Australia’s strict laws prohibit the importation of animals or plants into the country. The cabins of all aircraft arriving from abroad are disinfected. This is done in order to eliminate any flying insect that could cause various tropical diseases to enter Australia. The import of soil, sand and organic matter is prohibited, so make sure that all things are thoroughly cleaned. You cannot carry illegal drugs. In Australia, there are severe penalties for drug abuse, which can include imprisonment.
Medicines brought into Australia are subject to strict controls and must be presented in the red corridor upon arrival. An import permit may be required for products containing illegal substances such as narcotics, amphetamines, barbiturates, tranquilizers, growth hormones, steroids, and erythropoietin (EPO). The import of medicines containing components of human or animal origin, as well as traditional medicine products containing components of protected animal species, may be restricted or require special permission.
Therapeutic Goods Administration website: www.health.gov.au/tga
Australian Sports Medicines Agency website: www.asda.org.au
The importation of firearms (including air pistols), weapons and ammunition (including: blowpipes, daggers, slingshots, jump-blade knives, crossbows, brass knuckles, and their copies, but not including children’s toys) may be prohibited or require special permission (Restricted Goods Permit) and security check. Check with customs before traveling. Please check with the airline prior to travel regarding the packaging of dangerous goods.
If you do not declare anything, go through the green corridor. If you declare something, go through the red corridor. Both in the red and green corridors, customs and quarantine officers can ask you questions, as well as check your luggage.
If you declare prohibited goods, you may be given the opportunity to take them back. Otherwise, you will be fined on the spot, and the case may be taken to court.
Australia strictly controls the import/export of products made from wildlife (sturgeon caviar, hard corals (including black corals), giant clam shells, orchids (including live ones), turtles, alligators, crocodiles (including gharials and caimans), big cats (leopards, tigers, jaguars), elephants (especially ivory and skins), snakes, lizards and monitor lizards (iguanas), rhinos, zebras, whales. Only Environment Australia permits are accepted. If in doubt, declare all goods that, in your opinion, may fall into this category.
Environment Australia: www.biodiversity.environment.gov.au/wildlife
It is prohibited by law to export or ship from Australia without special permission (for information on requirements and permissions, contact the Ministry of Communications and the Arts) objects declared as Australian cultural heritage (works of fine art, stamps, coins, archaeological finds, minerals and specimens, etc.).).
Ministry of Communications and Arts. Cultural Department: Email: movable.heritage@dcita.gov.au
Cash in the amount of $A10,000 or more or the equivalent amount in another currency (banknotes and coins) must be declared on the declaration upon arrival and departure.
Passengers are allowed to bring into Australia duty-free the following:
– items worth $A400 ($A200 for passengers under 18), not including alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. For example, cameras, electronic equipment, perfumes, jewelry, watches, etc. (meaning gifts).
– tobacco products: 250 cigarettes or 250 g of cigars or other tobacco products for passengers over 18 years of age
– 1125 ml of alcoholic beverages (including wine, beer or spirits) for passengers over 18 years of age
– most personal items such as new clothes, shoes, toilet items.
– personal effects that have been in use for at least 12 months may be brought into Australia free of duty and sales tax (proof of purchase date may be required)
– Items purchased overseas or purchased in Australia without paying duty and sales tax before departure are included in the duty-free allowance.
Family members traveling together can add up their duty-free allowance.
Gifts (given to you or intended for others) count as part of the duty-free allowance ($A400).
If you have anything in excess of the duty-free allowance, declare the goods and present proof of purchase to customs to calculate the amount of tax or duty to pay. Customs does not collect tax and duty less than $A50 if excess goods have been declared. Tax and customs exemptions for things you are taking with you do not apply to unaccompanied baggage. It is only exempt from duty or tax if you have owned and used the items within the last 12 months. This rule applies to items sent to Australia by post.
