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The twenty imports Australia is best placed to replace.

Australia imported USD 232bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 67bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 19bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
848products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
384products Australia already exports well
1807product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Australia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Australia would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Australia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned: of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg but not exceeding 15,000kgHS 880230

    Comes fromUnited States 90%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnmanned aircraft: for other than remote-controlled flight and other... (exports USD 919k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 143m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.8bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 1.4bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); United States supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 1.4bnup 29% on 2022
  2. 2

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: ammonium dihydrogenorthophosphate (monoammonium phosphate) and mixtures thereof with...HS 310540

    Comes fromMorocco 61%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate... (exports USD 227m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 184m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Morocco supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 1.3bnup 28% on 2022
  3. 3

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromArgentina 94%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greaves (exports USD 206m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 20k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 436m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Argentina supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 436mdown 13% on 2022
  4. 4

    Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410

    Comes fromUnited States 62%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrailers and semi-trailers: of the caravan type, for housing or... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 37m; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 9.0bn
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); United States supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 1.2bnup 15% on 2022
  5. 5

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to...HS 380893

    Comes fromChina 69%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCarbon: activated (exports USD 43m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 36m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 435m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 879m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 879mdown 18% on 2022
  6. 6

    Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles: motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehiclesHS 871000

    Comes fromUnited States 64%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrailers and semi-trailers: of the caravan type, for housing or... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 32m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 424m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); United States supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 424mfrom USD 46m in 2022
  7. 7

    Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210

    Comes fromNew Zealand 43%, 83 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less (exports USD 1.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 61m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 112m
    Countries that export it well60

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 336m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); New Zealand supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 336mup 16% on 2022
  8. 8

    Vehicles: break-down lorries, road-sweepers, spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units, and other...HS 870590

    Comes fromUnited States 65%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrailers and semi-trailers: of the caravan type, for housing or... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 16m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 243m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 336m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); United States supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 336mup 113% on 2022
  9. 9

    WhiskiesHS 220830

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 50%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less (exports USD 1.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 24m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 338m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 322m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); United Kingdom supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 322mdown 18% on 2022
  10. 10

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium chlorideHS 310420

    Comes fromCanada 42%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate... (exports USD 227m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 817k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 56m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 285m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Canada supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 285mup 39% on 2022
  11. 11

    Copper: unrefined, copper anodes for electrolytic refiningHS 740200

    Comes fromSweden 100%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodes (exports USD 3.6bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 106k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 217m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Sweden supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 217mfrom USD 13m in 2022
  12. 12

    Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink industriesHS 330210

    Comes fromSingapore 64%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOils, essential: n.e.c. in heading no. 3301 (terpeneless or not)... (exports USD 45m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 48m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 43m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 180m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Singapore supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 180mup 17% on 2022
  13. 13

    Turbines: gas-turbines (excluding turbo-jets and turbo-propellers), of a power not exceeding 5000kWHS 841181

    Comes fromUnited States 73%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc... (exports USD 219m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 25m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 137m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); United States supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 137mup 50% on 2022
  14. 14

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate in aqueous or ammoniacal solutionHS 310280

    Comes fromUnited States 90%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate... (exports USD 227m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 41k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 1.6bn
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 121m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); United States supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 121mdown 57% on 2022
  15. 15

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but...HS 870323

    Comes fromJapan 44%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrailers and semi-trailers: of the caravan type, for housing or... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 27m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 17bn
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 7.0bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Japan supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 7.0bndown 9% on 2022
  16. 16

    Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890

    Comes fromUnited States 46%, 88 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTherapeutic respiration apparatus: ozone, oxygen, aerosol therapy... (exports USD 1.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 188m; 11 more lines in the heading, USD 1.3bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); United States supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bnup 7% on 2022
  17. 17

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Comes fromChina 62%, 106 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel, railway or tramway track construction material... (exports USD 44m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 128m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 171m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 932m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); China supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 932mup 10% on 2022
  18. 18

    Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty...HS 190590

    Comes fromNew Zealand 13%, 81 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk... (exports USD 178m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 106m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 298m
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 763m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3).

    USD 763mup 12% on 2022
  19. 19

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromChina 79%, 71 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMicrophones and stands therefor (exports USD 156m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 53m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.1bn
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 746m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 746mup 15% on 2022
  20. 20

    Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 880730

    Comes fromUnited States 70%, 81 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnmanned aircraft: for other than remote-controlled flight and other... (exports USD 919k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 703m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 258m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 746m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); United States supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 746mup 49% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Australia already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 imports USD 1.5bn, exports USD 964m, top source Singapore 27%
  • Trailers and semi-trailers: of the caravan type, for housing or camping imports USD 390m, exports USD 69m, top source China 98%
  • Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral... imports USD 519m, exports USD 219m, top source China 46%
  • Machines: for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or... imports USD 113m, exports USD 46m, top source China 36%
  • Rubber: vulcanised, conveyor belts or belting, reinforced only with metal imports USD 38m, exports USD 12m, top source China 95%
  • Medicaments: containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or... imports USD 204m, exports USD 181m, top source France 18%
  • Surveying equipment: parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015 imports USD 59m, exports USD 39m, top source United States 28%
  • Cellulose fibre-cement: articles or the like, sheets, panels, tiles and... imports USD 58m, exports USD 41m, top source Thailand 43%
  • Travelling theatres imports USD 17m, exports USD 4m, top source Saudi Arabia 64%
  • Machines: for mixing or kneading mineral substances, excluding concrete mixers... imports USD 24m, exports USD 11m, top source Germany 63%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1807 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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