Asbestos in Imported Building Products: What Australian Customs Notice 2024/32 Asks of Importers Buying from China

Australia prohibits the importation of asbestos and of goods containing asbestos unless a permission or exemption has been granted, or a lawful exception applies under regulation 4C of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. Australian Customs Notice No. 2024/32, issued by the Australian Border Force (ABF), says that it is the importer’s responsibility to make sure goods do not contain asbestos, and that goods suspected of containing it are held at the border until the ABF is satisfied.

This article reads that Notice, signed on 30 August and 3 September 2024, which repeals and replaces Department of Immigration and Border Protection Notice No. 2017/21. It is a reading of an official document for procurement planning, not legal or customs advice. The ABF can issue a newer notice, so check the ABF website for the current version before you order. For other compliance topics on Australian projects, see our guides to NCC and BCA compliance for building materials from China and CodeMark certificates and NCC 2025.

What the Notice says about the ban

The Notice states that an Australia-wide ban on the manufacture and use of all types of asbestos and asbestos containing materials took effect on 31 December 2003, and that the import prohibition applies to asbestos and goods containing asbestos unless a permission, exemption or lawful exception applies under regulation 4C. Four statements in the Notice matter most for a buyer:

• The ABF must be satisfied: it must be satisfied that goods entering Australia do not contain asbestos, and under the Customs Act 1901 it can examine goods and ask importers for additional information.
• Goods can be held or seized: goods suspected of containing asbestos are held until the ABF is assured the importation is lawful or satisfied of no asbestos content. Goods found to contain asbestos are seized, and importers may face penalties or prosecution.
• The importer carries the responsibility: importers must take appropriate action to ensure goods do not contain asbestos, unless an exception, exemption or prior permission from the Minister administering the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 applies.
• A declaration is required: when making an import declaration, importers must declare if goods contain, or may contain, asbestos.

Why a “no” declaration is not the end of the question

The Notice says the ABF does not rely solely on the import declaration. It states that the ABF risk assesses 100 per cent of goods entering Australia and targets goods considered at risk of containing asbestos. It lists three examples of what may be considered at risk: goods that are widely known to contain asbestos, goods supplied from countries with asbestos-producing industries, and goods shipped from overseas suppliers previously identified as sending asbestos or goods containing asbestos to Australia. It adds that importers who have declared “no” may still be required to provide information to assure the ABF that the goods do not contain asbestos.

The Notice does not name any country, and the only product example it gives is gaskets. It describes the kinds of consideration the ABF applies, and a buyer should read it that way: a complete document file is what answers a query, whatever the origin.

What the importer is expected to know

Under the heading “Assurance requirements”, the Notice sets the standard for the importer’s own knowledge.

• Back to the point of manufacture: importers need sufficient knowledge of their goods back to the point of manufacture.
• When “no” is appropriate: importers declaring “no” must only do so if they are certain that the goods do not contain asbestos by design, or by the use of naturally contaminated ingredients during manufacture.
• Before shipment: where an importer is unsure of any asbestos content, of parts or components accompanying the primary item that are a risk (the Notice gives gaskets as an example), or of whether asbestos was present at any point in the supply chain, it needs to obtain sufficient information prior to shipment.
• If the information is not enough: the ABF will require testing and certification in Australia, at the importer’s own cost, by a laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

Which test reports the Notice says the ABF accepts

The Notice explains that certain approved testing certificates and laboratory reports, together with supply chain documentation, can provide assurance. Importers can import samples into Australia, with prior Ministerial permission, for testing, or test overseas.

• Testing in Australia: the ABF will only accept certification from a laboratory accredited by NATA to undertake asbestos testing, confirming that asbestos was not detected.
• Testing overseas: the ABF will only accept certification, confirming that no asbestos was detected in the samples, from a laboratory accredited to undertake asbestos testing by a NATA-recognised equivalent through a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). The Notice explains that an MRA recognises the accreditation process of the body overseeing the laboratories in that country, not the test undertaken.
• Report content: importers should ask the laboratory to prepare a report that meets Australian content requirements. The Notice says international certificates must clearly state that any level of asbestos detected is noted in the report, because some countries allow small levels (below 0.1%, or in some countries below 1%), and the report must indicate that no levels of asbestos were detected regardless of the testing standard of that country.

The practical consequence is that a certificate marked “asbestos free” by a maker or by a laboratory that does not meet these conditions may not answer the ABF’s question. The Notice describes what it will accept; it does not say that other documents are worthless, only that these are the ones it names.

What to put in a China purchase brief

None of the following is a requirement placed on a maker by the Notice. They are questions an Australian importer can write into the brief so that the file is ready before shipment. Put each answer in writing and keep it with the purchase order.

• Materials list per product line: the materials used in each product, including parts and components that arrive with it, such as gaskets, seals and fixings.
• Origin of inputs: where the maker buys its raw materials and filler from, and whether the maker can state that none of them is asbestos-containing by design.
• Test report route: whether the maker already holds an asbestos test report and from which laboratory, with the accreditation of that laboratory stated, and whether the report states the detection result as the Notice describes.
• Samples: whether the maker will supply samples for testing before shipment, and who pays for the test.
• Change control: whether the maker will tell the importer before changing a material, a supplier of an input or a component.
• Declaration: who will make the import declaration, and what information that party needs from the maker to answer the asbestos question accurately.

Licensed customs brokers have their own obligation under the Notice to declare accurate information and to exercise due diligence, including seeking information from importers before the declaration is made. Share the file with the broker early.

Questions buyers ask about the asbestos import prohibition

Does the Notice apply only to products from China?

No. The Notice applies to all imports of asbestos and goods containing asbestos. It lists considerations the ABF uses to target goods, such as supply from countries with asbestos-producing industries, but it does not name a country.

Is a certificate saying “asbestos free” enough?

The Notice names the testing certificates it accepts: from a NATA-accredited laboratory in Australia, or from an overseas laboratory accredited by a NATA-recognised equivalent through a Mutual Recognition Arrangement. The report must show that no level of asbestos was detected, whatever the testing standard of the country.

Who bears the cost of testing if the ABF asks?

The Notice states that where information does not provide sufficient assurance, the ABF will require importers to arrange testing and certification in Australia at their own cost.

Where can I check whether there is a newer Notice?

On the Australian Border Force website. This article reads Notice No. 2024/32, which repeals and replaces Notice No. 2017/21, and a later notice may replace it.

How does FBM Sourcing support an Australian project?

We review the brief, collect comparable quotations and manage the package for the project. For suppliers you nominate, we charge a 5% commission; for products we source for you, we quote a direct price. Our own team performs one inspection after bulk production is complete and before shipment, and the client’s project team is welcome to attend.

FBM Sourcing manages the entire China procurement package for overseas construction projects. We work with Developers · General Contractors · Builders · Commercial Project Owners · Interior Design & Construction Companies · FF&E Solution Providers.