To protect Australians valuable agriculture, unique environment, amazing nature and wildlife, there are some special rules about what you are allowed to bring into Australia such as food, plant material and animal products, because it can cost serious pest and diseases to Australia.
Before you land in Australia you will get an Incoming Passenger Card, it is a legal document, where you must tick YES if you carrying any food, plant material or animal products. You can choose either to declare you the items or you can dispose them in quarantine bins in the airport terminal.
It is very important you are honest when you fill out the Incoming Passenger Card rather tick yes if you are unsure what you are allowed to bring into Australia.
On the arrival your baggage may be x-rayed, inspected or checked by a detector dog. If you have made a false declaration or fail to declare or depose any quarantine items,
- You will be caught
- You could receive an on the spot fine up to AUD 220
- You could be prosecuted and face a fine up to AUD 66,000 and receive 10 years in prison.
Declare items
In most cases the items you declare will be returned to you after inspection if it not presents a disease risk. Depending on the quarantine risk you have different options, but you need to be aware the treatment may damage the items, even though AQIS effort to minimize the risk of damage but does not accept liability for damage that can occur as a result of treatment.
- Pay for the item to be treated to make it safe (a subject to fees and special conditions can apply)
- Store the item at the airport and collect it when you leave Australia (a subject to fees and special conditions can apply)
- Re export the item (a subject to fees and special conditions can apply)
- Destroy the item by AQIS
Below are examples on what to declare or beware if you bring it into Australia - it is not a complete list!
Food
- Commercially prepared, cooked and raw food and ingredients
- Dried fruit and vegetables (Special import conditions may apply)
- Instant noodles and rice (Special import conditions may apply)
- Packaged meals (Special import conditions may apply)
- Herbs and spices (Special import conditions may apply)
- Herbal and traditional medicines, remedies, tonics and herbal teas (Special import conditions may apply)
- Snack foods (Special import conditions may apply), Biscuits, cakes and confectionery (Special import conditions may apply)
- Black tea, coffee and other beverages
- Infant formula (must be accompanying a child)
- Airline food/snacks.
Dairy and egg products
- Dairy products (fresh and powdered) including milk, cheese and ‘non-dairy’ creamers
- Cheese – must be commercially prepared and packaged and originate from countries free from foot and mouth diseas
- Airline food containing dairy including milk, yoghurt and sandwiches containing cheese
- All whole, dried and powdered eggs, and egg products that contain more than 10 per cent egg as an ingredient, such as mayonnaise
- Homemade egg products including noodles and pasta that are not commercially manufactured.
Animal products
- All uncanned meat including fresh, dried, frozen, cooked, smoked, salted or preserved - from all animal species
- Sausages, salami and sliced meats
- Airline food including sandwiches containing meat
- Fish and other seafood products (Special import conditions may apply)
- Pet food – including canned products and rawhide chews
- Rawhide articles and handicrafts including drums.
Seeds and nuts
- Cereal grains, popping corn, raw nuts, pine cones, birdseed, unidentified seeds, some commercially packaged seeds, and ornaments including seeds.
Fresh fruit or vegetables
- All fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables.
Live animals and animal products
- All mammals, birds, birds’ eggs and nests, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects
- Feathers, bones, horns, tusks, wool and animal hair
- Skins, hides and furs
- Stuffed animals and birds (taxidermy certificate required - some may be prohibited under endangered species laws)
- Shells and coral (including jewellery and souvenirs)
- Bee products including honey, beeswax and honeycomb
- Used animal equipment including veterinary equipment and medicines, shearing or meat trade tools, animal or bird cages.
Other goods
- Biological specimens including tissue culture (Special import conditions may apply)
- Craft and hobby lines made from animal or plant material
- Used sporting and camping equipment including tents, footwear, hiking boots, golf equipment and bicycles (need to be checked to ensure they are clean and free from soil contamination)
- Used freshwater watercraft or fishing equipment including rods and nets, waders, kayaks, paddles and life jackets.
Plant material
- All potted/bare rooted plants, cuttings, roots, bulbs, corms, stems and other viable plant material
- Banana products including food (fresh and dried) and souvenirs made with banana plant material
- Souvenirs made with or filled with straw, including Thai cushions
- Wooden articles and carvings including painted or lacquered items
- Items that include bark
- Artefacts, handicrafts and souvenirs made from plant material
- Mats, bags and other items made from plant material, palm fronds or leaves
- Straw products and packaging*
- Bamboo, cane or rattan basket ware and furnishings
- Potpourri and coconut shells
- Christmas decorations, wreaths and ornaments
- Dried flowers and arrangements
- Fresh flowers and leis.
See more here http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/cant-take about what you not allowed to bring or what to do.
