Australian Customs and Border Protection Services are responsible for controlling what people bring to Australia while traveling. Animal products, living animal, plant material, and certain edible items from overseas can carry harmful diseases which can cause serious threats to the environment. The immigration consultant in Melbourne has compiled a list of items which are illegal to carry into Australia.
Incoming Passenger Card is necessary to be filled before you land Australia. The card represents a legally binding document. If you are bringing any banned animals, plants, or foods, you must mark the ‘YES’ on the Incoming Passenger card to declare them. A customer officer will assess all the items at the customs clearance point.
Always remember to declare everything you are bringing, this way you won’t be penalized if you declare all your goods beforehand, doesn’t matter if some or all of the items are prohibited.
All the passengers passing through customs at an Australian port are required to assess their baggage by x-ray, biosecurity officer or a detector dog, even if they have declared nothing. If you are caught for having prohibited items that you have not declared you face a penalty for:
Putting wrong information on your Incoming Passenger Card
Unable to declare prohibited items
Unable to dispose of prohibited items
The penalties are heavy,
Fines of approx. $340 (AUD)
Criminal prosecution with fines of approx. $66,000 (AUD)
Up to 10 years of jail
The following items you must declare on arrival at the airport in Australia:
Food
There are various food items which you must declare including airline food and snacks, commercially prepared cooked and raw food and ingredients, instant noodles and rice, dried fruit and vegetables, packaged meals, herbs and spices, herbal and traditional medicines, remedies, tonics and herbal teas, and snack foods.
Diary and egg products
It includes infant formula (must be accompanying a child), dairy products (fresh and powdered) including milk, cheese, and ‘non-dairy’ creamers. All whole, dried and powdered eggs. Egg products such as mayonnaise, noodles, and pasta that are not commercially manufactured.
Animal Products
All types of meat including fresh, dried, frozen, cooked, smoked, salted or preserved from all animal species. Sausages, sliced meats, salami, fish, seafood products and also including pet food.
Seeds
Cereal grains, pinecones, popping corn, birdseed, raw nuts, unidentified seeds, some commercially packaged seeds, and ornaments including seeds.
Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
All fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables and must be accompanied by a valid import permit.
Plant Material
Tea containing seeds, fruit skin and pieces, remedies and medicines containing herbs, bark, seeds, fungi and dried plant material. Fresh or dried flower, potpourri, dried herbs, or leaves. Handicrafts including wreaths and Christmas decorations containing any plant material. Wooden items such as souvenirs or carvings, or other things made using timber.
Live Animals and Animal Products
The following are the items which you should declare including eggs, nests, feathers, bones, horns, skins, animal fur and hair, stuffed animals and birds, shells and coral, beeswax, and other bee products.
Almost all the items will be declared to you after inspection, however, in case they are found to be risky, they will be taken into custody and disposed of. You may avoid destruction in some cases like treating the item to remove the risk, or storing the item at the airport for collection on your departure from Australia, or exporting the item.
All the above options are done at your expense and Australian Customs do not take any responsibility for any damage that may occur to the item.
If you bring any prohibited items, make sure you declare them. You can also dispose of the prohibited items like food, plant or animal material in the quarantine bins at every airport terminal in Australia.
If you require more information about the immigration process or visa related services, get in touch with Christie Migration Agents at 1300-268-123 or send us an email at [email protected]