Key Points
- Unless you have a special permit, you are not allowed to bring in foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meat products, rice, beans, eggs, and freshwater fish.
- Some commercially packaged seeds and prescription medication for personal use.
- If a traveller fails to declare or dispose of any biosecurity risk goods, they may be fined or face prosecution, and in some cases even refused entry into the country.
Australia has strict biosecurity laws and procedures to ensure that goods entering the country will not harm Australia's unique environment and agricultural industries.
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment regulates products imported into the country through the .
Alan Self, the Operations Manager at Brisbane Airport, says it is travellers' responsibility to be informed about which items they can and cannot bring into the country and comply with the department's import conditions.
On arrival, all passengers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card.
Mr Self stresses filling it out correctly and declaring any goods that may pose a biosecurity risk like food, animal products and plant material, including wooden articles.
Biosecurity officers inspect declared goods and decide whether the goods can safely enter the country or require treatment, export, or destruction.
While many commodities can enter Australia, Mr Self says, the ones that pose a risk of introducing harmful pests and diseases are not allowed unless they have special import permission issued by the department.
Fresh fruit and vegetables could bring in live insects or plant diseases.
"A piece of fruit that entered into Queensland several years ago brought in the papaya fruit fly. In one year alone, we had 20 million dollars’ worth of loss export to the Queensland economy by introducing that particular pest just in mango exports to Japan alone."
Fresh fruit and vegetable could introduce serious pests, such as fruit fly, that could be devastating for Australian agriculture and unique environment Source: Credit: GettyImage / Joao Paulo Burin
That’s why, Mr Self says, all meat products must be declared.
Dried beef or pork products, salamis or sausages could introduce foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever.
Mr Self explains that saltwater fish is allowed as long as it is gutted and gilled, and there is a 10kg limit. But freshwater species such as salmon and trout are not permitted.
While all other foods, including dairy products, cakes, honey and seafood, are subject to inspection, commodities like rice, pulses and crop seeds are generally restricted from entering the country for private use.
"These are all the things Australia is really good at growing, and we export them to the rest of the world."
Unless accompanied by a valid , eggs, live animals, plants, cuttings, wooden products and other biological materials are also not allowed.
Seeds for sawing may be permitted, but must be declared, Mr Self explains.
"We need to check our database to ensure that that particular species of seed is permissible or allowed to come into the country."
All seeds must be commercially packaged and have a correct botanical name on the packaging.
Seeds must be commercially packaged and must have a correct botanical name on the packaging Source: GettyImage / Hans L Bonnevier, Johner
What are the consequences for not declaring goods?
Mr Self says that the consequences for not declaring goods can be quite costly.
"Those fines could range from $444 for small breaches such as not declaring eggs to $1332 for bringing in fresh fruit to $2600 for not declaring a meat product."
He points out that if the biosecurity risk is significant on the not declared goods, travellers with certain classifications of visas may even be refused entry into Australia.
That could be student visas, 457 visas, transit visas, or tourist visas.
Acting Superintendent with the Australian Border Force Matthew Rowe says travellers should be wary when buying souvenirs designed to harm people from overseas sellers.
Among travellers returning from Asia Mr Rowe says they often find weapons such as strolling stars, crossbows, knuckle dusters, and other things that are prohibited.
The person may end up being fined or facing prosecution if they bring such items into the country.
Mr Rowe says written permission to import firearms is needed from the Department of Home Affairs before importation.
Brining in the the medicine for personal use often require a prescription written in the English language Source: GettyImage / Shana Novak
Can you bring medication?
While medication for personal use is allowed, there are restrictions, and they often require a prescription or letter from your doctor written in the English language.
If you are not sure whether an item is allowed, Mr Rowe points out that the best thing to do is to declare such goods on Incoming Passenger Card or IPC and approach an Australian Border Force officer for help.
If you are unsure, please declare it.
“We do have a wide range of translation cards available that can assist you, and we may also have an officer that does speak your language that can help you work through your Incoming Passenger Card.”
For further information on what goods you can bring into Australia ,visit the .
And if you are planning on bringing alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, electronic equipment and valuable items like jewellery, check with the .
If you are not sure whether an item is allowed, the best thing to do is to declare such goods and speak to an Australian Border Force officer Source: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images