Think before you pack: Australia’s customs and biosecurity rules explained

There’s a long list of food and plant items that are not permitted into Australia as they could introduce pests and disease that we have managed to keep out.

“Our biosecurity status on this great big island is absolutely essential for our trade, for our community comfort, for our agricultural productivity and for our beautiful environment and our incredible native species. That is what we are trying to protect,” Vikki Fischer says. She is Assistant Secretary of Traveller Policy and Operations with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Agriculture underpins thousands of livelihoods across the country. Strict biosecurity laws also ensure Australia can trade internationally, free from pests and disease.

Australian Border Force Officers will be one of your first points of contact when entering the country. Credit: ABF

What is the Incoming Passenger Card?

When we enter Australia by plane or ship, we’re given an Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) that we’re required to complete on the plane or before reaching customs.

By answering all the questions on the card, we’re alerting the Australian Border Force (ABF) Officers to any potentially prohibited goods that we might be carrying—even unknowingly.

“That yellow card, the IPC, is a legal document,” Vikki Fischer warns. “You are declaring, on that legal document, whether or not you are carrying any sort of food items, [… ] any plant products, any animal products, any dirt on your boots, perhaps.”

All food, plant material, animal products that might seem harmless, must be declared.
Vikki Fischer

If you’re carrying anything listed on the card it must be declared. You’ll then be directed to a Biosecurity Officer who can assess whether or not the goods are a biosecurity risk.

Declaring an item does not automatically mean it will be confiscated. In many cases, officers simply assess the risk and allow safe items through.

Some foods like chocolate or processed lollies have no biosecurity risk, but if you’re unsure, declare it.

It’s vital that you know exactly what’s packed in your luggage, seasoned traveller Eleni Moutselou warns.

It’s vital that you know exactly what’s packed in your own luggage. Source: Moment RF / d3sign/Getty Images

When going through customs, ABF Officers discovered high-risk meats and dairy products in her bags.

“They were very annoyed, and I was terrified of course. But as it had happened, my mother had put those things in my suitcase at the last minute without my knowing, and I told them that. They said, ‘do you know you could be fined or go to prison for that?”

What if I need help filling in the card?

If you find it difficult to understand the card, ABF Officers are there to assist once you arrive at the immigration line, ABF Acting Superintendent Neil Singh says.

The International Passenger Card comes in 48 different languages so we can cater for people from all different countries that arrive into Australia.
Neil Singh

Australian Border Control Officers are available to help you complete you Incoming Passenger Card. Credit: ABF

What are some other prohibited items?

Carrying items that pose security risks such as weapons, illicit drugs and hazardous materials, and even sharp objects, is highly regulated. Everything must be declared. There are serious consequences for concealing items, Mr Singh warns.

“Usually if you haven't deliberately done something wrong then the item will just be seized off you. But if you have deliberately intended to hide it from us, then obviously there will be further consequences which can lead anywhere from seizure, infringement notices up into jail time.”

Quarantine detection dog Willa inspects passenger's baggage at Sydney International Airport. Australia currently has one of the strictest quarantine policies in the world. (Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images) Credit: Ian Waldie/Getty Images

What if I fail to declare prohibited goods?

The prohibited items list is lengthy so if you're unsure, declare it. Sometimes what you think is safe to bring in can actually lead to the biggest penalties.

Declaring anything you’re unsure about allows Biosecurity Officers to assess the risks and prevent the threat of invasive species.

The times when you are fined are when you fail to make a truthful declaration on the Incoming Passenger Card, Ms Fischer warns.

“If you say, ‘I've got no food products, I‘ve got no plant products, I’ve got no animal products’, then if your bag is screened or the dog checks your bag over and we find that you do actually have material in your bag, that is when people are fined. It's only when they don't declare.”

Airport customs is your chance to declare any goods that you're unsure about. Credit: ABF

What are some common items to declare?

Medicines

Common medicines such as aspirin and paracetamol are permitted but most pharmaceuticals should be declared—even if they’re issued over the counter.

“I always declare all my medicines, everything,” Ms Moutselou says. “My GP has written a letter about why I need those medications, so I can present it if they need it, but once I produce all the medicines, they're very understanding.”

If you can carry a doctor’s certificate with you, that makes things easier but it’s not mandatory.

“Personal medications aren't an issue coming into Australia as long as you keep the medication in its original packaging,” Mr Singh adds.

You can carry up to three months’ worth of medication.

Cash

There’s no limit to the amount of cash we can lawfully bring into Australia, however any funds above $10,000 must be declared and registered.

Alcohol and tobacco

Individuals are permitted 250ml of alcohol and 25 cigarettes, or 25 grams of tobacco. This includes any duty-free that you purchase on the way in.

Gifts

Rules also apply to the gifts and souvenirs we bring into Australia.

“We obviously want you to bring presents back to the family or friends,” Mr Singh says. “And with that you have a limit up to $900.

“And what people should remember is personal items for yourself such as clothing, shoes and so forth aren't part of that $900. If it is more than $900, you could be liable for duty and taxes.”

A comprehensive list of prohibited goods is available online: Australian Border Force

If you’re in doubt, declare it. A few extra minutes at the airport can help you avoid penalties and protect Australia’s environment, economy and way of life.

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Subscribe to or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia.

Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Email australiaexplained@sbs.com.au

Transcript

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SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways across Australia.

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You're listening to Australia Explained, an SBS audio podcast helping you navigate life in Australia.

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Customs is generally the first point of contact for people entering Australia.

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And Australian Border Force officers are ready at the gate focused on keeping prohibited goods out of the country.

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All food, plant material, animal products that might seem harmless must be declared.

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I always declare all my medicines, everything.

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This is Australia Explained. I'm your host, Melissa Compagnoni, and in this episode we look at how Australia's strong biosecurity measures protect our unique environment, economy, and communities. So before you zip up your suitcase, here's what you need to know about what can and can't cross the border and what's at stake if biosecurity rules are ignored.

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Australia's biosecurity laws are considered some of the strictest in the world, and for good reason. As an island nation, Australia has been able to keep many pests and diseases at bay, but that protection depends on vigilance. There's a long list of food and plant items that are not permitted into Australia as they could introduce pests and disease that we have managed to keep out.

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Vikki Fischer is assistant secretary of traveller policy and operations with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

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Our biosecurity status on this great big island is absolutely essential for our trade, for our community comfort, for our agricultural productivity, and for our beautiful environment and our incredible native species.

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That is what we are trying to protect the economy and our community and our way of life and our environment.

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Agriculture underpins thousands of livelihoods across the country. Strict biosecurity laws also ensure Australia can trade internationally, free from pests and disease. That's why when travelling to Australia by plane or cruise ship, passengers must complete an incoming passenger card.

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It's the card that we're given on the plane or as we enter the airport. By answering all the questions on the card, we're alerting the Australian Border Force, or ABF officers to any potentially prohibited goods that we might be carrying, even unknowingly.

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That yellow card, the IPC or the incoming passenger card, is a legal document. You are declaring

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on that legal document, whether or not you are carrying any sort of food items, for example, so any plant products, any animal products, any dirt on your boots, perhaps, all food, plant material, animal products that might seem harmless must be declared.

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What if you're carrying food? What if you have muddy shoes or have packed a large number of gifts for your family?

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If you're carrying anything listed on the card, it must be declared. Ms Fischer says.

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The declaration then means that you go and see a biosecurity officer who will be able to assess whether or not the goods are a biosecurity risk or whether they are OK to go through. So there are some things like chocolate or processed lollies which

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have got no biosecurity risk, but if you are not sure, you declare it.

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Declaring an item does not automatically mean it will be confiscated. In many cases, officers simply assess the risk and allow safe items through. Even if you find it difficult to understand the card, help is available to ensure you declare everything.

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ABF Acting Superintendent Neil Singh says the biosecurity officers have you covered.

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The international passenger card comes in 48 different languages, so we can cater for people from all different countries that arrive into Australia, and the Australian Border Force officers are available once you arrive at the immigration line, and they can assist with your incoming passenger card.

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It's vital that you know exactly what's packed in your luggage, seasoned traveller Eleni Moutselou warns. When going through customs, ABF officers discovered high risk meats and dairy products in her bags. They were very

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annoyed and I was terrified, of course, but as it had happened, my mother

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had put those things in my suitcase at the last minute without my knowing, and I told them that. So they confiscated the goods and they let me go and warned me. They said, Do you know, you could be fined or go to prison for that?

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Ms Moutselou was lucky and that was her first and last warning.

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The prohibited items list is lengthy, so not everyone understands what is permitted and what must be declared when entering Australia. Mr Singh says if you're unsure, declare it, because sometimes what you think is safe to bring in can actually lead to the biggest penalties. Carrying items that pose security risks such as weapons,

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illicit drugs and hazardous materials and even sharp objects is highly regulated. Everything must be declared.

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But if it is something that's brought in such as a slingshot and you weren't aware that it is a prohibited item unless it's concealed and hidden, once we go through an interview process, we'll work out different penalties. Usually if you haven't deliberately

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done something wrong, then the item will just be seized off you. But if you have deliberately intended to hide it from us, then obviously there'll be further consequences which can lead anywhere from seizure, infringement notices up into jail time.

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Declaring anything you're unsure about allows biosecurity officers to assess the risks and prevent the threat of invasive species.

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The times when you're fined are when you fail to make a truthful declaration on the incoming passenger card, Ms Fischer warns.

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So if you turn up and you say, I've got no food products in my bag, but the biosecurity officer asks you, Are you sure? And if you say, you know, I've got no

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food products, I've got no plant products, I've got no animal products, then if your bag is screened or the dog checks your bag over and we find that you do actually have material in your bag, that is when people are fined. It's only when they don't declare.

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In other words, the penalty is not for carrying an item, it's for failing to declare it.

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Common medicines such as aspirin and paracetamol are permitted, but most other pharmaceuticals should be declared, even if they're issued over the counter. Ms Moutselou again.

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I always declare all my medicines, everything. My GP has written a letter about why I need those medications, so I can present it if they need it, but once I produce all the medicines, they're very understanding.

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And if you can carry a doctor's certificate with you, that makes it easier, but it's not mandatory, Mr Singh adds.

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Personal medications aren't an issue coming into Australia as long as you keep the medication in its original packaging and you're allowed to carry up to 3 months' worth of medication with you at a time.

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A common misconception is the amount of cash we can lawfully bring into Australia. There's actually no limit. However, any funds above $10,000 must be declared. You'll then go through a simple registration process. Alcohol and tobacco are restricted to 250 millilitres of alcohol and 25

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cigarettes or 25 grams of tobacco per person. This includes any duty free that you might purchase on the way in. Mr Singh adds that rules also apply to the value of gifts you bring into Australia.

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You can bring in gifts and souvenirs. We don't want you to stop doing that. We obviously want you to bring presents back to the family or friends when you're visiting.

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And with that, you have a limit up to $900 and what people should remember is personal items for yourself such as clothing, shoes, and so forth aren't part of that $900. If it is more than $900 you could be liable for duty and taxes.

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A comprehensive list of prohibited goods is available on the Australian Border Force website. If you're in doubt, declare it. A few extra minutes at the airport can help you avoid penalties and protect Australia's environment, economy and way of life.

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Thanks for listening to this episode of Australia Explained, written and produced by me, Melissa Compagnoni, in collaboration with Sushen Desai. Australia Explained managing editor is Roza Germian.

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This was an SBS audio podcast. For more Australia Explained stories, visit SBS.com.au/Australiaexplained.

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Subscribe or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia. Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Send us an email to australiaexplained at SBS.com.au.

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