Cultural and Seasonal Events
Passengers arriving in Australia, or family and friends sending parcels to Australian residents, often include items for celebrating cultural or seasonal events. Unfortunately, many of these items must be seized because they could introduce exotic pests and diseases to our environment or agriculture industries.
Please think about choosing other gifts for cultural celebrations and seasonal events. Tell friends and family overseas about Australia's strict quarantine laws—and ask them not to carry or send the kinds of food, plant or animal products listed below.
Information regarding import conditions for specific products can be found using AQIS's Import Conditions Database (ICON).
| Event | Quarantine Items |
|---|---|
|
New Year |
ornaments made with straw, seeds and conifer sprigs |
|
Valentine's Day |
fresh and dried flowers |
|
St Patrick's Day |
shamrock plants and seeds |
|
Easter |
hardboiled eggs, painted eggshells, straw or hay |
| Hajj Pilgrims | all wood products such as religious articles and toys, all food items including dates, spices, seeds, nuts, teas, fresh and dried fruit and vegetables, Holy water, all meat and meat products, plants including raw tobacco, live cuttings, roots and bulbs, all poultry items such as eggs or products containing egg, all dairy products |
| Rakhi | Rakhi threads made with seeds or flowers; traditional Indian sweets (mithai) containing milk such as barfi, mysore pak, gulab jamun, rasgulla, pedas or soan-papdi; grains and dried fruits |
|
Chinese moon festival |
mooncakes containing egg yolks or meat |
|
Spring (northern and southern hemisphere) |
seeds and bulbs |
|
|
Indian sweets such as barfi, ras malai, gulab jamun and pedas; products containing dairy; fresh and dried fruit; nuts, seeds, herbs, spices and tea; plants, flowers and plant material |
|
Sukkot |
etrog, branches of palm, myrtle or willow |
|
Halloween |
pumpkins, corn husk dolls |
|
Christmas/festive season |
decorations containing pine cones, vine wreaths, spruce; hampers containing prohibited foods including meat and dairy products |
| Sending 'Khat' to Australia | The importation of khat to Australia is controlled under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations. |