Mailing goods to Australia - Department of Agriculture

We assess all mail parcels arriving at Australia’s international mail centres. Our biosecurity officers and detector dogs look for risk goods such as food, animal products (including meat and pet food) and plant material (including seeds, cacti and succulents).

You must comply with Australian biosecurity laws when mailing goods to Australia. This applies to everyone, including:

online sellers (business or individual) sending goods to Australian buyers
family and friends who want to send a gift to someone in Australia
Australian residents buying goods online from outside Australia.

Follow our advice to avoid extra costs, loss of goods, delays or dissatisfied customers.

Biosecurity officers inspecting mail. Biosecurity officer screening mail using X-ray. Biosecurity officer and detector dog screen parcels on mail belt.

Check that it is allowed

Before you mail any food, animal products or plant material to Australia check that it is allowed.

Some goods pose a significant risk and are not permitted entry into Australia, while other goods are only allowed if they meet import conditions. This may include holding a valid import permit issued by us or treatment to reduce the biosecurity risk.

If goods arrive and do not meet import conditions, they will be destroyed or sent back to the overseas sender.

Check what you can send to Australia:

use our passenger and mail inquiry
search our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON)
read our advice on sending gifts for cultural celebrations and seasonal events.

Import conditions in BICON are reviewed regularly. Make sure you check the conditions each time you send goods to Australia.

After screening and assessment by our biosecurity officers, mail that does not pose a biosecurity risk will be released for delivery by Australia Post.

Prepare and declare your goods

Clean

If you are sending footwear, sporting, fishing or camping equipment ensure it is clean, dry and free from soil, seeds or plant material. Visit BICON for more information.

Pack

Do not pack goods in egg cartons, wooden boxes, or cardboard boxes that have been used to hold fruit, vegetables and meat or smallgoods. These packing materials are a biosecurity risk as live insects and bugs often hide in crevices.

Do not pack with straw or dried plant material. Use newspaper or foam to wrap fragile goods.

Declare

Make sure you fill out the declaration label clearly and correctly. Include a detailed description and itemise everything inside the parcel, including any packing materials you have used.

Contact us

You can contact us for advice to make sure the goods you want to send comply with Australian law.