Importing Wet Wipes into Australia: AICIS & TGA Guide

Short answer

To import cosmetic wet wipes into Australia, register your business with AICIS (the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme) before the first import. There is no minimum quantity, registration is renewed each year by 31 August, and you must categorise the ingredients you introduce. Label ingredients to the ACCC’s mandatory cosmetics ingredients labelling standard. Surface disinfecting wipes fall under the TGA: non-specific claims such as “kills germs” are exempt from ARTG listing but must still meet TGO 104, while specific claims such as “kills viruses” need ARTG listing. Flushable claims should meet AS/NZS 5328:2022.

Which Australian rules apply to imported wet wipes?

Product	Main regulator	What you need
Baby, facial, personal care wipes (cosmetic)	AICIS (ingredients as industrial chemicals); ACCC (labelling)	AICIS business registration, ingredient categorisation, ingredients label to the mandatory standard
Surface disinfecting wipes	TGA	Exempt (non-specific claims) or ARTG listing (specific claims); TGO 104 compliance
Wipes for medical devices	TGA	Regulated as medical devices, not exempt disinfectants
Flushable wipes	Australian Consumer Law (claims); AS/NZS 5328	Test evidence for the flushable claim

An overview of Australia alongside other markets is in wet wipes regulations by market.

How does AICIS registration work for wet wipes importers?

AICIS treats most cosmetic ingredients as industrial chemicals. If you import cosmetics to sell in Australia, you must register your business with AICIS before importing, and there is no minimum quantity or value threshold (AICIS). Key points:

Business, not product: AICIS registers the importing business, not each product (AICIS).
Annual renewal: registration years run 1 September to 31 August and must be renewed by 31 August.
Categorise ingredients: each industrial chemical you introduce must be categorised, with any pre-import reporting or assessment the category requires.
Annual declaration: submitted after each registration year (AICIS states the deadline is 30 November) (AICIS).

Your supplier’s role is to provide the full ingredient list with CAS numbers and concentrations so you, or your consultant, can categorise each ingredient.

What labelling rules apply to cosmetic wipes in Australia?

The Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020 is a mandatory standard enforced under Australian Consumer Law (ACCC Product Safety). In summary:

Ingredients must be listed on the container in descending order by mass or volume, or ingredients at 1% or more in descending order, followed by those under 1% in any order, then colour additives.
Use English names or INCI names.
The list must be prominent and clearly legible.

Also make sure claims are accurate under Australian Consumer Law, and avoid therapeutic claims (such as treating a skin condition) that bring a product under the TGA.

How does the TGA regulate disinfecting wipes?

The TGA regulates disinfectants for hard surfaces. Its claim guide explains that non-specific claims, such as “kills germs” or “kills bacteria”, mean a household or commercial disinfectant is exempt from ARTG listing, although it must still comply with requirements including TGO 104. Specific claims, such as activity against viruses, fungi or spores, require ARTG listing before supply (TGA). Wipes intended for medical devices are regulated as medical devices.

So the claim wording on the pack decides the route. The same formula with “kills 99.9% of germs” and with “kills cold and flu viruses” can need very different steps. Claim categories are compared across markets in antibacterial vs disinfecting wipes.

What about flushable wipes in Australia?

Standards Australia published AS/NZS 5328:2022 Flushable products, which sets tests and labelling for products that claim to be flushable (Standards Australia). If your pack says “flushable”, hold test evidence against a recognised method; otherwise use bin-disposal messaging. Background on flushability testing is in are flushable wipes really flushable?

What should you plan for customs and delivery?

Customs broker to lodge the import declaration and pay duty and GST as assessed.
Biosecurity: some materials, including timber packaging, are subject to biosecurity rules; your broker or forwarder can confirm requirements for your shipment.
Incoterms: agree FOB, CIF or DDP clearly (see sourcing wet wipes from China).
Documents: commercial invoice, packing list, ingredient list for AICIS categorisation, and SDS for alcohol-based products.

This is a buyer summary, not legal or customs advice. Confirm the details with AICIS, the TGA, the ACCC and your broker.

Prepare your Australian launch

Tell us your product and claims. We agree Australian labelling with the partner factory and send the ingredient details you need for AICIS.

Get a quote for Australia See disinfecting wipes options

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register with AICIS to import wet wipes into Australia?

Yes, for cosmetic wet wipes. AICIS requires businesses importing cosmetics to register before importing, with no minimum quantity, and to renew registration by 31 August each year.

Does AICIS register each wet wipes product?

No. AICIS registers the importing business. You must then categorise each industrial chemical (ingredient) you introduce and meet any reporting the category requires.

How must ingredients be listed on wet wipes in Australia?

Under the Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020: in descending order by mass or volume, or ingredients at 1% or more in descending order followed by the rest, using English or INCI names.

Do disinfecting wipes need ARTG listing in Australia?

Only if they make specific claims, such as killing viruses. Non-specific claims such as “kills germs” are exempt from ARTG listing but must still comply with TGO 104 and other requirements.

Can LX Wipe supply wet wipes for the Australian market?

Yes. LX Wipe supplies wipes from partner factories with Australian labelling agreed in the specification, and provides ingredient details for your AICIS categorisation.

Sources

Regulatory information is a summary for buyers and is not legal advice. Check the official sources and your own compliance adviser before launch. Last reviewed 18 October 2026.