To import jewellery to Australia or New Zealand, you classify the goods, check them against each country's consumer product safety rules, and clear them through customs. Neither country has a single broad jewellery standard that we can point to with confidence, so the safe approach is to build to the strictest common limits and confirm locally.
Rules change, and we have not verified every current detail. Treat this as the structure of the job, and confirm each point with Product Safety Australia, the New Zealand Commerce Commission or your customs broker.
What applies in Australia?
Australia regulates through the Australian Consumer Law. Goods must be safe and fit for purpose, and the importer is treated as the manufacturer for legal purposes. Some product categories have mandatory standards or bans, including products for children, so check whether any of your pieces fall into one.
Children's jewellery is the highest-risk category. Lead, cadmium, small parts and magnets draw most of the attention worldwide. Our guide to jewellery rules in Canada and Australia covers the principles.
India and Australia have a trade agreement, in force since December 2022, which may reduce duty on eligible goods. Whether imitation jewellery benefits, and what origin proof is needed, is a question for your broker.
A practical approach is to treat the EU nickel and lead limits and the US children's jewellery limits as your working standard, because pieces that pass those will almost always satisfy local expectations too. Testing once to the stricter standard is usually cheaper than testing separately for each market. The exception is a rule written specifically for one country, such as a ban or a labelling requirement, which you can only learn from the regulator. Put the question in writing to Product Safety Australia or the New Zealand Commerce Commission and keep their answer on file.
What applies in New Zealand?
New Zealand relies on the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act. Misdescribing metal or plating is a clear risk, so state what the piece is. A "gold" description on a plated piece can draw a complaint.
New Zealand also has product safety standards for specific categories, and children's products attract the most attention. Confirm with the regulator whether anything you plan to import is covered. For description advice, see how to describe jewellery plating honestly.
How do you find jewellery distributors in Australia?
If your question is about jewellery distributors in Australia, you are probably deciding whether to import yourself or buy from a local distributor. Importing gives you better control of design and margin but requires working capital and compliance. A distributor takes the import work but limits your range.
If you do import, your selling channel matters. Online sellers need accurate listings and fast returns handling, which is covered in selling Rajkot jewellery on Amazon, Etsy and Shopify.
What should you do before the first order?
These steps apply to both markets:
- Ask a customs broker to confirm the classification under heading 7117 and the duty and tax that apply.
- Have the finished pieces tested for lead, cadmium and nickel, even where the law does not require it. It protects your listing and your returns.
- Check labelling, origin marking and any description rules before you print tags.
- Plan for biosecurity: Australia and New Zealand inspect wood, seed and plant material, so natural-material jewellery needs special care.
Next step
We find workshops, test the materials, and supervise production and loading, while your broker handles entry. Book a free sourcing review to plan your first order.