Traveling to Australia and want to know more about the items forbidden by Australian customs? Read our informative and factual guide…
You will need to declare all items that are made from plants, animal products and food items when entering the country. While some of these items are banned and cannot be brought into the country, others will be inspected for pests and diseases. If they are found to be free of any problems, you will be allowed to take them into the country or you will have other choices such as to have the item treated to eliminate pests or diseases, ship it back to your country, store it at the airport so that it can be taken along when leaving Australia or have it destroyed. You will have to incur the charges for treatment of such items. The AQIS tries to minimize wastage and hence you will be returned most items that are declared by you on entry into the country.
Some of the Australian customs forbidden items include:
• Dairy products from countries that had an epidemic of foot and mouth disease; products include items that are dry and whole and contain 10% dairy; however, you can take infant formula along even if it contains dairy products
• Products whole or dried that contain egg ( more than 10%), powdered, whole or dried eggs
• Grains and nuts including cereals, raw nuts, birdseed, seed ornaments, popping corn, chestnuts, unidentified seeds and pine cones etc.
• Live plants including potted varieties, rooted plants, corns, stems, bulbs, stem and other viable plant products
• Live animals and products such as birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, bird eggs, fish etc
• Meat products not in cans; this includes items that are fried, cooked, salted, smoked, preserved etc.
• Fruits and vegetables including fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.
The items that will have to be declared upon entry include:
Food products: Cooked and raw fruits and vegetables and products such as preserves, fish and sea food products, dried fruit and products; herbs and spices, grains and products manufactured from them including noodles and pasta, packaged meals, traditional medications, tonics, remedies and herbal teas, confectionary items including biscuits and cakes, snacks and beverages such as tea coffee or milk based items.
Animal Products such as bones, feathers, horns and tusks ( all should be free from tissue); products made from animal hide, skin or fur including products such as dog chews, drums etc, animals hair items such as wool and yarn, stuffed birds and animals, animal products based jewelry including corals and shells, bee products such as beeswax, pet food.
