List of Items You Must Declare Upon Entry to Australia

All passengers arriving in Australia—by air or sea—must declare certain items to border security and quarantine officers.

Australia enforces strict biosecurity laws to protect its environment, agriculture, and public health. Failure to declare risk items can result in significant fines (up to $6,260) or prosecution.

Below is an updated and more detailed guide to help you comply with current regulations and ensure a smooth arrival.

Key Updates for 2025

• Australia is piloting a digital Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) system, the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD), on selected Qantas flights into Brisbane. Most passengers still use the paper IPC, but digital options are expanding.
• Some food, plant, and animal products now have stricter entry conditions or are prohibited due to recent pest and disease threats (e.g., khapra beetle, bee diseases).
• Always check the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system before travel for the latest rules.

What Must Be Declared

Food

You must declare all food items, including:

• Cooked and raw food and ingredients
• Dried fruit, vegetables, and herbs
• Noodles, rice, grains, beans, and lentils
• Packaged meals (including airline food)
• Snack foods, biscuits, cakes, and confectionery
• Tea, coffee, herbal teas, and other milk-based beverages
• Dairy products (cheese, butter, infant formula) must be commercially prepared, packaged, and from approved countries
• Honey and bee products (especially strict for Western Australia)
• Meat and seafood products must be commercially manufactured, shelf-stable, and unopened; home-cooked or unpackaged items are generally prohibited
• Nuts are permitted if blanched, roasted, boiled, or vacuum-sealed

Note: Cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds, as well as dried chillies/capsicum, are not permitted unless they meet specific import conditions due to pest risks.

Animal Products

Declare all items including:

• Feathers, bones, horns, tusks (must be clean and tissue-free)
• Skins, hides, furs (rawhide products like drums, shields, and dog chews are prohibited)
• Wool, animal hair, fleece, yarn, and craft items
• Stuffed animals and birds (require taxidermy certificate; some may be prohibited under endangered species laws)
• Shells, coral, and marine curios (must be clean; some species restricted)
• Bee products (pollen, beeswax, honeycomb)
• Used animal equipment (veterinary tools, saddlery, cages, etc.)
• Pet food and treats are prohibited
• Eggs, nests, and live animal products

Plant Material

Declare all items including:

• Wooden articles and carvings (bark is prohibited and will be removed or treated)
• Artefacts, handicrafts, and curios made from plant material
• Mats, bags, and items made from plant material, palm fronds, or leaves (banana plant goods are prohibited)
• Straw products and packaging
• Bamboo, cane, rattan basketware, and furnishings
• Potpourri and coconut shells
• Goods containing cereal grain, corn husks, or filled with seeds
• Christmas decorations, wreaths, and ornaments (pine cones are prohibited)
• Dried flowers and arrangements
• Fresh flowers and leis (flowers that can be grown from stems, like roses and carnations, are prohibited)
• Seeds, nuts, beans, and grains

Note: Some plant products may require a phytosanitary certificate or may be completely prohibited due to pest risks.

Other Goods

Declare:

• Craft and hobby items made from animal or plant material
• Sporting and camping equipment (tents, boots, golf clubs, fishing gear, bicycles, etc.)
• Outdoor gear, footwear, and clothing used in rural areas or contaminated with soil, faeces, or plant matter
• Any item that could carry contamination from soil, water, or organic matter

What happens at the border

1. Complete your Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) or digital ATD, declaring all risk items.
2. Proceed to biosecurity inspection and present declared goods for assessment.
3. Luggage may be screened by detector dogs, x-ray, and manual inspection—even if you have nothing to declare.
4. Declared goods may be returned, treated, seized, or destroyed depending on risk assessment and compliance with import conditions.
5. If unsure, do not pack the item or dispose of it in airport bins before inspection points.

Tips for a smooth arrival

• Clean all outdoor, sporting, and camping equipment thoroughly to remove soil, plant, or animal matter.
• Check the BICON website for up-to-date import conditions, especially for food, seeds, and animal products.
• Do not bring food off the plane or ship unless you intend to declare it.
• When in doubt, declare the item—failure to declare can result in severe penalties.

Not a Biosecurity Risk

You do not need to declare:

• Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes (within duty-free allowances)
• Electronic equipment (laptops, phones, cameras)
• Valuable items (jewellery, watches, currency)

For the latest information, always consult the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry or the Australian Border Force before you travel.