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Don’t let seeds cost your pocket and Australia’s environment

  • Newsletter
  • Biosecurity
  • Plants
9 April 2025

Are you aware of the consequences of importing seeds that don’t comply with Australia’s strict biosecurity import conditions?

Purchasing a packet of seeds online may only cost you a few dollars, but they can impact Australia’s native plant and agricultural resources as well as hit your pocket hard with infringements. Individuals could be fined up to $6,600 with the possibility of being taken to court, and face up to 10 years imprisonment or up to $660,000 in fines.

Imported seeds have the potential to introduce exotic pests and diseases into Australia. These can result in major impacts, including:

  • damaging Australia’s trade and export markets
  • introducing invasive weeds, which can overtake native vegetation and alter habitats for our fauna
  • introducing exotic pests such as Khapra beetle that can multiply rapidly and devastate our grain industry
  • introducing fungal, bacterial, or viral pathogens which infect plants and cause disease, such as Tomato brown rugose fruit virus, leading to widespread agricultural losses.

Seeds that are permitted entry into Australia are subject to a range of strict biosecurity conditions. These may include an import permit, phytosanitary certification, inspection, testing, treatment or post-entry quarantine disease screening.

Think first before you buy and check if the seeds are allowed by visiting Importing seeds for planting - DAFF.

If you have any questions about import conditions for seeds, you can email or call us on 1800 900 090.

Image of seeds in a petrie dish, with a ruler in the background
Seeds intercepted at the border

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Page last updated: 15 April 2025

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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