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Cultural and Seasonal Events

EasterPassengers 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).

Cultural and seasonal events, showing corresponding quarantine items of concern
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
(Autumn Moon)

mooncakes containing egg yolks or meat

Spring (northern and southern hemisphere)

seeds and bulbs

Diwali

 

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.


Last reviewed: 05 Jan 2010
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