All food sold in Australia must meet Australia's food standards. We regulate food imports to ensure food importers import food that is safe and compliant with these standards.
All food imports must also meet biosecurity import conditions.
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Types of food imports
Imported food must meet certain requirements. This depends on the food safety risk.
What to prepare
Documents and declarations
You must provide us with certain information when you import food. Find out how and what to lodge.
Foreign government arrangements
We may require foreign government certificates for certain foods. See where these arrangements apply.
On arrival
Inspection and testing
We inspect and test imported food to check it is safe and compliant under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. This depends on the food safety risk.
Stay informed
Check our imported food notices for updates on imported food requirements.
Our role
We administer laws relating to importing food.
The Imported Food Control Act 1992 provides for us to operate the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
Find out more about the legislation we administer.
Food regulation system
We monitor imported food at the border for safety and compliance with Australia’s food standards as part of the wider food regulation system.
Find out more about Australia’s food regulation system.
Imported Food Consultative Committee
We work with food and beverage import industry representatives, analysts and government agencies to consider practical and strategic issues that impact food imports.
Find out more about the committee.
Appointed analysts
Laboratories test imported food to verify compliance with Australia's food standards. To do so, you must apply and meet our requirements.