Bringing or mailing goods to Australia

These products are allowed into Australia if:

• they are for personal consumption
• they are fully cooked, shelf stable (do not require refrigeration) and contain no meat
• any fillings or toppings are cooked with the cake.

For all other cakes and cheesecakes please check BICON.

Cheese, butter, and other dairy products are permitted into Australia for personal use if the product is:

• commercially prepared and packaged
• produced in an approved FMD-free country (the product label must list the country of origin)
• imported in an amount up to 10 kilograms or 10 litres
• for human consumption only.

Cheese and other dairy products must be declared and inspected on arrival. Products that do not meet import conditions will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

You may bring commercially prepared and packaged chocolate or confectionery into Australia as a personal import. Chocolate must not contain meat, e.g. bacon.

Confectionery includes fudge, toffees, boiled sweets, peppermints, marshmallows and liquorice.

Coffee is permitted into Australia for personal use if it is in one of the following forms:

• roasted, ground or instant coffee (up to 10 kilograms)
• roasted coffee beans (up to 10 kilograms)
• green coffee beans (up to 5 kilograms).

The coffee must be in clean and new packaging and free from live insects and other contamination.

Kopi Luwak/Civet coffee, including whole beans, ground or for instant use, is allowed into Australia if:

• the beans, or the beans from which the product is made, have been roasted
• the product is commercially prepared and packaged
• the product is imported in an amount up to 1 kilogram
• the product is for the personal consumption of the person wishing to import it.

Canned, smoked or dried fish products are permitted if they:

• are for the personal consumption of the person wishing to import it
• are eviscerated (gills and guts removed), or processed further than evisceration

OR

• are for the personal consumption of the person wishing to import it
• are shelf stable (do not require refrigeration).
  

Fresh non salmonid fish products are permitted if they:

• are accompanied into Australia by the person importing it
• imported in an amount up to 5 kilograms
• are eviscerated (gills and guts removed), or processed further than evisceration
• are for human consumption only.

For unaccompanied consignments (including by international mail) and consignments of greater than 5 kilograms, please refer to BICON.

Please note that these conditions are for human consumption only. If the fish is being used for aquaculture, bait or animal food, an import permit may be required, please refer to BICON.

Canned salmon products

Personal import of commercially manufactured and retorted salmon products is permitted. The products must be in cans, jars or retort pouches and must not require refrigeration or freezing to maintain quality.

Retorted means heated in an unopened hermetically sealed container for a time, and to a temperature, by superheated steam under pressure, sufficient to render the contents commercially sterile.

Hermetically sealed means airtight; completely sealed from the atmosphere, so that when sealed it does not allow microorganisms or any other material to enter it.

These products will be subject to inspection to ensure that they are commercially manufactured and retorted. Canned salmon products that do not comply with the above requirements will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Uncanned salmon

Uncanned salmon is permitted if it is:

• consumer-ready (except roe or caviar)
• commercially prepared and packaged
• imported in an amount up to 5 kilograms if accompanied into Australia by the person importing it, or up to 450 grams if brought in as an unaccompanied import (e.g. products sent by post or courier).

Consumer-ready product is a product that is ready for the householder to cook/consume and includes:

• cutlets, including the central bone and external skin but excluding fins, each cutlet weighing no more than 450 grams
• skinless fillets, excluding the belly flap and all bone except the pin bones, of any weight
• skin-on fillets, excluding the belly flap and all bone except the pin bones, each fillet weighing no more than 450 grams
• eviscerated, headless ‘pan-size’ fish, each fish weighing no more than 450 grams
• fish that is headless and eviscerated which has been salted, dried or smoked
• product that is processed further than all of the stages above.

Honey products are permitted into most Australian states and territories. Honey products must be inspected by a biosecurity officer on arrival, to confirm the honey items are free from contamination.

Items that do not meet these conditions will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Western Australia currently has a higher quarantine status for bees and bee products. Honey or bee products imported into Western Australia must meet Western Australia state quarantine entry requirements. For more information contact the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia. Passengers arriving at ports outside of Western Australia should be aware that Western Australia has state quarantine entry requirements which will also apply should they travel domestically to Western Australia.

For information on beeswax products visit beeswax.

Breast milk is permitted if it is for the personal use of infants under the care of the person wishing to import the breast milk in quantities no greater than 10 litres or 10 kilograms.

Dairy based beverages with coffee, tea or flavouring are permitted into Australia for personal use, if the product is:

• commercially manufactured and packaged
• the commercial package has not been opened or broken
• shelf stable (does not require refrigeration)
• for instant use
• imported in an amount up to 10 kilograms.

Multiple individual sachets are permitted within a larger package, if each sachet in the larger package is an individual serving.

Infant formula is allowed into Australia for personal use. It must be commercially prepared and packaged and list the country of manufacture on the packaging. The quantity allowed into Australia will depend on the country of manufacture.

If the infant formula is manufactured in an approved FMD-free country, you may bring up to 10 kilograms or 10 litres for personal use, either in passenger luggage or as unaccompanied baggage or by international mail.

For infant formula manufactured in a country that is not on the approved FMD-free country list, you may bring:

• up to 10 kilograms or 10 litres if accompanied by an infant
• up to 5 kilograms or 5 litres if not accompanied by an infant
• Up to 1 kilogram or 1 litre for unaccompanied goods (e.g. goods sent by international mail).

Fruit and vegetable juices and soft drinks are allowed into Australia if they are commercially prepared and packaged.

If the juices contain seeds, the seeds must be listed as a permitted raw seed in the Raw seed for human consumption BICON case.

Frozen juices must meet the import conditions in the Frozen fruit, vegetables and herbs for human consumption BICON case.

Maple syrup is allowed into Australia.

Canned meat products

Personal import of commercially manufactured and retorted meat products is permitted. The products must be in cans, jars or retort pouches and must be shelf stable (not require refrigeration or freezing to maintain quality).

Retorted means heated in an unopened hermetically sealed container for a time, and to a temperature, by superheated steam under pressure, sufficient to render the contents commercially sterile.

Hermetically sealed means airtight; completely sealed from the atmosphere, so that when sealed it does not allow microorganisms or any other material to enter it.

These products will be subject to inspection to ensure that they are commercially manufactured and retorted. Canned meat products that do not comply with the above requirements will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Uncanned meat from New Zealand

Uncanned New Zealand meat is allowed into Australia if it is:

• sourced from sheep, cattle, goat, antelope, deer (including deer velvet), elk, moose, horse, donkey, mule, camel, alpaca, reptile, possum, rabbit, hare and llama,
• clearly labelled as a product of New Zealand
• not of pork or avian origin
• for the personal consumption of the importer
• imported directly from New Zealand to Australia.

The product must be declared on arrival and may be inspected to ensure it complies with the above conditions.

Items that do not meet these conditions will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Uncanned meat (including ham, bacon, salami and sausages) from all other countries

Uncanned meats (includes vacuum sealed items) are not allowed into Australia unless accompanied by an import permit.

Jerky/Biltong​

Meat jerky/biltong is allowed into Australia if the product is:

• NOT made from pork (pig meat)
• manufactured in an approved FMD-free country (note this requirement does not apply to jerky made from poultry meat)
• shelf stable (does not require refrigeration)
• commercially prepared and packaged and arrives into Australia in sealed (unopened) packaging
• imported in an amount up to 1 kilogram
• for the personal consumption of the importer.

The product must be declared on arrival and may be inspected to ensure compliance with the above conditions.

If the jerky does not comply with the conditions above it will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Meat floss

Meat floss is allowed into Australia for personal use if it is commercially manufactured and very finely shredded (with no identifiable meat pieces).

The product must be declared on arrival and may be inspected to ensure compliance with the above conditions.

Noodles or pasta made from plant material only

Noodles or pasta that are commercially manufactured and packaged and contain only ingredients of plant origin are permitted.

Noodles/pasta that are not commercially prepared and packaged will be inspected. If biosecurity risk material is found, it will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Instant noodles/pasta

Commercially prepared and packaged noodles are permitted if they:

• are for instant use (in small portions, and fried or heat sealed for immediate reheating)
• do not contain discernible pieces of egg or meat
• are shelf stable (do not require refrigeration)
• are for personal consumption of the importer.

Note: Noodles may contain sachets of ‘flavouring’. The flavouring sachets must not contain discernible pieces of egg or meat.

Commercially prepared and packaged nuts are permitted if they are in one of the below categories:

• blanched/roasted/fried/boiled nuts
• shelled and vacuum sealed nuts
• nuts packaged in small confectionery tins sealed under vacuum
• raw nuts that are shelled or have split shells and weigh no more than 2 kilograms.

Find out more about which types of nuts you can bring with you.

Vegetable and seed oils (includes Peanut, Safflower, Linseed, Olive & Cotton seed oils) are allowed into Australia. The goods must be clean and free of contaminant seed, soil, and animal or plant debris prior to arrival in Australian territory.

All pet food, treats and chews made from, or containing, animal or plant derived material, require an import permit. There are no small quantity or personal pet exemptions. Examples of products that require an import permit include rawhide chews, pigs’ ears, biscuits, kibble, canned pet food, jerky strips and ‘chocolate’ drops for pets. Products that are not accompanied by a valid import permit will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Note: Pet toys made from nylon, rubber or plastic are permitted into Australia without an import permit. For more information please see BICON.

Uncooked prawns

The importation of uncooked prawns is not permitted unless strict import conditions are met. All uncooked prawns require an import permit.

For more information please see BICON.

Cooked prawns

Cooked prawns must be accompanied by a specific health certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of origin stating:

• The prawns have been cooked in premises in the exporting country that are approved by and under the control of the competent authority of the exporting country
• As a result of the cooking process all the protein in the prawn meat has coagulated and no raw prawn meat remains.

For details regarding the format of the health certificate accompanying the imported cooked prawns and lists of competent authorities of exporting countries please refer to BICON.

If you do not have the correct documents the prawns will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Dried prawns/shrimp and shelf stable prawn based food products

Personal imports of dried prawns for human consumption are allowed into Australia. The dried prawns must be inspected by a biosecurity officer on arrival to ensure they are dried and free from live insects, soil and other contamination. If the items are not dried or are contaminated, they will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Shelf stable prawn based food products are permitted. Products may be inspected upon arrival to ensure they are shelf stable (do not require refrigeration).

For items that do not meet the above requirements an import permit must be obtained prior to importation.

For more information please see BICON.

Jam, chutney, pickles and canned, bottled or preserved fruit and vegetables (with or without seeds) are allowed into Australia if they are:

• preserved or pickled by an acceptable method; and/or
• canned or aseptically packaged*.

Acceptable methods of preserving/pickling fruits and vegetables are:

• pickled in salt brine, vinegar, alcohol or sugar syrup
• cured in salt or sugar
• glacé, crystallised or infused with/in sugar syrup (including but not limited to mixed peel, cranberries, tropical fruits)
• canned or bottled in salt, sugar, vinegar, salt brine, alcohol or oil
• boiled with sugar until gelled (jam or jelly).

*Canned/aseptically packaged includes any item that has been commercially heat treated to make the contents sterile.

The product must be shelf stable (not requiring refrigeration) for a minimum of six months.

Acceptable container types include:

• metal cans
• glass jars or bottles with ‘twist off’ lids or caps
• plastic containers that have heat sealed lids or lids closed by a double seam (excludes those with snap or plastic lids)
• retort pouches
• thermoform-fill-seal containers, plastic cans, pouches or bags.

Each item will be inspected to check that it meets these conditions.

If the product does not comply with the conditions above it will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Red dates are not permitted, unless the following import conditions are met:

• the dates must not contain seeds (deseeded) and no seeds in the package
• the full botanical name must be provided on a label or invoice (e.g. Ziziphus ziziphus)
• the products must be thoroughly dried
• the products must be packed in clean and new packaging that is unopened
• each package will be inspected to ensure no biosecurity risk material is present.

If the product does not comply with the conditions above it will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

White rice (including arborio, basmati, calrose and jasmine rice) is permitted without an import permit. The rice must be inspected by a biosecurity officer to confirm that it is free from viable grain, live insects, other seeds, soil, disease symptoms and other biosecurity risk.

Brown rice is not permitted unless accompanied by a valid import permit.

For more information about different types of rice please see BICON.

If the product does not comply with the conditions above it will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Commercially prepared and packaged sauces (including ketchup/catsup, soy, chilli, and peanut sauce) and curry pastes are allowed into Australia for personal use.

The sauce or paste must be commercially cooked, shelf stable (able to be kept at room temperature for at least 6 months) and enclosed in hermetically sealed containers such as:

• metal cans
• glass jars or bottles with ‘twist off’ lids or caps
• plastic containers that have heat sealed lids or lids closed by a double seam (excludes those with snap off plastic lids)
• aseptic cartons
• retort pouches.

All plant ingredients and seasonings are permitted in these products. For products containing animal-derived ingredients identify the ingredients and then check the specific import conditions for the ingredient on BICON.

Oysters in full/half shell from all countries (excluding New Zealand)

Oysters in full or half shell from all countries (excluding New Zealand) are not permitted to be imported into Australia.

Oysters in half shell from New Zealand

An import permit is not required to import oysters in half shell from New Zealand.

The consignment must be inspected to confirm that the oysters are in a half shell (not full shell) and free from contamination and infestation. Consignments that meet these conditions will be released.

Oysters that are found to be in full shell or are not free from contamination and infestation will be destroyed.

Oyster - meat only

Commercially prepared and packaged oysters (shell not attached and meat only) are allowed into Australia. Items must be inspected by a biosecurity officer to verify they contain oyster meat only.

Mussels, abalone, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs and saltwater crayfish/lobsters

Mussels, abalone, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs and lobsters are allowed into Australia for personal use. They must be inspected by a biosecurity officer to ensure they are dead, clean and free from material such as plant materials, snails, oysters or other contamination.

If items are found to be contaminated or potentially viable, they will be destroyed.

Dried, ground spices and spice mixes are allowed into Australia if they meet the following import requirements:

• the spices must be made from dried and ground plant material and must not contain ingredients of animal, microbial or fungal origin
• each consignment must be packed in clean and new packaging
• the goods must be clean and free of contaminant seed, soil, animal and plant debris and other biosecurity risk material prior to arrival in Australian territory
• following inspection and provided all of the above conditions have been met, the consignment may be released from biosecurity control by a biosecurity officer.

If the spices do not comply with the conditions above it will be treated, exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Plain black or green teas and plain black or green teas with flavouring

These teas are allowed into Australia from any country if the tea is in clean and new packaging (unopened) and free of live insects and other contamination.

Herbal tea bags

Herbal tea bags are allowed into Australia if:

• they are commercially prepared, packaged and labelled
• the tea contains ingredients of plant origin only
• all material in the tea is thoroughly dried
• the weight of each product (blend) within the consignment is no greater than 1 kilogram per blend.

For consignments containing fungi (dried mushrooms) including Ganoderma, Poriacocos and Cordyceps, refer to the BICON case Mushrooms for human consumption.

If you are importing tea with animal, other fungal or microbial products, you must search BICON for each individual ingredient to determine the conditions that apply.

Dried herbs (including ginseng and saffron) and loose herbal teas

Commercially prepared and packaged loose herbal teas and dried herbs (including leaves, spices, roots and crushed nut shells) are allowed into Australia if they only contain finely chopped ingredients of plant origin and weigh no more than 1 kilogram.

Herbal teas and dried herbs that contain seeds that are not on the permitted seeds list, unidentified seeds, insects or soil, will be treated, exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

If the herbal tea items or dried herbs exceed 1 kilogram refer to BICON.

Vitamins, supplements and therapeutics for human use are allowed into Australia if the product is:

• for human use—this may be supported by item labelling, an accompanying brochure, internet printout or a letter from a doctor
• brought to Australia by the person who intends to use it
• commercially prepared and packaged in the form of capsules, tablets, vials for injection, liquid, powder, ointment, this includes commercially packaged probiotics, e.g. Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis and Bifidobacterium spp.
• brought in a quantity of no more than three months’ supply*.

*Three months’ supply can be determined by:

• label dosage advice
• a letter in English from a medical practitioner, naturopath or alternative health provider
• a statutory declaration by the importer stating that the item is for personal use only and is less than three months’ supply.

If an item does not meet all of the above conditions it will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Supplements and natural medicines of plant origin

For dietary supplements and natural medicines containing ingredients of plant origin, refer to BICON.

Fungi (dried mushrooms)

For consignments containing fungi (dried mushrooms) including Ganoderma, Poriacocos and Cordyceps, refer to BICON.

Protein powders and sports supplements

For protein powders and supplements (e.g. performance enhancement supplements), refer to BICON.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines

For pharmaceutical products, including prescription medicines (e.g. blood pressure medication and contraceptive pill), please contact the Therapeutic Goods Administration or Department of Home Affairs.

Animal horns, teeth or bones are allowed into Australia if they are clean and free from contamination with seed, soil and animal or plant debris.

If contamination is found on the items they will be treated, exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Animal horns or bones may be subject to Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy control under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Items known to be or considered to be covered by CITES will be referred to the Department of Home Affairs on arrival in Australia.

If you are unsure whether the item you wish to bring into Australia is of CITES concern you should contact the Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy.

Cosmetic products are allowed into Australia if they are commercially manufactured and packaged and for the personal use of the person wishing to import the item. You may bring up to 10 kilograms or 10 litres for personal use.

Cosmetics other than those listed above may require an import permit. Tax free limits do apply to the import of goods into Australia. Please contact the Department of Home Affairs.

Feathers and items containing feathers are allowed into Australia from any country if they are manufactured feather items for personal use. You may bring up to 10 feather articles as a personal import. Feather articles that do not meet these requirements will be treated, exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Beeswax products (including beeswax wraps, candles and furniture polish) are allowed into Australia for personal use. Beeswax products must be inspected to verify they are clean and free from insects, seeds or other contamination. The products must be clearly identifiable.

Beeswax products that do not meet these requirements will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Fishing gear (excluding bait), camping and water sport/sporting equipment

Recreational and sporting equipment that has been used outside Australia can contain harmful diseases (e.g. African swine fever and Foot and Mouth) or invasive freshwater pests (e.g. Didymosphenia geminata also known as Didymo).

Fishing gear (including rods, reels and tackle), camping and sporting equipment is allowed into Australia. All equipment must be clean and dry when it arrives in Australia. Before travelling to Australia be sure to clean your equipment thoroughly to remove any:

• soil, mud or clay
• animal or faecal matter
• plant matter such as straw, twigs, leaves, roots, bark or unidentified seeds.

Specific conditions for equipment used in freshwater

Equipment that has been used in freshwater lakes or rivers overseas must be:

• clean and free from visible clumps of algae
• completely dry.

If the equipment doesn’t meet these requirements, or if it cannot be inspected to verify that is clean and completely dry, it must be treated, exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

For the full list of import requirements refer to BICON.

Leather goods, hides, furs and skins that have been effectively and fully tanned are allowed into Australia. This includes items such as animal skin (leather) purses, shoes, wallets and belts.

Animal skin floor mats must be inspected to confirm that the item is fully tanned and to ensure they are free from contamination (e.g. animal tissue, soil, feathers, insects, seeds, bark).

Rawhide items are permitted if they are for personal use only and are free from adhering animal tissue, other contamination or evidence of decay. You may bring up to 10 rawhide articles as a personal import. Rawhide items must be inspected on arrival to confirm they meet these requirements.

If an item does not meet the above conditions it must be treated, exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Hides and fur may be subject to Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy control under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Items known to be or considered to be covered by CITES will be referred to the Department of Home Affairs on arrival in Australia.

If you are unsure whether the item you wish to bring into Australia is of CITES concern you should contact the Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy.

Seashells (excluding oyster shells), sand, rocks and fossils are allowed into Australia if they are free from insects, soil, and animal and plant material. The items must be inspected on arrival to ensure they are free from infestation and contamination.

If items do not meet these import conditions they must be treated, exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

If the goods are identified as soil, an import permit will be required, refer to BICON.

Some seashells (e.g. Queen Conch) may be subject to Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy control under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Items known to be or considered to be covered by CITES will be referred to the Department of Home Affairs on arrival in Australia.

If you are unsure whether the item you wish to bring into Australia is of CITES concern you should contact the Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy.

Seeds

Seeds can be sent or brought to Australia if they meet the following requirements:

• Seeds must be a permitted species, and not otherwise prohibited from being imported into Australia. Search for the species you wish to import in BICON.
• Seeds arriving through the mail, air courier or passenger baggage will need to be commercially packaged and labelled with the full botanical name (genus and species).
• Seeds must be free of live insects, soil, disease symptoms, non-permitted seeds, other plant material (e.g. leaf, stem material, fruit pulp, pod material), animal material and any other contamination.
• If the seeds require an import permit from the Department of Agriculture, the sender must sight a copy of the import permit to ensure that they can meet the conditions for sending seeds to Australia and include a copy of the permit in the consignment.

For information about the specific seeds you wish to bring to Australia refer to BICON. This system lists the import conditions under which various commodities may be brought into Australia. Using the BICON search facility, enter the botanical or common name of the seeds, then click "search" and the BICON database will return the results. If an import permit is required, or if any other specific conditions apply, BICON will specify this.

Seeds that do not meet import requirements will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

Live plants

Most live plants must not be imported to Australia unless the importer has a valid import permit from the Department of Agriculture.

Read more about import permits and view import conditions including documentation requirements and post entry quarantine periods for live plants.

Wooden items are allowed into Australia if they are free from bark, insects and signs of insect damage (such as borer holes) or any other contamination. To check for insect damage look closely at wooden items for holes and sawdust. Wooden items must be declared on arrival and inspected.

Wooden items that do not meet these import conditions will be treated, exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

For more information visit Importing wooden and bamboo articles for non-commercial (personal) use.

Cats and dogs may only be imported to Australia under strict conditions. For more information visit Bringing cats and dogs to Australia.

If you are interested in importing pet birds, horses and rabbits, reproductive material, laboratory animals or aquarium fish visit Importing live animals and reproductive material.

If you are looking to purchase a unique or exotic animal, such as a pet reptile, insect or amphibian from outside Australia, visit Unique or exotic pets.