, port of discharge, and scheme details such as RoDTEP or EPCG. For ECTA claims, the shipping bill should reference the ECTA CoO number. After export, the bank issues an eBRC (electronic Bank Realisation Certificate) once payment is received from the Australian buyer. The RoDTEP scheme allows exporters to claim a duty remission on inputs; ensure your product is listed under the RoDTEP schedule and that the correct script is entered in the shipping bill. For more details, see our shipping bill filing guide and export documentation India resources.

How Do You Claim RoDTEP on Exports to Australia?

RoDTEP is claimed at the time of shipping bill filing on ICEGATE. Your CHA enters the applicable RoDTEP rate or script against the specific HS code. Once the shipping bill is assessed and the cargo is exported, the RoDTEP credit is generated in your ICEGATE ledger and can be transferred or used for duty payment on future imports. The rate varies by product and is notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

1. Confirm IEC and AD code registration — Ensure your Import Export Code is active on DGFT and your AD code is registered with customs at the port of export. Without these, the shipping bill cannot be filed. Check our AD Code registration for exports page if you need help.
2. Classify your product and check ECTA eligibility — Determine the correct HS code using the CBIC tariff or our HS code finder. Verify that your product falls within the 96% of tariff lines that attract zero duty under the India-Australia ECTA.
3. Obtain ECTA Certificate of Origin — Apply for the ECTA Certificate of Origin from an authorised chamber of commerce or export promotion council, proving the goods meet rules of origin. This certificate is essential for your Australian importer to claim duty-free entry.
4. Book sea or air freight to Melbourne or Sydney — Request FCL or LCL sea freight quotes from Nhava Sheva, Chennai, or Mundra to Melbourne or Sydney. For urgent cargo, book air freight from Bengaluru to Sydney or Melbourne. Confirm ISPM-15 compliance for any wooden packaging.
5. File Shipping Bill on ICEGATE with RoDTEP — Your CHA files the shipping bill on ICEGATE with correct FOB value, HS code, and port of destination. Include RoDTEP details if claiming export incentives. Attach the commercial invoice, packing list, and ECTA CoO copy. See our shipping bill filing guide for details.
6. Submit documents and track delivery — Submit the original Bill of Lading or Airway Bill to the carrier, share the ECTA CoO with your Australian importer, and track the shipment through to customs clearance at Melbourne or Sydney. Follow up for eBRC after payment realisation.