Skip to main content

Australia customs regulations

It is important to know about customs regulations before traveling to Australia to avoid legal issues and potential fines. As you know, customs regulations widely depend on the country. Before traveling to (or from) Australia make sure to check the allowance and limits for the next things:

  • Alcohol and tobacco
  • Currency
  • Medicines (especially those containing drugs)
  • Animals
  • Cultural artifacts
  • Plants, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products

Check the information below to be sure that you are complying with Australia customs regulations.

Import regulations in Australia

Duty-free allowance

Tobacco limit

Restricted to travellers 18 years and over. One of the following:

  • 50 cigarettes;
  • or 50 grams of other tobacco products.

Bringing alcohol

  • 2.25 litres total of alcoholic beverages.

Cash limit

  • There are no restrictions on the importation of funds into Australia.
  • Funds of AUD$10,000 or more must be declared.

Other goods

  • Travellers 18 years or older may bring in AUD$900 of general goods for personal use.
  • Travellers younger than 18 years may bring in AUD$450 of general goods for personal use.
  • Most prescription medications are free to import provided they are accompanied by a prescription written in English, with a supply of 3 months or less.
  • Travellers 18 years of age or older may import up to 5 lighters.
  • The following may be imported into Australia, subject to airline rules: fixed blade knives, swords including katanas and samurai swords, multi-tool knives, and bayonets.

Prohibited items

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

  • All firearms, including imitation firearms, paintball firearms, and soft air firearms.
  • Meat products.
  • Fruit and vegetables.
  • Illicit drugs.
  • Terrorism materials.
  • Steroids.
  • The following weapons are prohibited: automatic knives, blowguns, concealed blades, daggers, electric shock devices, extendable batons, knuckle dusters, nunchakus, pepper spray, throwing blades, slingshots with an arm brace, and laser pointers with a strength greater than 1mW.
  • Pirated and counterfeited goods, such as counterfeit cosmetics or shoes, and pirated DVDs.
  • Fireworks.
  • Obscene materials, such as child pornography.
  • Raw hide drums.
  • Insect zappers without a protective grid and a higher battery capacity than 6 volts.

Restricted items

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

  • Hormones must be accompanied by a prescription written in English, with a supply of 3 months or less.
  • Some medications require a permit for import. For further information, please visit the DIBP Bringing medicine into Australia.
  • Animal items such as leather, fur, horns, teeth and bones must be clean and in new packaging. These items must be declared and will be inspected.
  • Wooden items must be free from bark, signs of insect damage, and contamination. These items must be declared and will be inspected.
  • All pets are subject to importation requirements, and some are prohibited. For further information, please visit Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Bringing cats and dogs (and other pets) to Australia.
  • Assistance dogs must meet different requirements from pets. For further information, please visit Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Assistance dogs.
  • Heritage-listed goods such as works of art, minerals and archaeological objects require a permit.
  • All veterinary drugs and medicines must be declared and may be prohibited.
  • Food, plants, animals and biological goods. For further information, please visit Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
  • Defence and Strategic goods. For further information, please contact the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Information has been updated: .