Australian customs & quarantine control

Before travelling to Australia, check which items you can and cannot bring into the country. Upon arrival you will be required to complete documentation declaring the items you are bringing with you. If you fail to declare items, you may receive a significant penalty or be prosecuted with a criminal offence.  

Documents required for customs clearance

All arriving passengers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card, and present their passport and completed Incoming Passenger Card to an Australian customs officer on arrival. 

Items you must declare on arrival: 

  • Goods that may be prohibited or subject to restrictions, such as medicines, steroids, illegal pornography, firearms weapons or illicit drugs. 
  • More than 2.25L of alcoholic beverages or 25 cigarettes or 25g of tobacco products. 
  • Goods obtained overseas or purchased duty and/or tax free in Australia with a combined total price of more than AUD$900, including gifts. 
  • Goods/samples for business/commercial use. 
  • AUD$10,000 or more in Australian or foreign currency equivalent. 
  • Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables. 
  • Grains, seeds, bulbs, straw, nuts, plants, part of plants, traditional herbs or medicines, wooden articles. 
  • Animals, part of animals, animal products including equipment, pet food, eggs, biologicals, specimens, birds, fish, insects, shells, bee products. 
  • Soil, items with soil attached or used in freshwater areas e.g. sports/recreational equipment, shoes. 
Travel items including Australian passport and coins

Travel items including Australian passport and coins - Credit: Tourism Australia

Declaring restricted items

Declared risk goods will be inspected by a biosecurity officer. There are penalties for not declaring illegal and restricted items and for making false declarations on your Incoming or Outgoing Passenger Card. If you’re in doubt, declare your goods or ask a customs officer for advice. 

When arriving in Australia: 

  • Your baggage may be X-rayed. 
  • Counterfeit or pirated items may be seized. 
  • Customs officers may question you. 
  • Trained dogs may be used to detect illegal drugs or imports. 
  • You must hold an individual international yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have stayed overnight or longer in a declared yellow fever infected country within six days prior to your arrival in Australia. 

For more information visit the Australian Border Force website.  

FAQs

What items need to be declared at Australian customs?

What items need to be declared at Australian customs?

Before travelling to Australia, check which items you can and cannot bring into the country. Upon arrival, you will be required to complete documentation declaring the items you are bringing with you.
Items you must Declare on Arrival:

  • Goods that may be prohibited or subject to restrictions, such as medicines, steroids, illegal pornography, firearms weapons or illicit drugs. 
  • More than 2.25L of alcoholic beverages or 25 cigarettes or 25g of tobacco products. 
  • Goods obtained overseas or purchased duty and/or tax free in Australia with a combined total price of more than AUD$900, including gifts. 
  • Goods/samples for business/commercial use. 
  • AUD$10,000 or more in Australian or foreign currency equivalent. 
  • Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables. 
  • Grains, seeds, bulbs, straw, nuts, plants, part of plants, traditional herbs or medicines, wooden articles. 
  • Animals, part of animals, animal products including equipment, pet food, eggs, biologicals, specimens, birds, fish, insects, shells, bee products. 
  • Soil, items with soil attached or used in freshwater areas e.g. sports/recreational equipment, shoes. 

For more information visit their website www.customs.gov.au.
How do I contact Australian customs?

How do I contact Australian customs?

To contact Australian customs please visit their website www.customs.gov.au.
What are you not allowed to take into Australia?

What are you not allowed to take into Australia?

There are certain food, meat, plant materials, weapons, medications, animals and risk goods that are not allowed to be brought into Australia and Sydney. Declared risk goods will be inspected by a biosecurity officer with penalties for not declaring illegal and restricted items.