Australia’s engineered-stone import prohibition has written exception routes

October 7, 2026

Engineered-stone benchtops, panels and slabs became prohibited imports into Australia from January 1, 2025. The registered customs amendment inserts regulation 5M into the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 and supplies the commencement date.

The instrument was made December 5, 2024 and registered December 6. These milestones are separate from January commencement. The engineered-stone import record retains the registered source and relevant dates.

Import permission and workplace use have separate conditions

Regulation 5M permits specified imports through written permission, confirmation or exemption pathways. The precise pathway and document must match the imported product and its circumstances. A particular shipment requires clearance under its applicable pathway.

Safe Work Australia’s current ban guidance explains that the customs prohibition complements the domestic workplace prohibition that began July 1, 2024. A customs exception does not by itself establish that every subsequent workplace activity involving the product is permitted.

APT’s practical interpretation is to retain the written import basis with product records and check the local workplace rules before handling or processing is planned. The product definition, form and intended activity need to stay visible through both decisions. The two prohibitions have different legal sources and commencement dates.

For related developments, consult the industrial hygiene regulatory tracker.