International students warned about quarantine risks

AQIS20502NESB
2 February 2005

Each year, AQIS – the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service seizes more than 60,000 items of quarantine risk from international mail parcels. Many of these high-risk items are removed from packages addressed to international students studying in Australia.

AQIS encourages all international students to be alert to quarantine and to tell their relatives and friends back home what can and can’t be mailed to Australia because risky items will not reach their final destination.

Quarantine helps protect Australia from the introduction of exotic pests and diseases that can hide in food, plant material and animal products from overseas. Once established in Australia, these pests and diseases could destroy our unique environment and important agriculture industries.

Some of the most commonly seized items from international packages include eggs, egg products, beef, pork and other meats, plant products and used boxes or cartons which may have carried fruits or meats.

AQIS's National Mail Program Manager, Bob Stirling, warns that all international mail is screened.

"Every piece of international mail coming into Australia is x-rayed, sniffed by detector dogs or inspected by Quarantine officers," says Mr Stirling. "Items of quarantine concern are removed and either treated, at the recipient’s expense, or destroyed.

Mr Stirling strongly recommends that friends and relatives of international students follow the rules to avoid disappointment and fines.

"Ask your friends and relatives to check what items are allowed into Australia before sending the package. And remind them to correctly fill in the postal declaration label," he says.

Breaches of quarantine can result in disappointment and serious fines of more than $60,000.

To find out what can and can’t be mailed to Australia:

More information

DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232

Yatu Widders Cultural Perspectives - DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232