Animal Skins, Non-Domesticated
If the animal skins are covered by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), they will be seized by Customs unless a valid export permit and import permits are in place at the time of importation and are presented to Customs at such time.

Clothing
All clothing must contain labels. The labels must state the material composition and country or territory of origin. This label must be sewn into the garment, where the customer can see the markings if the garments are packaged. If the packaging is not transparent, the markings must also be on the packaging.

Coffee
Green coffee beans require an import permit from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

 

Compact Discs
These items are subject to censorship for objectionable content.

Cosmetics
Shipments of cosmetic products more than 250mg/kg of lead, require approval from the Ministry for Justice and Customs. This does not apply to those designed for use in hair treatments.

Dairy
Requires an import permit from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Films
These items are subject to censorship for objectionable content.

Food

• Restrictions depend on the type of food product. All goods containing meat, dairy, fish, and bee products require permits to import. Quarantine charges apply for food importation.

• Restrictions in relation to commerce marking also apply; packaging must identify the manufacturer, distributor, importer, quantity, ingredients, and country or territory of manufacture.

• Any shipments that arrive in old fruit boxes will be repacked. The boxes are then destroyed. Clearance delays will occur.

• Charges for the quarantine inspection of food are billed to the consignee. Suspicious foods are fumigated by Australian Quarantine Authorities. The minimum quarantine fee is $36.00 Australian dollar (AUD).

 

Goods of Taiwan Origin

• Increased quarantine measures are being applied for products produced in Taiwan as a result of the confirmed outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.

• Import Permits and applications for products with more than 10% of dairy content; semen, embryos and other biological products of susceptible species are to be assessed and appropriate measures or suspension in line with new requirements as a result of the outbreak will be imposed. All affected business will be informed of changes affecting their Import Permits.

• Further, import for the following products will be assessed on a case by case basis depending on manufacturing processing and other treatment being sufficient to manage the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease:

 

• Used farming equipment

• Saddlery, harnesses & tacks

• Scoured wool, animal hair and leather products

• Processed canned and dried pet food

• Biological Products from non-susceptible species

• Processed meat of dairy products (for example, chocolate and confectionary, highly processed cheese; shelf stable hermetically sealed/retorted meat and dairy products)

 

For further information, please click here.

 

Goods of U.S. Origin
Australian Customs may require a Certificate of Origin for goods claiming preferential terms under the U.S. - Australia Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). The goods must be wholly obtained or produced in the U.S. If U.S. origin is not stated on the commercial invoice at time of importation, preference will not be claimed and the standard schedule duty rate will apply. For more information, please click here.

Note: A scanned copy of the Certificate of Origin must be uploaded to UPS Document Imaging System (DIS).

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Jewelry
Jewelry Shipments with a value less than $1000.00 AUD require Evidence of Price Paid or Sale. This can be in the form of Bank Statements showing proof of payment for the goods, or Credit Card statements or other Receipts showing the actual monetary transaction for the goods.

Medicine

• The importation of medicines into Australia is regulated under the "Therapeutic Goods Act". If the medicines are not registered with the "Therapeutic Administration" then they are not permitted entry into Australia. Permits to import are required for certain goods such as steroids.

• Personal imports of prescription medicines can be imported if the importer is a person, the supply is for less than 3 months and they have a prescription from an Australian doctor.

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Nutritional Supplements
A full listing of ingredients is required on the invoice. Customs and Quarantine will hold all shipments until ingredients can be verified. Shipments containing ingredients that cannot be verified or are prohibited will be seized by Customs. Quarantine inspection charges will apply. The list of prohibited ingredients can be found in the Australian Government - Department of Health website

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Personal Effects

Personal Effects are classified as used items (owned for a minimum of 6 months) intended for the consignee's personal use. Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis. "Personal Effects" must be clearly stated on the invoice and goods description. A confirmation that the goods are older than 6 months and that they are intended for personal use only A photocopy of passport or ID card Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis. Personal effects shipments are not allowed in combination with Return Services.

 

Excisable Goods

• For example - perfume, alcoholic drinks, tobacco), medicine, and perishable food can not be cleared as personal effects

 

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals require an import permit from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Shoes
According to the Trade Marking requirements, shoes must be individually marked in a permanent manner stating the country or territory of origin and material(s) content.

Software
All software shipments must invoice the value of the compact disc (CD) or diskette and the value of the intellectual property or programming. If the CDs or diskettes are blank, the description on the invoice must mention the fact. If the invoice does not indicate the intellectual property or programming value, then the shipment may be subject to further Customs checks and subsequent delays.

Straw
Straw is strictly prohibited; non-compliance results in longer delays. All packages containing straw will be held and the straw removed. The importer bears the expense. Delays ranging from 48 hours to 2 weeks will occur. The cost of removing the straw and the subsequent delays are based on the size of the package.

Tableware
Ceramic tableware may be delayed for lead cadmium testing.

Telephone Equipment
Portable telephones require an import permit.

Textiles
Textiles must be labeled with the composition of fabric and country or territory of origin.

 

Tires
The manufacturer must issue a certificate certifying that the tire is free from mosquitoes and/or their larvae.

 

Tobacco Products
Tobacco products now require written permission to be shipped must have a valid import permit before goods arrive in AU. Certain types of tobacco products are exempt from this regulation (smokeless tobacco, cigars and unmanufactured tobacco).