The regulatory landscape for importing waste, recycled materials, refurbished goods
and scrap products into Australia has tightened significantly over the past 18 months.
In response to environmental risk, contamination concerns and global waste-trade
pressures, Australian Border Force (ABF), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry (DAFF) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the
Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have all introduced additional controls that now
affect a wide range of importers.

For many businesses, these changes mean longer documentation checks, stricter
inspection requirements and higher non-compliance risk — even for consignments
that have historically cleared without issues. Below is a practical breakdown of the

new 2025 settings, the types of goods now affected, and the steps importers should
take before cargo arrives at the border.

Why the Changes Were Introduced

Australia has been under increasing pressure to reduce environmental and
biosecurity risk arising from imported waste streams. Issues that have triggered
regulatory tightening include:

Contaminated scrap metal and plastics entering the supply chain

Incorrectly declared mixed-waste consignments

Rising detections of asbestos-contaminated waste and second-hand building
materials

Global restrictions on waste exports shifting supply chains towards Australia

Stricter international rules under the Basel Convention (effective 2021–2025
transition period)

As a result, authorities have moved to strengthen oversight across all waste-related
import categories.

Goods Now Classified as ‘Waste’ or ‘Waste-Like’ Under the 2025 Settings

Many importers are unaware that their goods fall into a “waste-like” category — even
if the products are intended for reuse, recycling, or refurbishment.

Examples of items now subject to strict regulatory assessment include:

1. Recycled Plastics & Reprocessed Materials

Any form of plastic feedstock, pellets, flakes or crushed materials must meet new
contamination thresholds. Mixed-plastic consignments are particularly high-risk.

2. Scrap Metal (Ferrous and Non-Ferrous)

Scrap shipments contaminated with oils, wood, plastics, soil, or asbestos-risk
materials now receive automatic direction for inspection.

3. Second-Hand Machinery & Equipment

Especially those with soil-bearing risk, hydraulic systems, or internal compartments.

4. Used Building Materials

Timber, tiles, metal sheets, insulation, dismantled structural components — these
often attract asbestos or contamination risk assessments.

5. E-Waste and Electronic Components

Discarded or refurbished electronics now require supporting documentation on
testing, refurbishment and functionality.

6. Mixed Waste Streams

Any container with multiple waste-like materials — even if individually low-risk —
now triggers enhanced screening.

If your commodity fits one of the above categories, assume additional clearance
steps will apply.

Key Regulatory Changes Importers Must Prepare For
1. Mandatory Pre-Shipment Documentation

Authorities now require detailed upstream documentation before cargo arrives in
Australia. This includes:

Full waste classification codes

Evidence of origin, processing and treatment

Contamination test results (where applicable)

Photographs of the goods, packaging and loading

A complete packing list that breaks down material composition

Failure to supply this pre-shipment information significantly increases inspection time
and the likelihood of a formal direction being issued.

2. Expanded Inspection Powers at the Border

ABF officers now have broader authority to:

Open containers onsite

Order full unpack and repack

Direct re-export or destruction of non-compliant consignments

Impose penalties for incorrect or misleading declarations

Even minor declaration discrepancies are now considered a compliance risk.

3. Additional Biosecurity Touchpoints

DAFF’s biosecurity screening has increased considerably for waste-like cargo.
Importers should expect:

Soil contamination checks

Wood packaging inspections (ISPM 15 compliance is strictly enforced)

Fumigation requirements

Asbestos-risk assessment, particularly for metal waste, machinery and building
materials

Delays are most common where there is missing evidence of cleaning, processing or
prior treatment.

4. Reclassification of Certain Goods Under the Basel Convention

A number of plastic and mixed-waste categories were reclassified internationally
between 2023–2025. If your supplier is using outdated HS codes, it may trigger:

Incorrect tariff classification

Misleading statements under the Customs Act

Mandatory holds while authorities re-assess the shipment

Many importers only discover the reclassification once the goods are already at port.

Practical Steps to Avoid Delays in 2025

This is where working with an experienced licensed customs broker becomes critical.
However, importers themselves should take the following steps well before cargo is
shipped.

1. Conduct a Pre-Import Compliance Assessment

Ask your broker to review:

The supplier’s production process

The level of contamination (soil, organic matter, residue)

Whether the commodity fits a regulated waste category

Whether Basel Convention controls apply

This is often the difference between a 24-hour clearance and a two-week delay.

2. Request a Detailed Supplier Declaration Template

AUSCUS can provide suppliers with tailored declaration templates that cover:

Material type and purity

Processing method

Handling and cleaning procedures

Testing or certification conducted prior to shipment

Providing this before goods leave the port of export reduces the risk of inspection
orders in Australia.

3. Ensure Packaging and Loading Are Fully Documented

Photos of cargo loading, packaging condition, pallet materials and container
cleanliness are now standard. These images are often requested by ABF or DAFF
prior to release.

4. Review Your HS Codes and Tariff Classifications

Do not rely on historic codes. Many waste-related classifications have changed.
Failing to update codes can lead to penalties or re-export orders.

5. Communicate Early With Your Broker

For any waste-like goods — even if the volume is small — advise AUSCUS before
the shipment departs. Their team can assess whether additional permits or treatment
steps are needed.

The Bottom Line for Importers

Waste import regulations have undergone the most significant tightening in over a
decade. What previously passed the border with minimal oversight may now face
multi-agency assessment, mandatory inspections or reclassification.

Being proactive — and providing full documentation early — is now essential.

For complex or high-risk consignments, AUSCUS can manage the entire compliance
process, review supplier declarations, assess Basel Convention obligations, and
liaise directly with ABF and DAFF to prevent costly delays.