AUSTRALIA-US Trade Profile

Comprehensive analysis of AUSTRALIA exports to the United States, including trade volumes, commodity breakdown, tariff rates, and logistics infrastructure.

Hedge tariff risk: Trade tariff prediction markets on Ballast Markets to lock in costs and protect margins against tariff changes affecting AUSTRALIA imports.

Trade Overview (2023)

| Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | Country | AUSTRALIA | | Country Code | AU | | Total US Imports | $8.30 billion (2023) | | Number of Products | 10+ HS codes tracked | | Tariff Exposure | 0-25% (MFN + potential Section 301/232) |

Top Import Categories

The United States imported 10+ different products from AUSTRALIA in 2023. Here are the top 10 by value:

1. Therapy appliances (HS 9019)

Import Value: $3.55 billion (42.8% of total)
HS Code: 9019
Tariff Rate: View HS 9019 AU tariff

Therapy appliances is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 42.8% of bilateral trade.

2. Orthopedic appliances (HS 9021)

Import Value: $2.15 billion (25.9% of total)
HS Code: 9021
Tariff Rate: View HS 9021 AU tariff

Orthopedic appliances is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 25.9% of bilateral trade.

3. Pharmaceutical products (HS 3004)

Import Value: $0.86 billion (10.4% of total)
HS Code: 3004
Tariff Rate: View HS 3004 AU tariff

Pharmaceutical products is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 10.4% of bilateral trade.

4. Industrial machinery (HS 8479)

Import Value: $0.57 billion (6.9% of total)
HS Code: 8479
Tariff Rate: View HS 8479 AU tariff

Industrial machinery is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 6.9% of bilateral trade.

5. Centrifuges/filtering equipment (HS 8421)

Import Value: $0.40 billion (4.8% of total)
HS Code: 8421
Tariff Rate: View HS 8421 AU tariff

Centrifuges/filtering equipment is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 4.8% of bilateral trade.

6. Medical instruments (HS 9018)

Import Value: $0.22 billion (2.6% of total)
HS Code: 9018
Tariff Rate: View HS 9018 AU tariff

Medical instruments is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 2.6% of bilateral trade.

7. Air/vacuum pumps (HS 8414)

Import Value: $0.13 billion (1.6% of total)
HS Code: 8414
Tariff Rate: View HS 8414 AU tariff

Air/vacuum pumps is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 1.6% of bilateral trade.

8. Pumps for liquids (HS 8413)

Import Value: $0.13 billion (1.6% of total)
HS Code: 8413
Tariff Rate: View HS 8413 AU tariff

Pumps for liquids is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 1.6% of bilateral trade.

9. Spark-ignition engines (HS 8407)

Import Value: $0.13 billion (1.6% of total)
HS Code: 8407
Tariff Rate: View HS 8407 AU tariff

Spark-ignition engines is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 1.6% of bilateral trade.

10. Electric alarms (HS 8531)

Import Value: $0.06 billion (0.7% of total)
HS Code: 8531
Tariff Rate: View HS 8531 AU tariff

Electric alarms is a major export from AUSTRALIA, representing 0.7% of bilateral trade.

Commodity Breakdown Table

| Rank | Product | HS Code | Import Value (2023) | Share of Total | |------|---------|---------|-------------------|----------------| | 1 | Therapy appliances | 9019 | $3.55B | 42.8% | | 2 | Orthopedic appliances | 9021 | $2.15B | 25.9% | | 3 | Pharmaceutical products | 3004 | $0.86B | 10.4% | | 4 | Industrial machinery | 8479 | $0.57B | 6.9% | | 5 | Centrifuges/filtering equipment | 8421 | $0.40B | 4.8% | | 6 | Medical instruments | 9018 | $0.22B | 2.6% | | 7 | Air/vacuum pumps | 8414 | $0.13B | 1.6% | | 8 | Pumps for liquids | 8413 | $0.13B | 1.6% | | 9 | Spark-ignition engines | 8407 | $0.13B | 1.6% | | 10 | Electric alarms | 8531 | $0.06B | 0.7% |

Tariff Landscape

Current Tariff Rates

MFN Tariff Rates: AUSTRALIA products enter under Most-Favored Nation rates:

Base Rates: 0-15% depending on HS classification
Average Rate: Varies by product category
Section 301 Risk: Potential additional tariffs if trade disputes arise
FTA Status: No current free trade agreement with US

Tariff Considerations:

Product-specific rates vary widely
No preferential access like USMCA countries
Lower than China but higher than Mexico/Canada

Tariff Impact by Product

View detailed tariff rates for specific AUSTRALIA products:

Logistics & Shipping

Major Trade Routes

AUSTRALIA goods typically ship to the US via:

Ocean Shipping:

Container services from major AUSTRALIA ports
Transit times: 7-25 days depending on route
Freight rates vary by season and capacity

US Ports of Entry:

Transit Times

| Route Type | Transit Time | Notes | |------------|-------------|-------| | Ocean Freight | 10-20 days | Port-to-port | | Air Freight | 3-7 days | Premium option | | Door-to-Door | 18-30 days | Including customs |

Risk Management

Supply Chain Risks

Tariff Volatility:

Moderate risk (potential Section 301 actions)
Policy changes can occur with 60-90 days notice
Effective tariff rates can double or triple

Logistics Risks:

Port congestion at US gateways
Regional supply chain bottlenecks
Seasonal capacity constraints

Hedging Strategies

1. Tariff Prediction Markets

Hedge AUSTRALIA tariff exposure using tariff prediction markets:

Example:

Exposure: $10M annual imports from AUSTRALIA
Current Tariff: 5-15%
Hedge: Buy "AU-US Tariff > 25%" position
Protection: Payout offsets increased duty costs

2. Sourcing Diversification

Don't rely solely on AUSTRALIA:

Blend AUSTRALIA with multiple regions
Reduce concentration risk
Maintain supply chain flexibility

3. USMCA Optimization

Consider shifting production to USMCA countries:

Mexico/Canada offer 0% tariffs
Shorter supply chains
Lower tariff risk

Related Resources

AUSTRALIA Ports - Major export gateways
Tariff Hedging Strategies - Risk management
Section 301 Tariffs - China trade actions
Container Shipping Routes - AUSTRALIA-US logistics

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau International Trade Data (2023)
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Ballast Markets bilateral trade analysis

Risk Disclosure

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or trade advice. Tariff rates are subject to change based on government policy and bilateral negotiations. Trade statistics may have reporting delays. Verify current rates and compliance requirements with customs brokers and trade advisors. Prediction markets involve risk of loss.

Disclaimer

Ballast Markets provides this content as a free educational resource for the global trade community. Trade data is sourced from official U.S. government sources but may contain errors or be outdated. For sourcing and compliance decisions, always verify with customs brokers and industry experts.

Last updated: 2025-11-04