DAFF - IIAN 30-2026: Import conditions for spacecraft and parts

17 February 2026

Who does this notice affect?

This notice affects importers of spacecraft and parts, customs brokers, agents and accredited persons operating under approved arrangement class 19.

What has changed?

There are new import conditions in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) for spacecraft and parts. This change reflects the growing volume of space-related imports and the increasing number of spacecraft arriving in Australia directly from space.

BICON case changes

The department has updated the name of the 'New or used vehicles, aircraft and parts' BICON case to 'New or used vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft and parts.'

Updated import conditions for this case now include:

• spacecraft parts
• whole spacecraft.

Previously, onshore outcomes for spacecraft and parts were assessed under the import conditions for aircraft and aircraft parts.

There are no changes to onshore outcomes for air or sea freight consignments of spacecraft and parts.

A whole spacecraft imported under its own power (directly from space) may now be released on documentation once all the biosecurity requirements are met, regardless of the unladen weight. This removes the previous requirement for onshore inspection of spacecraft weighing 15,000 kg or less.

Further information

For further information, please contact Sea Cargo Policy team at seacargopolicy@aff.gov.au.