What should importers do with goods already in transit following Australia’s preliminary affirmative determination on aluminium alloy windows and doors originating in China? What preparations should importers make in advance?

On 14 October 2026, the Australian Trade Remedies Commission (ATRC) issued Notice No. 2026/147, announcing a preliminary affirmative determination in Investigation No. 691 concerning imports of aluminium alloy windows and doors from China.

According to the notice, provisional anti-dumping and countervailing measures began applying to goods covered by the investigation from 15 October 2026. These measures are administered in the form of security deposits. Applicable rates vary between exporters, and importers should confirm the relevant rate based on the exporter’s identity and the official requirements.

For goods that have already been booked for shipment, are currently in transit by sea, or are about to arrive in Australia, particular attention should be paid to the actual shipment date, the exporter’s full legal name and the relevant transport documents.

1. Key Information About Investigation No. 691

This investigation concerns specified aluminium alloy window and door products imported into Australia from China. Importers should pay attention to the following details:

• Investigation number: Investigation No. 691
• Responsible authority: Australian Trade Remedies Commission (ATRC)
• Products under investigation: Aluminium alloy windows and doors originating in China that fall within the scope of the investigation
• Date of preliminary determination notice: 14 October 2026 (Notice No. 2026/147)
• Date provisional measures began applying: 15 October 2026
• Form of measures: Provisional anti-dumping and countervailing measures administered through security deposits
• Indicative duty rates: Published rates range from 5.3% to 73.3%. The applicable rate must be confirmed against the official notice and the relevant exporter classification.

According to publicly available information, the anticipated next steps in the investigation are as follows: submissions from interested parties are due by 3 November 2026, and the ATRC is expected to provide its final report and recommendations to the relevant Australian Minister by 16 December 2026. The Minister will then decide whether to impose final anti-dumping and countervailing measures. These dates remain subject to the official notices.

Importers should note that a preliminary determination does not mean the investigation has concluded. They should continue monitoring subsequent developments, the final determination and any relevant policy changes.

It should also not be assumed that all aluminium alloy windows and doors originating in China are subject to the same duty rate. The applicable treatment depends on the official rate for the relevant exporter and whether the goods fall within the investigation’s scope.

2. How Should Goods That Left China Before 15 October 2026 Be Handled?

For goods already dispatched from China, currently in transit by sea or approaching arrival in Australia, importers should first verify the actual loading or departure date.

According to the relevant notifications currently available, where the applicable conditions are met, goods that left the exporting country before the date on which the security requirements commenced may be declared using the Goods on the Water code (DSN 350). This may allow the importer to avoid entering a Security ID.

Importers should nevertheless pay attention to the following requirements.

2.1 Verify the Actual Loading Date

For sea freight, check the actual on-board date shown on the Bill of Lading and confirm with the customs broker whether the shipment meets the conditions for using DSN 350.

For air freight, verify the actual departure information on the Air Waybill and ask the customs broker to confirm how the relevant date is determined.

2.2 Retain Complete Shipping Evidence

Importers and relevant declarants should retain documents that demonstrate the actual shipment date, so they can provide them if requested by the Australian Border Force (ABF).

All shipping documents and date information must be accurate, complete and consistent with the actual transport arrangements.

2.3 DSN 350 Does Not Automatically Grant an Exemption

Using DSN 350 is subject to specific conditions. It does not mean that every shipment that has been booked, paid for or is currently in transit is automatically exempt from security requirements.

Importers should confirm eligibility with their customs brokers in advance to avoid clearance delays caused by incomplete documentation or incorrect determination of the shipment date.

3. What Should Importers Consider for Goods Shipped on or After 15 October 2026?

For goods that leave the exporting country on or after 15 October 2026, importers should confirm the applicable security requirements and declaration procedures under the relevant rules.

The following steps are recommended.

First, confirm the exact legal names of the manufacturer and exporter.

The legal name shown on the commercial invoice must be accurate and consistent with the relevant exporter identification and declaration documentation.

Second, verify the applicable duty rate.

Different exporters may be subject to different rates. Importers should confirm the applicable category against the official documentation rather than applying another company’s rate.

Third, arrange security and related formalities in advance.

Before the goods enter the Australian customs clearance process, confirm the required security amount, declaration requirements and processing time with the customs broker.

Fourth, check all shipping and trade documents.

Ensure that the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List and product descriptions are consistent to reduce the risk of customs clearance delays caused by discrepancies.

Fifth, confirm cargo release arrangements.

Do not issue delivery or cargo release instructions until the importer has confirmed the amounts payable and the necessary arrangements.

If goods are shipped around 15 October 2026, contact the customs broker as soon as possible and, where necessary, seek confirmation from the ATRC regarding the applicable treatment.

4. What Documents Should Importers Prepare?

To ensure that aluminium alloy windows and doors originating in China are declared correctly, importers are advised to prepare the following information for each shipment that has been booked, is in transit or is approaching an Australian port.

• Bill of Lading or Air Waybill: Verify the actual loading or departure date.
• Full legal names of the manufacturer and exporter: Confirm the exporter’s identity and the applicable requirements.
• Commercial Invoice: Check the transaction details and description of the goods.
• Packing List: Verify product categories, quantities and dimensions.
• Vessel or flight details and estimated time of arrival (ETA): Track the shipment’s progress.
• Container number or Air Waybill number: Identify the specific goods and shipment.
• Details of split shipments, consolidated cargo or transshipment: Verify the actual shipment date for each consignment.

Product descriptions should be as clear and specific as possible, identifying the relevant categories, such as windows, doors, window and door frames, door leaves and window sashes, and specifying the relevant dimensions.

If an order is shipped in multiple consignments, consolidated with other cargo or transshipped, the actual shipment date of each consignment should be checked separately. The date of the overall order should not be used as the sole basis for determining the applicable treatment.

For goods that have not yet been loaded, importers should advise their customs brokers of the planned loading date in advance so that the applicable requirements can be confirmed before shipment.

5. How Should Goods in Transit and Shipments Around the Effective Date Be Handled?

Importers are advised to take the following actions according to the status of each shipment.

Scenario 1: The goods left the exporting country before 15 October 2026

Verify the actual loading or departure date, prepare the relevant shipping evidence, and ask the customs broker to confirm whether DSN 350 can be used.

Scenario 2: The goods leave the exporting country on or after 15 October 2026

Confirm the applicable exporter category and duty rate, and arrange the required declarations and security procedures in advance.

Scenario 3: The goods have been booked but have not yet been loaded

Confirm the planned loading date as early as possible and communicate with the importer and customs broker before shipment. This helps prevent situations in which security arrangements have not been completed by the time the goods arrive.

Scenario 4: The goods are shipped in multiple consignments or undergo transshipment

Verify the actual shipment date, transport documents and corresponding cargo details for each consignment to ensure that every shipment is handled in accordance with the applicable requirements.

Particular care is needed for goods departing around 15 October 2026. Importers should promptly explain the circumstances to their customs brokers and, where necessary, seek confirmation from the ATRC regarding the appropriate treatment.

6. Implications for Australian Window and Door Importers and Construction Projects

These measures mean that Australian importers purchasing aluminium alloy windows and doors originating in China need to pay closer attention to exporter identity, actual shipment dates, applicable duty rates and declaration documentation.

For residential, apartment, commercial and other construction projects, the following preparations are recommended:

• Calculate costs in advance: Confirm applicable duty rates, security requirements and related expenses, and incorporate them into procurement budgets.
• Check goods in transit promptly: Review each shipment that has been booked, dispatched or is approaching arrival.
• Strengthen supply chain communication: Ensure that the manufacturer, exporter, importer and customs broker share consistent information.
• Ensure document accuracy: Check the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading and the names of the manufacturer and exporter.
• Plan deliveries carefully: Confirm security and cargo release arrangements in advance to minimise unnecessary customs clearance delays.

For construction projects covered by existing contracts or already underway, importers are advised to contact their suppliers and customs brokers as early as possible to confirm the necessary arrangements and make timely adjustments to procurement and logistics plans.

7. MEICHEN Windows & Doors: Monitor Policy Changes and Prepare Before Shipment

MEICHEN Windows & Doors continues to monitor changes in regulations, standards and import policies affecting the Australian and New Zealand window and door markets.

In light of the latest developments in Australia’s Anti-Dumping Investigation No. 691, we recommend that our partners verify exporter identity, applicable duty rates and declaration requirements in a timely manner. Importers, manufacturers and customs brokers should communicate fully before production, booking and shipment arrangements are finalised.

For aluminium alloy windows and doors originating in China that have already been booked, are currently in transit by sea or are approaching arrival in Australia, shipment-by-shipment document checks should be completed as soon as possible. Particular attention should be paid to the actual loading or departure date around 15 October 2026.

Regarding the specific treatment applicable to Meichen High Tech Industries Co., Ltd.:

Importers should refer to formal ATRC documentation and the relevant customs clearance requirements to verify the applicable duty rate and security arrangements for this company. Unless clear official confirmation has been obtained, the company should not be assumed to have been granted an exemption from security requirements.

Through timely communication and proper document preparation, we aim to help our partners better manage procurement, transportation and project delivery.

Important Notice

This article has been prepared based on relevant business notifications and publicly available information for industry reference only. It does not constitute legal, tax or customs declaration advice.

The specific scope of the investigation, applicable duty rates, security requirements, conditions for using DSN 350 and import declaration procedures must be confirmed against official documents issued by the Australian Trade Remedies Commission (ATRC) and the Australian Border Force (ABF), together with advice from a qualified customs broker.