Your complete guide to clearing customs in Australia without worries

Australia, due to its isolated geographical location, has been naturally protected against pests and diseases that affect crops, the environment, and wildlife, and that are present in other countries

For this reason, a comprehensive customs system called biosecurity has been developed to prevent people travelling from overseas from bringing new pests and diseases into the country in their luggage, shoes and belongings.

In this article we will show you the importance of biosecurity for the country, which items are allowed in your luggage, which ones pose a risk and why it is so important to declare what you bring with you. Additionally we will tell you what the process is when you land in Australia and what are the implications of not declaring what you bring with you.

Why is biosecurity so important?

The presence of new pests and diseases can disrupt the ecosystem and cause innumerable losses to the economy of the industry that is potentially affected.

Australia bases much of its income on agriculture and livestock, so any external agent affecting either of these industries would have a major impact.

For example, the wood boring beetle is believed to have entered Australia as a stowaway in a piece of untreated timber and remained undiscovered for some time. The first reports have been in Western Australia, but it is possible that it is in other areas. The insect affects more than 400 species of trees, which it bores into, leaving them looking like Swiss cheese on the inside. Industries fear a large economic impact if it is not controlled in time.

So with that said…

What can’t be brought into Australia?

Fresh produce such as meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruit and eggs are not allowed into Australia. Soil, plants, parts of plants, seeds of any plant can also not be brought into the country. Remember that fresh food or aeroplane food falls into this category and you should refrain from bringing it in.

One aspect to keep in mind is not to bring in muddy boots because this would count as bringing in soil (there are millions of micro-organisms that you could be carrying in your boots). Another aspect is wooden objects, as we saw in the previous example pests or pest eggs can travel on these types of items.

There are other types of items that you cannot bring into Australia (that are not food related), which need not be mentioned in this post: weapons, pornography and drugs are absolutely restricted.

In terms of legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, you can bring certain quantities. For example Alcohol 2.25L, Tobacco 25 cigarettes or 25 grams of tobacco.

What happens before landing in Australia?

On the plane you will receive an incoming passenger card.

What does an incoming passenger card mean? It is a document that serves as a record of people entering Australia. All passengers entering Australia (citizens and non-citizens) must complete this card.

You must complete the front and back of the card by carefully reading each of the statements. This card also asks for your address in Australia, so it is best to have it handy.

Declaring what is in your luggage

Declaring means marking an X on the incoming passenger card for the items you are taking with you in your cabin and hand luggage.

Which items should you declare?

Products such as vegetables, cheese, honey, dried fruit, nuts or tea bags need to be declared to be allowed. Once the biosecurity officers check that the items meet the requirements then they will allow them in or they will detain them. You will have no problem if you declared that you had them before the check.

Even if you don’t have fresh produce with you, declare any kind of package you bring in (I’m guessing you might bring in chocoramos, choclitos, ganzitos and more... Its fine, but just declare them!)

• There is a phrase in Australia that says “It is better to be safe than sorry”, which means that you should choose to make the safer decision than taking the risk and then regret the choice.

• Sweets, biscuits and chocolates do not need to be declared. However, I wouldn’t risk it and declare everything I have in my suitcase. It is better for them to decide which items are ok.

Restricted products

Medicines

• Common medicines for headaches or flu do not have many problems and can pass the control without any problem.

• For specialised medicines you should bring a translated formula in Spanish (just in case!) and declare.

Money

If you are bringing more than $10,000AUD in cash, you need to declare it.

It’s best not to do this anyway - it’s not safe to carry that kind of money in your pocket.

Check the official government page for the full list of restricted items.

Penalty for not declaring an item

If you are found carrying an item that you did not declare, you will be fined up to $5,500 AUD.

You may have your visa cancelled or be refused entry to Australia and be held at immigration pending your departure from Australia.

If you are unsure of any item just declare it or do not bring it.

Once you land

You will go through the first customs check. Here you will be asked where you are coming from, your visa, CoE, passport and incoming passenger card. You may be asked if you have been in a certain country in the last 15 days and you must answer with the true.

In general the people at customs in Australia are very relaxed and smile too! They usually put a written mark on the incoming passenger card and let you continue to the next checkpoint (which is after you collect your large suitcase from the conveyor belt).

Collect your bag and go to the customs area and present your incoming passenger card. The officer may ask you what you have brought that made you tick the box on the card. As you may have noticed the categories on this card are very general so it is possible that the item you are bringing is not exactly written on the card. That is why you should explain this more clearly.

The officer will then decide if you can continue and leave the airport or if you must go to an area where your luggage can be inspected by the security officers. They open your luggage and check that what you declared matches what you have in your luggage.

The suitcase may also be checked by trained dogs or X-ray. If everything is OK, you can leave without any problems. If they find something in your luggage and you did not declare it, then you must face the consequences.

To conclude

Customs officials in Australia are very strict. They check what you have declared and there are dogs everywhere that sniff your bags. If you want your entry to Australia to be smooth it is best not to bring anything difficult. Packets of processed food are generally OK, but leave anything fresh at home.

As long as you declare, you won’t have any problems, except that you will lose the item that is not allowed.