The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is responsible for managing the pest and disease risks associated with goods, containers, aircraft and ships arriving in Australia. The department also regulates food imports for safety and compliance with Australia’s food standards.
Before you import goods to Australia, it is important you understand your responsibilities as an importer and the import conditions that may apply to your goods. Complying with these requirements can reduce costly delays and help keep biosecurity and food safety risks offshore.
Read the department’s guide to the importing process.
What can I import?
Conditions for goods allowed into Australia are regulated by the department. The department regulates under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Imported Food Control Act 1992.
You can find out if your goods can be imported using the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON). Imported food safety requirements are also in BICON.
The conditions relating to your goods may vary depending on the country of export or origin of the goods.
Special conditions apply to imports into Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Norfolk Island. Please contact External Territories for more information.
Imported foods are also monitored for compliance to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Import information on the following goods is also available:
- biological products
- fertiliser
- live animals and reproductive materials
- major resource and energy sector imports
- military equipment, vehicles and ration packs
- motor vehicles, motorcycles, machinery and tyres
- plants and plant products
- timber, wooden articles, bamboo and related products
- vessels with timber components.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges apply to the import and clearance of goods.
Penalties for not complying
Biosecurity import conditions and imported food requirements are set under legislation administered by the department.
Failure to comply with this legislation in a criminal manner can result in large fines or imprisonment.
Department of Home Affairs
Goods arriving in Australia must also be declared to the Department of Home Affairs. Check their website for information on clearing goods through the border.
Customs brokers
First time or infrequent importers are encouraged to use the services of a licensed customs broker. To find a customs broker, search online or in your local Yellow Pages.