Australia's strict bio-security laws prohibit certain foreign foods, plant materials and animal products from entering the country, due to the threat of introducing serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating our valuable agricultural and tourism industries, as well as our unique environment.
From April 17 2019, new rules come into effect allowing airport authorities to shorten or cancel visitor visas if a visitor fails to declare prohibited items upon entry to the country.
So before you send across a list of goodies for your family and friends to bring to Australia, or travel back to Australia from your home country and on a temporary visa, take a look at what you can and cannot bring into Australia.
WHAT CAN I BRING/NOT BRING TO AUSTRALIA?
Food
Food items brought into Australia must be declared on Incoming Passenger Cards when arriving by plane. Biosecurity officers may need to inspect some of the food you're bringing with you.
While you are allowed to bring coffee, biscuits, bread, cake, chocolate, maple syrup and oil, one needs to declare if they have brought tea, spices, pickles, rice, nuts, dairy products with them.
Take a look at the full list .
An airport security person examining the contents of a bin with a traveler's fanny pack, shoes, sweater, and allowable liquids. Source: Getty Images
Medicines
Medicines for personal use are allowed. However, one must carry a letter or copy of the prescription (written in English) from the doctor to certify that the medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical condition and ensure the quantity of the medicine does not exceed three months supply.
“You should leave your medicine in its original packaging and declare it to the Australian Border Force when you arrive,” the Australian Border Force (ABF) advises.
Plants, flowers and seeds
Live plants are not permitted.
“Most live plants must not be imported to Australia unless the importer has a valid import permit from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources,” the ABF advises.
For seeds, one must declare it if they are carrying seeds.
Seasonal or festive items
Source: Getty Images
The ABF advises not to bring fresh fruits, flowers, dried fruit, nuts and Indian sweets like burfi, ras malai, rasgulla and pedas. For more details on these sorts of items, click .
Besides these specific categories, there are many more items on the list that are prohibited or must be declared when being brought to Australia.
WHAT IF YOU ARE CARRYING A PROHIBITED ITEM?
When traveling to Australia you will be provided with an Incoming Passenger Card by the crew of your aircraft or cruise vessel.
“This is a legal document. You must mark YES on your card to declare if you are carrying certain food, plant material or animal items. You can take these declared goods with you to the clearance point where they will be assessed by a Department of Agriculture and Water Resources biosecurity officer and may be inspected. Alternatively, you can voluntarily dispose of food, plant material or animal items in bins located in the terminal,” the Department of Agriculture advises.
Source: AAP Image/Australian Border Force
WHAT IF YOU FAIL TO DECLARE?
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 you make a false declaration on the Incoming Passenger Card, you:
- may be caught
- may be subject to civil penalties
- may be prosecuted, fined more than A$420,000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years and a get criminal record.
You will not be penalised under the Biosecurity Act 2015 if you declare all goods, even if they are not allowed into Australia.
From April 17 2019, new rules state that if a visitor fails to declare anything that cannot be imported, the officers at immigration clearance points may shorten or cancel their visa.
ABF says the people found guilty of not following these rules may be prevented from returning to Australia for three years.
“Persons whose visas are canceled under these circumstances may be turned around and returned and will be prevented from being granted a visa to return to Australia for three years except under compelling or compassionate circumstances,” ABF spokesperson told SBS Hindi.
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