AustraliaAustralia

Travellers arriving in Australia may bring 2.25 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Duty-free: 2.25L of alcohol (18+), 25 cigarettes or 25g tobacco (18+), and AUD $900 worth of general goods per adult (AUD $450 for those under 18). Children under 18 cannot claim alcohol or tobacco allowances. USD equivalent is approximate.

25 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 7600 (AUD) must be declared on arrival.

AUD $1,000 (~USD 680). Goods valued at AUD $1,000 or less are generally duty-free (customs duty relief). However, GST (10%) now applies to all low-value imported goods as of 1 July 2018 — overseas sellers/platforms must register to collect GST if their Australian revenue exceeds AUD $75,000.

Yes — the standard rate is 10%. It generally applies to commercial imports and to e-commerce parcels above the de minimis threshold.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Australian Border Force (ABF) for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Australia's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Australian Border Force (ABF), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Illicit drugs and psychotropic substances; Weapons (automatic/semi-automatic firearms, prohibited weapons); Pornographic material involving minors. See the full prohibited list on this page.

Food (all food items must be declared; many require biosecurity permits); Plants and plant materials (must be declared; import conditions apply); Animals and animal products (biosecurity conditions apply). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Australia accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Australian Border Force (ABF)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Australia may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Australian Border Force (ABF) guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Australia's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Australia.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Australian Border Force (ABF) via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.