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Customs - Australian quarantine
Food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the worlds most serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating the valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment. You must declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases
Some products may require treatment to make them safe. Other items that pose pest and disease risks will be seized and destroyed by AQIS. You can dispose of high-risk items in quarantine bins in the airport terminal.
If youre not sure, ask a Quarantine officer.
Declare or Beware!
These items must be declared and inspected upon arrival. They pose a high quarantine risk but may be allowed if accompanied by an Import Permit (issued by AQIS prior to arrival), or with treatment* in Australia to make the item safe. Alternatively items will be seized and destroyed by AQIS, or you can drop them in quarantine bins at the airport.
Food commercially prepared, cooked and raw food and ingredients
dried fruit and vegetables
instant noodles and rice
packaged meals
herbs and spices
herbal and traditional medicines, remedies, tonics and herbal teas
snack foods
biscuits, cakes and confectionery
black tea, coffee and other beverages
infant formula (must be accompanying a child)
airline food/snacks.
Dairy and egg products
dairy products (fresh and powdered) including milk, cheese and non-dairy creamers
dairy products that contain more than 10 per cent dairy as stated on manufacturers ingredients list
cheese must be commercially prepared and packaged and originate from countries free from foot and mouth disease
airline food containing dairy including milk, yoghurt and sandwiches containing cheese
all whole, dried and powdered eggs, and egg products that contain more than 10 per cent egg as an ingredient, such as mayonnaise
homemade egg products including noodles and pasta that are not commercially manufactured.
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Animal Products
all uncanned meat including fresh, dried, frozen, cooked, smoked, salted or preserved - from all animal species
sausages, salami and sliced meats
airline food including sandwiches containing meat
fish and other seafood products*
pet food including canned products and rawhide chews
rawhide articles and handicrafts including drums.
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Seeds and Nuts
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cereal grains, popping corn, raw nuts, pine cones, birdseed, unidentified seeds, some commercially packaged seeds, and ornaments including seeds.
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Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
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all fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables.
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Live Animals and Animal Products
all mammals, birds, birds eggs and nests, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects
feathers, bones, horns, tusks, wool and animal hair
skins, hides and furs
stuffed animals and birds (taxidermy certificate required - some may be prohibited under endangered species laws)
shells and coral (including jewellery and souvenirs)
bee products including honey,* beeswax and honeycomb
used animal equipment including veterinary equipment and medicines, shearing or meat trade tools, saddlery and tack and animal or bird cages.
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Other Goods
biological specimens including tissue culture
craft and hobby lines made from animal or plant material
used sporting and camping equipment including tents, footwear, hiking boots, golf equipment and bicycles (need to be checked to ensure they are clean and free from soil contamination)
used freshwater watercraft or fishing equipment including rods and nets, waders, kayaks, paddles and life jackets.
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Plant Material
all potted/bare rooted plants, cuttings, roots, bulbs, corms, stems and other viable plant material
banana products including food (fresh and dried) and souvenirs made with banana plant material
souvenirs made with or filled with straw, including Thai cushions
wooden articles and carvings including painted or lacquered items
items that include bark
artefacts, handicrafts and souvenirs made from plant material
mats, bags and other items made from plant material, palm fronds or leaves
straw products and packaging
bamboo, cane or rattan basket ware and furnishings
potpourri* and coconut shells
Christmas decorations, wreaths and ornaments
dried flowers and arrangements
fresh flowers and leis
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Tipping is optional
There is a significant risk that the freshwater alga, Didymo could enter, establish and spread in Australia on used watercraft, sporting or fishing equipment.
If you are planning to bring fishing rods and nets, waders, kayaks, paddles, life jackets or any other recreational freshwater equipment into Australia, you should:
1. make sure all equipment is thoroughly cleaned and dry - not wet or damp, and
2. present all equipment (clean and unclean) to a Quarantine officer for inspection when you arrive.
Quarantine officers may send the equipment for treatment to make sure it is safe.
Import conditions for 'freshwater' commodities may apply - check import conditions on ICON search for 'fresh water'.
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Before you land in Australia
You will be given an Incoming Passenger Card before you land in Australia. This is a legal document. You must tick YES to declare if you are carrying any food, plant material or animal products. If you have items you dont wish to declare, you can dispose of them in quarantine bins in the airport terminal.
On arrival your baggage may be X-Rayed, inspected or checked by a detector dog team. If you fail to declare or dispose of any quarantine items, or make a false declaration:
you will be caught
you could be fined $220 on-the-spot, or
you could be prosecuted and fined more than $60,000 and risk 10 years jail.
You will not be penalised if goods are declared.
An important note for domestic passengers travelling on international flights:
If youre carrying food or other items subject to quarantine, you must show the quarantine officer a receipt or other document proving that the product is of Australian origin. If you cannot show proof, your goods will be seized. Please note that some states prohibit the entry of fresh fruit from other parts of Australia.
What happens to items I declare?
In many cases items you declare will be returned to you after inspection. However, anything that presents a disease risk or is found to contain insects or larvae will be withheld. Depending on the quarantine risk, you can:
pay for the item to be treated to make it safe (for example fumigation, irradiation)
store the item at the airport for collection when you leave Australia
re-export the item or
have the item destroyed by AQIS.
Treatment may damage goods. AQIS makes every effort to minimise the risk of damage but does not accept liability for damage that may occur as a result of treatment.
*These options are subject to fees and special conditions may apply.
Detector Dogs
Detector dogs are trained to detect food, plants, animals and their products in passengers bags. If you see a detector dog working close to you, please place your bag on the floor. The dog will simply sit next to your bag if it finds something: an AQIS officer may ask you about whats in your bag, and check to make sure theres nothing that could present a quarantine risk to Australia.
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