Bringing items in to Australia

This article outlines the types of goods that cannot be brought into Australia and that need to be declared for inspection.

Passenger Card

You will be given an Incoming Passenger Card before you arrive in Australia. You must comply with the requirement to provide this information. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence.

You must mark YES on your card if you are carrying goods that may pose a biosecurity risk. These goods include plant material, animal products and certain food.

A biosecurity officer may inspect your baggage, even if you do not declare any goods. They may use X-ray or a detector dog. You must declare or dispose of any goods with a biosecurity risk before inspection. If you do not or make a false declaration on the Incoming Passenger Card, you:

• Will be caught
• May be subject to civil penalties
• May be prosecuted, fined more than $360 000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years and a get criminal record.


You will not be penalized under the Biosecurity Act 2015 if you declare all goods, even if they are not allowed into Australia.

Goods that must be declared.
These items must be declared and inspected for signs of insects or disease. Some items may require treatment before being allowed in.

Plant Material

• Wooden articles and carvings including painted or lacquered items (bark is prohibited and will be removed or require treatment)
• Artefacts, handicrafts and curios made from plant material
• Mats, bags and other items made from plant material, palm fronds or leaves (goods made from banana plants are prohibited)
• Straw products and packaging
• Bamboo, cane or rattan basket ware and furnishings
• Pot pouring and coconut shells
• Goods containing cereal grain, corn husks or filled with seeds
• Christmas decorations, wreaths and ornaments (pine cones are prohibited)
• Dried flowers and arrangements
• Fresh flowers and leis

Animal Products

• Feathers, bones, horns and tusks (must be clean and free of any tissue)
• Skins, hides, and furs (rawhide including drums, shields and dog chews are prohibited
• Wool and animal hair (includes fleece, yarn, and craft items)
• Stuffed animals and birds (taxidermy certificate required. Some may be prohibited under endangered species laws)
• Shells and coral (including jewellery, curios and souvenirs)
• Bee products including pollen, beeswax and honeycomb
• Used animal equipment including veterinary equipment and medicines, shearing or meat trade tools, saddler and tack and animal or bird cages
• Pet food is prohibited

Sporting Goods

• Craft and hobby lines made from animal or plant material
• Sporting and camping equipment including tents, footwear, hiking boots, golf equipment, bicycles and fishing equipment
• Footwear, clothing and any items used in rural areas or carrying contamination from soil or plant material

Goods that are prohibited

These items are prohibited and will be seized and destroyed by AQIS. Or you can drop them in the quarantine bins at the airport.

Firearms and Weapons
There may be airline rules about cabin or hold baggage or aviation safety laws that mean you can’t take certain items in the cabin or on the plane.

Lose your goods, on the spot fine, prosecution and large financial penalties may apply.

Food and Drink

Don’t bring fruit, vegies and meat products with you to Australia. If you take them onto the plane, leave the leftovers on the plane, including any supplied by the airline.

Lose your goods, on the spot fine, prosecution and large financial penalties may apply.

Note: Homemade food is acceptable with proper packing.

 

Substances

Natural and manufactured human growth hormones can be brought in if you,

• Carry them in your accompanied baggage
• Carry a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription (written in English)
• Don’t bring in more than 3 months' supply.

You should leave your medicine in its original packaging.
Athletes or anyone associated with an athlete must have a permit.

Lose your goods, on the spot fine, prosecution and large financial penalties may apply.

Market goods and shopping

There may be airline rules about cabin or hold baggage or aviation safety laws that mean you can’t take certain items in the cabin or on the plane.

Medicine

You do not need a permit to bring in most prescription medicines even if they contain a controlled substance, as long as,

• you are arriving in Australia as a passenger on board a ship or aircraft
• the medicine is carried in your accompanied baggage
  you carry a letter or copy of your prescription (written in English) from your Doctor to certify that the medicine has been prescribed to you to treat a medical condition
• the quantity of the medicine does not exceed three months' supply
• You should leave your medicine in its original packaging.

Exceptions:

Some medicines always require a permit. This includes steroids, products containing DHEA, yohimbine, thalidomide, fenticlor and triparanol. Import permits for these medicines are issued by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Duty free

Don't exceed your duty-free limits.

• General Goods: adults - $900
• Kids - $450
• Alcohol - 2.25 litres
• Tobacco - 50
• Cigarettes or 50g tobacco.

There may be airline rules about cabin or hold baggage or aviation safety laws that mean you can’t take certain items in the cabin or on the plane.

For more information.
https://www.border.gov.au


Cheers :)
Jennifer Lops