In Australia we have very strict customs rules that need to be adhered to – so if you are arriving in Australia, the best move forward is to declare it at customs. Check online what our Customs Clearance will allow and what Customs Clearance will disallow.
Australia is huge on Biosecurity – what does this mean and how can you respect these rules and regulations:
Simply explained – Biosecurity refers to fauna and flora as well as all plant material, animal products and certain foodstuffs that are brought in from other countries that can introduce many of the very serious pests as well as diseases into Australia.
These diseases and vermin are responsible for devastating our valuable tourism industries, cherished agriculture and our unique environment that we, as Australians are so proud to protect.
It is no secret that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, together with other bodies in our country play a very important part in ensuring that we maintain a healthy, uncontaminated food supply.
The Biosecurity system in Australia protects humans, animals as well as all plant health – these are all achieved by minimising the risk of introducing unwanted diseases and vermin into our country across our borders.
Simply put – if everyone respects these rules then everyone will have much to gain.
You need to declare everything when you arrive in Australia – this is how it’s done:
- All individuals arriving in Australia will be handed an Incoming Passenger Card, which is a legal document.
- If you are in possession of any plant material or animal products as well as certain foodstuffs you need to have these items evaluated by officers that take care of border clearance.
- Your luggage, both hand and other, can be assessed by detector dogs, inspected by officers or might also be x-rayed.
- If Biosecurity items are not declared or destroyed prior to customs clearance, you could find yourself in deep water.
- You will either be given a spot fine, be prosecuted, and even risk being jailed – this is hardly worth the risk!
- If all your items are declared you will not be penalised – this also refers to items that are not permitted into Australia – that is why it is so important to declare everything and especially those items you are unsure of.
Carrying food even if it is from one state to the next:
Should you be in possession of items that carry Biosecurity risks or food when travelling, whether these are fresh fruit or similar, you will have to show a receipt to prove that those items were bought in Australia.
Items that don’t have proof of purchase will be confiscated.
If your goods are not Biosecurity friendly, a Biosecurity Officer will offer you a couple of choices; these could include sorting out your issues at your own expense which will, after being treated, returned to you.
Certain goods will be permitted if they have an Import Permit which has been applied for and issued before your arrival – the other alternative is to drop your goods into the quarantine bins that are supplied for this purpose at airports throughout Australia.
Before you board that plane ensure that all nuts and seeds, meat products, plant material, as well as a host of other items are disposed of prior to arriving at customs clearance – but whatever you decide to do, remember to declare everything you think might not pass the Biosecurity test!
