Do not bring in items that are expressly prohibited by customs. Food, animal and plant products are not recommended. If you do need to bring them in, please declare them at the time of entry or exit. If you are unsure whether or not you need to declare your belongings, please consult with your airline crew or an immigration officer on site, or preferably declare them.
Declaration does not necessarily mean that luggage will be opened for inspection, but failure to truthfully declare prohibited or restricted items, dutiable items, and providing a forged ticket may result in forfeiture or a fine of A$340, a fine of more than A$66,000, or 10 years' imprisonment. Declaring items truthfully will not result in penalties, even if you are not allowed to enter the country after inspection.
Keep your luggage secure and be careful about carrying items for others, especially strangers, especially if you do not know what you are carrying in order to prevent malicious use. It is recommended that items that need to be declared be placed together in one piece of luggage for inspection. Inspections are usually carried out on suspicious persons or items, and may include X-ray scanning, unpacking, and canine sniffing. Please be cooperative and answer inquiries truthfully.
(I) Prohibited Items
Australia prohibits the following items from entering or leaving the country: marijuana (Marijuana, Cannabis), heroin, cocaine
and amphetamines.
Australia's penalties for drug-related crime are severe, and in addition to the Customs Act, each state has specific legislation on the manufacture, possession, trafficking and consumption of drugs.
Criminals often trick students and others into picking up parcels containing drugs on their behalf for the sake of "quick money". Be careful about picking up or receiving packages for others, especially if you are offered a reward for doing so.
Warning case
◆ In November 2013, two minors were caught giving their addresses to a criminal gang to collect drugs for them.
◆ According to media reports, in February 2015, 5 Chinese students were sentenced by a Melbourne court to 4-9 years in prison and will be repatriated to their home country for participating in a drug gang to smuggle methamphetamine.
◆ In August 2015, a Chinese national was arrested while collecting a mailed parcel on behalf of a friend in NSW, and police seized a large amount of drugs from the parcel.
(2) Controlled Items
The following controlled items need to be truthfully declared when bringing them into or out of China:
1. Guns, weapons and ammunition
Including all kinds of knives, bows and crossbows. Most of the above items require prior written authorization. Click on Contact to inquire about the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
2. Illegal pornography and other objectionable materials
Includes materials with child pornography and violence, materials that incite crime and violence, and materials that advocate terrorist activities, as well as hard disks, computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices with the above content. Click on Contact to inquire about the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
(C) Medications
1. The following medications, which may be misused or abused, or which may lead to dependence, need to be authorized and declared in advance: Steroids, Opioids
analgesics, Cannabis or narcotic based medications). Contact the Health Insurance Agency at 1800
552 152; or the Medical Supplies Authority at 1800 020 653.
2. Prescription medications. Prescription medicines with a dosage of more than 3 months need to be declared. It is recommended to keep the medication in its original packaging and bring a doctor's prescription (in English with a description of the condition). Medicines used for more than 3 months should be consulted and purchased locally in Australia. Purchasing medicines by mail or other means requires prior authorization to import them accordingly. For more information, visit the Department of Health website.
3. Growth hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), steroids and steroid hormones that promote physical performance require prior authorization and declaration. This can be done by contacting the Sports and Anti-Doping Agency (SADA) on 1300 027
232 or the Medical Supplies Authority (MSA) on 1800 020 653.
4. Certain traditional medicines may contain hazardous plant and animal ingredients and need to be declared as well.
(4) Cash
There is a limit on the amount of cash that can be brought in: bringing in more than A$10,000 (including) or the equivalent in foreign currency must be declared. Cheques, traveler's cheques, personal cheques, cashier's cheques, postal money orders or other instruments, regardless of their amount, must be declared. For details, please contact the Capital Circulation Report and Analysis Center at 1800
021 037.
Warning Cases
◆ In January 2014, a Hong Kong, China, resident was detained by the police at Perth Airport for failing to declare a large amount of cash as he was carrying it out of the country.
◆ In January 2015, a Chinese national who brought 200,000 Hong Kong dollars into the country from Adelaide, South Australia, was given a warning and fined for failing to make a declaration, and was detained for scrutiny when he left the country because he still had not made a declaration.
(5) Food, animal and plant and biological products
Overseas food, animal and plant products may carry pests and diseases that threaten Australia's agriculture, tourism and environment, and should be declared truthfully:
(1) General food items: including all types of food provided on board aircraft, dried vegetables, fruits, instant noodles (rice), herbs, spices, honey and other bee products, snacks.
(2) Milk and egg: infant formula, milk products (including milk powder and cheese), and egg-containing products (e.g., salad dressings, egg noodles, etc.).
(3) Poultry and seafood: fresh, dried, frozen, cooked, smoked, and pickled meat products.
(4) Seeds and nuts: grains, popcorn, nuts, pine cones, birdseed, seeds, and jewelry with seeds.
(5) Fresh fruits and vegetables: fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
(6) Other botanicals: teas, fruit peels (e.g., citrus and apple peels), and fruit slices containing seeds; medicines containing seeds, bark, fungi, or other dried plants; fresh or dried flowers; handmade items such as wreaths, Christmas ornaments, and other items containing seeds and raw nuts; and wood products.
(7) Animals: animals, birds and their eggs, nests, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects; feathers, bones, horns, ivory, wool and animal hair, hides or furs; taxidermy; shells and coral (including jewelry and souvenirs); beeswax or other bee products; used animal-related tools, such as veterinary supplies, harnesses, etc.; pet food (including canned goods), etc.; raw leather products and handicrafts (including drums).
(8) Other items: biological specimens; artifacts made from plants and animals; used sports and camping equipment, including tents, shoes and boots (need to make sure that they are not contaminated by soil), etc.; used fishing equipment, etc.
Special note: During traditional Chinese festivals, do not bring or post the following items into the country: chicken, sausage or beef jerky; chicken and duck eggs; mandarin oranges, persimmons or fresh bamboo shoots; fresh or dried fruits, such as longan and lychee; Chinese herbal medicines containing cordyceps and ganoderma lucidum; and mooncakes.
After inspection, most declared items are usually left with the declarant. If it poses a threat to the Australian biological environment, the declarant may be required to pay for sterilizing treatment, or destroy the item. Questions can be submitted online by contacting the Department of Agriculture or by calling 1800
900 090.
(vi) Wildlife
The law strictly controls the import and export of protected wildlife, including traditional medicinal wildlife, coral, orchids, caviar, ivory products and items taken from hunting.
(VII) Cultural Relics
Permission is required to bring the following cultural relics into and out of the country: artifacts, stamps, coins, archaeological artifacts, and mineral samples. Contact the Ministry of the Environment at (02) 6274 1900.
(viii)Veterinary Supplies
All veterinary medicines brought into the country should be declared. Contact the Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Administration: (02) 6210 4701.