Australia customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Australia enforces some of the world's toughest biosecurity and customs rules, and the Incoming Passenger Card is a legal document — a single wrong tick can trigger an on-the-spot fine. Detector dogs and bag searches are routine at every international airport, so declare everything, even that forgotten apple or packet of biscuits.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
2.3 L
AUD 2.25L of any alcoholic beverage (spirits, wine, beer combined) per adult 18+. Anything above that is subject to duty and GST. The 2.25L is a single combined limit, not per category.
Tobacco
25 cigarettes
or 25 cigars / 25 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
AUD 10,000 (approx. USD 6,700) or equivalent in foreign currency. Declare on the Incoming Passenger Card and complete a Cross-Border Movement of Physical Currency form. Failure to declare can lead to fines or seizure.
Goods duty-free
$800
AUD 900 (approx. USD 600) for general goods (gifts, souvenirs, electronics, clothes) per adult. For travellers under 18, the limit is AUD 450. Above that, duty and GST apply — often 5% duty plus 10% GST on the excess. Alcohol and tobacco are separate.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and illegal drugs (including cannabis, even if legal in your home country)
  • Fresh fruit and vegetables (biosecurity risk)
  • Meat and meat products (including jerky, salami, ham)
  • Live plants, seeds, and soil
  • Firearms and ammunition without a permit
  • Pornography depicting minors or extreme violence

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Prescription medications (up to 3 months' supply with documentation; controlled drugs need a permit)
  • Drones (must be declared; may require CASA registration if used in Australia)
  • Satellite phones (may require a licence from ACMA)
  • Wooden items, handicrafts, and artefacts (must be declared for biosecurity inspection)
  • Currency over AUD 10,000 (must be declared)

Arriving: red vs green channel

All arriving international passengers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) before landing. At the airport, you choose between the Green Channel (nothing to declare) and the Red Channel (goods to declare, including food, plants, animal products, or over-limit items). If you have nothing to declare, you can use the Green Channel, but biosecurity officers and detector dogs actively screen all passengers — if you're caught with undeclared items, you face fines starting at AUD 626 (USD 420).

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Australia's Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) lets you claim a refund of GST (10%) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) on goods you buy in Australia and take out within 60 days. Minimum spend is AUD 300 (approx. USD 200) per retailer, and you must have a single tax invoice. Claim at the TRS desk at the airport after check-in but before security — you need your passport, boarding pass, tax invoice, and the goods (or at least the packaging if you've checked them in). Refunds are paid to a credit card or Australian bank account.

Bringing medication

You can bring personal prescription medication for up to 3 months' supply if you have a doctor's letter or prescription. Some common medications in other countries are controlled or illegal in Australia — including certain painkillers containing codeine (now prescription-only in Australia), ADHD stimulants, and some sleeping pills. Always declare any medication on your IPC. If you're carrying more than 3 months' supply or controlled drugs, you need a permit from the Office of Drug Control. Do not bring in any medication containing pseudoephedrine without checking — it's restricted.

Food, plants & animal products

Australia's biosecurity laws are extremely strict. You must declare ALL food, plant material, seeds, nuts, animal products, wooden items, and soil. This includes packaged snacks, dried fruit, honey, meat, cheese, eggs, and even items like tea leaves and herbal medicines. Many items are prohibited entirely (e.g., fresh fruit, meat, live plants), while others may be allowed if declared and inspected. If you fail to declare, you can be fined AUD 626 (USD 420) on the spot, and if you're a repeat offender or the items are high-risk, you could face prosecution and up to 10 years in prison.

Rules worth knowing

Incoming Passenger Card is a legal document

You must answer every question truthfully. If you tick 'no' to carrying food or plant material but you have a packet of biscuits in your bag, you can be fined AUD 626 (USD 420) on the spot. Biosecurity officers can search your bags without a warrant.

Duty-free limits are per adult, not per family

The alcohol and tobacco allowances apply to each adult aged 18 or over. Children cannot pool their allowance with parents. If you're travelling with a family, each adult gets their own 2.25L alcohol and 25 cigarettes.

GST refund scheme has strict timing

You must claim your TRS refund at the airport on the day of departure, after check-in but before security. If you check in your goods, you must show the packaging to the TRS officer before checking in. Claims cannot be made after you leave Australia.

Biosecurity fines are on-the-spot and non-negotiable

If you fail to declare a biosecurity risk item, you will be issued an infringement notice for AUD 626 (USD 420). You cannot talk your way out of it. Repeat offenders can face court and fines up to AUD 420,000 (USD 280,000) and 10 years in prison.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, for personal use up to 3 months' supply, with a doctor's letter or prescription. You must declare it on your Incoming Passenger Card. For controlled drugs (e.g., morphine, ADHD stimulants), you need a permit from the Office of Drug Control before you travel. Some common medications like codeine are prescription-only in Australia — do not bring them without a prescription.
If you're caught with undeclared food, plant material, or animal products, you'll receive an on-the-spot fine of AUD 626 (USD 420). If the items are high-risk or you're a repeat offender, you can be prosecuted, fined up to AUD 420,000 (USD 280,000), and face up to 10 years in prison. Always declare — even if you think it's allowed.
Each adult aged 18 or over can bring 2.25 litres of alcohol (any type — spirits, wine, beer combined) duty-free. Anything above that is subject to customs duty and GST. There is no separate wine or beer allowance; it's one combined limit.
You can bring 25 cigarettes (or 25g of cigars or loose tobacco) duty-free per adult. This is one of the lowest tobacco allowances in the world. If you exceed it, you'll pay a hefty duty — often more than the cost of the cigarettes themselves. You must be 18 or over.
Yes. If you're carrying AUD 10,000 (approx. USD 6,700) or more in cash (or foreign currency equivalent), you must declare it on your Incoming Passenger Card and complete a Cross-Border Movement of Physical Currency form. Undeclared cash can be seized and you may face fines.
Yes, but you must declare it on your Incoming Passenger Card. Drones are allowed for personal use, but if you plan to fly it in Australia, you may need to register with CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) and follow local drone rules. Commercial use requires additional permits.
The TRS refunds the 10% GST and Wine Equalisation Tax on goods you buy in Australia and take out within 60 days. You need a minimum spend of AUD 300 (approx. USD 200) per retailer, with a single tax invoice. Claim at the TRS desk at the airport after check-in but before security — bring your passport, boarding pass, invoice, and the goods (or packaging if checked in). Refunds go to a credit card or Australian bank account.

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.