Australian Customs and Biosecurity FAQs

Before coming to Australia, you should have a valid passport and if required, a valid tourist visa. It is strongly advised that you have adequate health insurance, which is a mandatory requirement for some visas. You must also ensure you have enough money to support yourself for the duration of your visit, so research the costs associated with accommodation, transport, food and essential items, tours and activities.

Once you have completed passenger arrival processing, proceed to customs declarations. A Border Force officer will collect your Incoming Passenger Card and may ask you questions about what you have brought with you. It is imperative that you truthfully declare the items you are bringing into Australia as failure to do so may result in penalties. There may be detector dogs present and you may be required to place your luggage through an X-ray machine and have your belongings searched.

When entering Australia from overseas, you must declare if you are carrying any of the items in this list:

• Prohibited or restricted goods including medicines, steroids, illegal pornography, firearms weapons or illicit drugs.
• Goods purchased overseas or duty/tax free in Australia with a combined total price of more than AUD $900 per adult (18 years or over); AUD $450 per child. This includes items purchased as gifts.
• Alcohol: Up to 2.25 litres (0.5 imperial gallons or 0.59 US gallons) of alcoholic beverages (liquor, wine and Champagne) per adult.
• Tobacco: 25 cigarettes or the equivalent of 25 grams (0.88 ounces) of smokeless tobacco products per adult.
• Goods or product samples for business or commercial use.
• AUD$10,000 or more in Australian or foreign currency equivalent.
• Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables.
• Plants or parts of plants, including grains, seeds, nuts, bulbs, straw, wood, and traditional herbs or medicines.
• Animals, or animal products including pet food, specimens, birds, fish, insects, shells, and bee products.
• Soil, items with soil attached or used in freshwater areas e.g. sports/recreational equipment, shoes.

Australia’s airports and cruise ports provide services for people with disabilities which assist with getting on and off the plane or ship, getting around the terminal, customs processing and baggage handling. Some airports also offer a shuttle system, moving walkways, and curbside baggage check-in to make things easier for less-abled travellers. People with disabilities and any assistive device must go through the same security screening and customs processing as everyone else. Special assistance is also available for people with vision, hearing and other sensory impairments and is best arranged through your airline. For more information visit the People With Disability Australia and Tourism Australia’s Accessible Tourism websites.