Prohibited and Restricted Items when Sending to Australia

As Australia is an island, they make a massive effort to protect their natural environment from diseases and pests that might come from other places around the world. For this reason, Australia restricts the import of certain goods and packaging materials that would not be problematic for other destinations.

The following products are prohibited by Australian customs (in addition to ’s prohibited items and items forbidden by the IATA):

• Any shipment that is from, or travelled through, Somalia, Egypt or Bangladesh
• Meat products of any description
• Paintball guns and paintballs
• Shipments that are multiple packages from multiple suppliers amalgamated into a single shipment
• Milk – unless it is from New Zealand
• Any and all wood products – unless you have the correct documentation
• Counterfeit goods of any types
• Any pornographic materials

Please bear in mind that this is not a comprehensive list of everything that is prohibited or restricted for import to Australia. To see the entire list, see Australia’s Border Agency Restricted Items.

There are also some common gift items that are often sent to Australia in the holiday periods – such as Christmas – which you should know are banned. If you plan to send a gift like a hamper, they may not contain:

• Fresh Fruit
• Popcorn Kernels
• Plant-based decorations, like a wreath
• Pine cones
• Nuts
• Foods with egg or dairy
• Wooden ornaments – or any other wood goods

There are a couple of packaging options to avoid when sending to Australia to make sure there aren’t any problems clearing customs:

• Egg cartons
• Wooden boxes (all wood boxes, crates or pallets must be fumigated, and be accompanied by a fumigation certificate for entry into Australia)
• Cardboard boxes that have been used to hold fruit, vegetables or meat (this packaging is prohibited, and at risk of quarantine)
• Straw material
• Dried plant material