Australian beef can enter the United States through entitlements negotiated under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework, and the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSTFA).
On 1 January 2023, Australian beef export quantities to the United States became ‘unlimited’ under AUSFTA. The United States, however, reserved the right to implement an agricultural safeguard measures if certain price and quantity conditions under AUSFTA are met.
Under these arrangements, Australian exporters can export up to 449,909 metric tonnes of beef (combined WTO quota and AUSFTA entitlement) to the United States at a zero-tariff in calendar year 2026. The combined amount reflects:
- A United States granted WTO quota for Australian beef fixed at 378,214 metric tonnes.
- An additional entitlement under AUSFTA, which increases by an amount prescribed under the agreement every calendar year. In calendar year 2026, this amount is 71,695 metric tonnes.
Australian beef exports exceeding this combined amount will be subject to the AUSFTA Beef Safeguard if certain price conditions stipulated in AUSFTA are met. These conditions are assessed by the United States.
If the AUSFTA beef safeguard is triggered, beef exports exceeding this combined amount will be subject to a tariff equal to 65% of the prevailing Most Favoured Nation tariff on beef.
Once the safeguard is triggered, it will remain in place for three months or until the end of the calendar year, whichever period is shortest. Only the United States Trade Representative can waive the application of the safeguard.
Please note that:
- The United States requires export certificates to be issued for all Australian beef.
- The department issues export certificates on a first-come, first-served (FCFS) basis through the calendar year: 1 January to 31 December.
- To be eligible to receive a United States beef certificate, an exporter must meet the requirements under the Export Control Act 2020 and subordinate legislation, including holding a current meat export licence allowing the holder to export beef to the US. Product must be sourced from an abattoir listed to export to the US.
Current usage for United States beef arrangements can be found at the below link under the heading, ‘EU, UK and US red meat quota position’. The report is updated regularly.
Check out the current usage for US beef arrangements.
Exporters are encouraged to work with their importers if a change to entry documentation is required once Australia surpasses the United States granted WTO beef quota fixed at 378,214 metric tonnes.
These historical tables show how the United States beef arrangements have filled in previous years.
To apply for a certificate for a consignment of beef, an exporter must lodge a request for export (REX) through the department’s electronic documentation system, NEXDOC.
Once an REX is at 'COMP' status in NEXDOC, the data will go into the department’s Modern Quota System. When the application is approved, the electronic certificate, known as an eCert, is sent directly to United States Customs and Border Protection (US CBP). The exporter is also emailed information relating to the certificate issued.
If the export consignment is altered in any way, the revised REX will come through to the Quota Administration team. Once an eCert has been accepted by US CBP it cannot be amended. If there is a change to the product or weight of the consignment, the existing certificate may need to be cancelled and a replacement issued. If a new certificate is required to replace one that was previously issued, contact the Quota Administration team.
Note: The administration is cost recovered on a per-certificate basis in accordance with the Export Charges (Imposition-General) Regulation 2021 and the Export Control (Fees and Payments) Rules 2021. Exporters are invoiced monthly for any certificates issued. The current cost recovered amount is $37 per certificate issued.
The Quota Administration team collects and manages the data presented on this website for commercial and government use. The data comes from the REXs received through NEXDOC.
Contact us
For queries with United States beef arrangements, contact the Quota Administration team:
Phone: 02 6272 4068
Email: Quota.admin@aff.gov.au