Australia customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

Australia enforces some of the world's strictest biosecurity laws. Undeclared food, plant material, or animal products risk an on-the-spot fine of AUD 2,664 (USD 1,776) or prosecution. All travellers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card, even with nothing to declare. These rules apply to every non-resident adult entering Australia in 2026.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
2.3 L
Duty-free: 2.25 L of alcoholic beverages (e.g., spirits, wine, beer). Must be 18+. Any amount over this is subject to duty at the border.
Tobacco
25 cigarettes
Per adult traveller
Cash to declare
$10,000
AUD 10,000 (USD 6,670) or more in Australian or foreign currency (or equivalent) must be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card. Use the red channel or speak to a customs officer.
Goods duty-free
$800
Duty-free allowance for goods (gifts, souvenirs, personal items) is AUD 900 (USD 600) per adult. For goods valued between AUD 900 and AUD 1,000, duty is calculated at a flat rate of 5% of the value. Goods over AUD 1,000 are subject to full duty and GST.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Illicit drugs and narcotics (including cannabis, even for medicinal use without a permit)
  • Weapons (including flick knives, butterfly knives, knuckle dusters, and pepper spray)
  • Firearms and ammunition (without a permit)
  • Certain food items (e.g., fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs)
  • Soil, sand, or gravel (unless treated and declared)
  • Endangered species products (e.g., ivory, rhino horn, certain reptile skins)

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Medications containing codeine, morphine, or other controlled substances (require a permit)
  • Plants and seeds (require a biosecurity import permit)
  • Drones (must comply with CASA regulations; commercial use requires a licence)
  • Satellite phones (require a permit from the Australian Communications and Media Authority)
  • Firearms and ammunition (require a permit from the Australian Federal Police)

Arriving: red vs green channel

After collecting your luggage, you will pass through customs. If you have nothing to declare, follow the green channel (nothing to declare). If you have goods to declare (including food, plants, animal products, or goods over the duty-free limit), use the red channel. You must complete an Incoming Passenger Card (paper or digital) before arrival.

Bringing medication

Personal medications are allowed for up to 3 months' supply. Prescription medications must be in original packaging with a doctor's prescription or letter. Some common medications (e.g., codeine, certain sleeping pills) are controlled substances in Australia and require a permit. Always declare all medications on your Incoming Passenger Card.

Food, plants & animal products

Australia has strict biosecurity laws. All food, plants, seeds, animal products, and wooden items must be declared. Banned items include fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs, and soil. Failure to declare can result in a fine of AUD 2,664 (USD 1,776) or more. Check the Department of Agriculture website for the full list.

Rules worth knowing

Biosecurity fines are steep

Undeclared biosecurity risk items (food, plants, animal products) can result in an on-the-spot fine of AUD 2,664 (USD 1,776) or prosecution with fines up to AUD 444,000 (USD 296,000). Always declare or dispose of such items in the bins before customs.

Incoming Passenger Card is mandatory

Every traveller must complete an Incoming Passenger Card (paper or digital) before arrival. It asks about food, plant material, animal products, currency, and goods over the duty-free limit. Failing to complete it accurately can lead to fines.

Duty-free tobacco limit is very low

The duty-free tobacco allowance is only 25 cigarettes or 25 grams of tobacco products. Many travellers exceed this and must pay duty. The duty rate is high — around AUD 1.20 (USD 0.80) per cigarette for over-quota amounts.

GST applies to goods over AUD 1,000

Goods valued over AUD 1,000 (USD 667) are subject to full duty and 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST). The duty-free threshold for goods is AUD 900 (USD 600) per adult, with a concessional rate for goods between AUD 900 and AUD 1,000.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. All food items must be declared on your Incoming Passenger Card, even if they are commercially packaged. Chocolate, biscuits, and other processed foods are generally allowed after inspection, but failure to declare can result in a fine of AUD 2,664 (USD 1,776).
Codeine is a controlled substance in Australia. You can bring up to 3 months' supply without a permit if you have a doctor's prescription and the medication is in original packaging. For larger quantities or other controlled substances (e.g., morphine, certain sleeping pills), you must apply for a permit from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) before travel.
Drones are allowed for personal use, but you must comply with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules. Drones over 250 grams must be registered, and you cannot fly within 30 metres of people or near airports. Commercial use requires a licence. No customs permit is needed for import, but you must declare it if it's new and over AUD 900 (USD 600).
Yes, but you must declare it. Wooden items are subject to biosecurity inspection. If the wood is untreated or has bark, it may be treated or confiscated. Always declare wooden items to avoid fines.
If you declare a prohibited item (e.g., an apple or a meat product), customs officers will inspect it. You will not be fined, but the item will be confiscated and destroyed. If you do not declare it and it is found, you face an on-the-spot fine of AUD 2,664 (USD 1,776) or prosecution.
You must declare any amount of AUD 10,000 (USD 6,670) or more (or foreign currency equivalent) on your Incoming Passenger Card. Use the red channel or speak to a customs officer. There is no limit on how much you can bring, but failure to declare can result in seizure and fines.
Yes, but fishing gear (rods, reels, nets, waders) must be declared. It will be inspected for soil, seeds, or plant material. If it is clean, it will be allowed. If not, it may be cleaned or confiscated. Always declare it to avoid fines.

Official source

Australian Border Force

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Australian Border Force before travelling.