Are you about to leave for Australia and you’re not sure what you can bring, what you can’t, and what you would need to declare? Here is a list of items you can and can’t bring in to Australia!
Here’s a step-by-step guide, especially if your mom has filled your suitcase with food. Pay attention to the following! Whether you’re going to live in Australia with a Working Holiday Visa or you’re simply about to embark on a tourist trip to Australia with a tourist visa, remember: “don’t be sorry, just declare it “.
Remember, when in doubt, declare it!
This is because your luggage may be inspected randomly. If you declare something that you could have omitted, besides spending a few minutes explaining, you won’t have any problems. However, if an undeclared and prohibited item is found in your baggage, you may face heavy fines. If you have declared a prohibited item, you will not be allowed to bring it with you to Australia, but you will not be subject to penalties!
Here you can find a comprehensive and exhaustive list, not limited to food items: https://www.abf.gov.au/
Things I can bring to Australia with no need to declare:
- Biscuits, bread, packaged cakes (but not cheesecake)
- Coffee up to 10 kg (excluding Kopi Luwak, Civet Coffee, and Green coffee, which require additional requirements to be met)
- Chocolate and packaged confectionery products
- Maple syrup
- Oil
- Fruit juices and soft drinks. They must be commercially prepared.
Things I can bring to Australia but I have to declare:
- Butter, cheeses, and other dairy products Important to check that the country of origin is on the government FDM-Free list
- Dried herbs up to 1 kg, finely ground (spices, leaves)
- Fish up to 10 kg. Attention: it must be commercially treated and packaged, with no signs of the container being opened. Details are available in the relevant product information sheet.
- Honey. It can be transported but will need to be inspected by an officer upon arrival to ensure it is free from contaminants. Additional requirements must be met if attempting to bring honey into Western Australia.
- Human breast milk. Up to 10 kg, if accompanied by the newborn for whom the milk is intended. Otherwise, an import declaration is required.
- Packaged beverages (such as tea, coffee) up to 10 kg if properly packaged, up to 10 kg.
- Powdered infant formula, up to 10 kg. Important to check that the country of origin is on the government FDM-Free list.
- Meat. Meat can enter Australia if declared and meets specific production and processing requirements. For canned meat, it is important to check that the country of origin is on the government FDM-Free list. The department advises that rules for transporting meat are subject to change.
- Pasta
- Nuts, peanuts, and dried fruits. They can be brought if commercially produced and packaged. They must be inspected upon arrival.
- Pepper. As long as it is commercially produced and packaged.
- Pet food. It can be brought if declared but requires an import permit even for small quantities.
- Sauces cooked and commercially produced. Those containing animal-derived ingredients must meet specific requirements.
- Flour, but only if commercially produced. If it does not meet certain requirements, it will be destroyed upon arrival.
- Vitamins for human use, as long as they are commercially produced and packaged, maximum three months’ supply.
Do not bring to Australia:
- Food provided on the airplane
- Raw rice, as it is not allowed and will be destroyed upon arrival. Products containing cooked rice can be brought, but they must be accompanied by an import permit.
- Eggs, unless you have a permit to import them.
- Live plants and soil, unless you have a permit to import them
For any questions don’t esitate to get in touch with our info-point infopoint@atlasmigration.com!