Goods to be declared to Australian customs

Australian Customs - List of goods to be declared

What you must declare before your arrival into Australian airport, if you have an ETA to Australia or an eVisitor ?
Our website describe all the obligations that the traveller must respect when traveling to Australia. We suggest you to read our page "FAQ" to have a full picture of obligations that you must respect when you go to Australia.
Refers, also, to the activities held by the traveller, which must be declared in the Passenger Card and which will be listed below.

The Australian government adopts a very restrictive policy on external agents (such as food parasites) that could undermine the stability of the Australian Ecosystem. So, it tries to scrupulously monitor all journeys with people arriving on the territory and that could introduce, even without their knowledge.

Live animals, plants, products of animal origin, plant materials and some types of food from abroad could introduce in Australia pests and diseases among the most harmful in the world, devastating agriculture, tourism sector and the unique environment that characterizes the Australian continent.

Prior to arrival in Australia, a Passenger Card is handed over to the traveller. Here, you have the opportunity to declare all that you bring with you and that could cause damage to the ecosystem. The traveller is obliged to provide this information!

An official of the Australian Ministry of Agriculture can check the goods that have been declared and the baggage during the crossing to the border. The same official could subject the passenger to an inspection, even if he hasn’t declared any goods. X-rays or police dogs may be used. The passenger must declare or eliminate goods that pose a risk for biosafety before inspection, by throwing them in appropriate containers. If he doesn’t do it or if he declares the fake on the Passenger Card, he may be in a position to have sanctions.

Providing false information or incomplete information is a serious crime that can lead to a criminal complaint.

Arrival in Australia

The following is a list of everything that must be declared before entering Australia.

Some foods, plant materials and animal products must be declared.

• food and snacks served on board the aircraft or ship;
• industrially prepared, cooked and raw foods and ingredients;
• vegetables and dried fruit;
• instant rice and noodle (oriental tradition dish);
• packaged meals;
• herbs and spices of any kind;
• traditional medicines and a herbal base, homeopathic products and infusions;
• snacks;
• honey and other beekeeping products such as royal jelly

Dairy and egg products

• baby products (eg milk powder)
• dairy products (fresh and powdered) including milk, mozzarella
• cheese and milk substitutes of non-milk origin
• eggs and products based on whole, dried and powdered eggs, for example mayonnaise
• egg products such as handmade pasta and noodle

Meat, poultry and fish products

• fresh, dried, frozen, cooked, smoked, salted or preserved meat - of any animal origin
• sausages, salami and cold cuts of all kinds
• fish and other fish products such as seafood

Seeds and nuts

• grain cereals, popcorn, raw walnuts, pine cones, birdseed, seeds of any plant species
• fresh fruits and vegetables
• any kind of fruit and vegetables (fresh and frozen)

Plant material

• live plants, including cuttings (fragments of plants)
• tea containing seeds, fruit peels (eg citrus and apple peels) and pieces of fruit
• remedies and herbal medicines containing herbs, seeds, bark, mushrooms and dried plant material
• fresh or dried flowers and potpourri
• herbs and dry leaves
• handicraft items - including Christmas wreaths and decorations containing seeds, raw walnuts, corn, pine cones, vines, bark, moss, straw and other plant material
• wooden articles

Live animals and animal products

• all mammals, birds, eggs and nests of birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects
• feathers, bones, horns, fangs, wool and fur of animals
• skins and furs
• stuffed animals and birds (some may be prohibited by the laws on the protection of endangered species)
• shells and corals including jewellery and souvenirs
• beeswax and other apiculture products
• equipment for used animals, including veterinary tools and medicines, tools for shearing and meat processing
• saddlery and cages for animals or birds
• pet food - including canned products and pet food items
• untanned leather and handicrafts (for example drums) of animal origin.

Other articles

• biological samples including tissue cultures
• products for crafts and hobbies of animal or plant origin
• used sports and camping equipment including tents, shoes, hiking boots, golf gear and bicycles (must be checked to ensure that they are clean and free from soil contamination)
• used freshwater vessels or fishing gear including fishing nets and rods, rubber boots and kayaks, oars and lifejackets

Important: if you have doubt on the goods that you bring with you, that aren’t on the previous list, we recommend to declare it anyway, to avoid problems with the check.

The list before is a summary of goods that you need to be declared on the Passenger Card at this time.
If you intend to travel to Australia, you need to know everything related to the trip, from the type of Visa for Australia online that you can request, as well as the obligations to be met.

If you have doubts or questions about what you can bring with you, do not hesitate to contact us.