The Australia market for Indian solid wood furniture
Australia: wooden articles are checked for bark, insects and treatment under biosecurity rules (BICON); untreated wood may need fumigation. India-Australia ECTA (in force 29 Dec 2022) gives zero duty on most tariff lines with a preferential certificate of origin.
Indian community in Australia (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 845,800 (PIO 719,897 + NRI 125,903).
Solid Wood Furniture specification for Australia orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Species | Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), mango, acacia, teak, reclaimed timber; iron frames (typical) |
| Moisture content | 8-12% kiln-dried (typical) |
| Construction | Mortise-and-tenon, dowels, KD fittings (typical) |
| Finishes | Natural oil, wax, NC/PU lacquer, water-based paints (typical) |
| Testing | Stability and strength per EN 12521/EN 1730 or ANSI/BIFMA on request (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Australia requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Australia
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Imported Food Inspection Scheme | DAFF | Risk food vs surveillance food inspection rates |
| Standards & labelling | FSANZ | Food Standards Code; CoOL; allergens |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping solid wood furniture to Australia
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Sydney: 20-28 days. Via Singapore/Port Klang/Colombo; 2-4 days shorter from Chennai; BICON conditions + AFAS fumigation
Supply window: Indian solid wood furniture is mainly produced or harvested First flush Mar-Apr; second flush May-Jun; rains Jul-Sep; autumnal Oct-Nov (ASSUMPTION - standard flush calendar); First flush Mar-Apr; second flush May-Jun; autumn Oct-Nov (ASSUMPTION). Allow 20-28 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Australia customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~25-30 cbm, 40' HC ~65-70 cbm (volume-limited).
Quoted on FOB, FCA, CIF, DAP; CIF Sydney is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Australia
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Port Botany (Sydney) · Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) | HORECA & food-service distributors, Indian diaspora grocers (Harris Park/Parramatta), pharma/generics |
| Brisbane | Port of Brisbane (Fisherman Islands) · Brisbane International (BNE) | HORECA, mining/engineering goods buyers, agri-food traders |
| Perth | Fremantle Port (inner & Kwinana outer harbour) · Perth International (PER) | HORECA, mining/oilfield engineering buyers, Indian diaspora grocers |
| Adelaide | Port Adelaide (Outer Harbor) · Adelaide International (ADL) | HORECA, defence/engineering suppliers, agri-food & wine trade |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import solid wood furniture into Australia?
Key requirements: Imported Food Inspection Scheme — DAFF (Risk food vs surveillance food inspection rates); Standards & labelling — FSANZ (Food Standards Code; CoOL; allergens). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Australia take?
Typically 20-28 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Sydney, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Australia have a trade agreement with India?
India–Australia ECTA in force 29 Dec 2022; CECA (full agreement) under negotiation [S7][S8] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to solid wood furniture from India?
Usually HS 940360. Australia applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Why does solid wood crack?
Wood expands and shrinks with humidity. Kiln-drying to about 8-12% moisture and allowing for movement in the design reduce cracking.
Is sheesham CITES-listed?
Dalbergia sissoo was reported removed from CITES Appendix II in 2022. Other rosewoods (Dalbergia) remain listed, so confirm the species.
Can you make knock-down (KD) furniture?
Yes, for many designs, which lowers freight and damage.
Related guides
Request a quote: solid wood furniture to Australia
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Australia. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.