Rakhi - Important Biosecurity Information

Food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world’s most serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating our valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment. Biosecurity protects our human, animal and plant health by reducing the risk of unwanted pests and diseases arriving in the country. Everyone benefits from a strong biosecurity system so everyone has a role to play.

If you are expecting Rakhi gifts through the mail it is important to ensure that your family overseas are aware of Australia’s strict biosecurity laws.

How do we stop biosecurity risk items from entering Australia?

Mail articles containing biosecurity risk items are assessed by DAFF Biosecurity officers using x-rays, detector dogs and manual inspection.

What are some Rakhi gifts that can present a biosecurity risk?

Rakhi gifts (containing animal or plant material) that may pose a biosecurity risk include:

• Rakhi threads made with seeds or flowers
• traditional Indian sweets (mithai) which contain milk, such as barfi, mysore pak, gulab jamun, rasgulla, pedas or soan-papdi
• grains and dried fruits.

What can I do to ensure my Rakhi gift arrives on time?

Make sure your family correctly lists the contents of all mail articles and fill out any postal declaration labels or forms. Declaring items does not automatically mean they will be confiscated – most are returned or sent on after inspection.

If your item requires treatment it may take several weeks for the item to be sent to you. Where treatment is not an option, the item will not be permitted into Australia and you will be notified.

What Rakhi gifts can I send?

Help us protect Australia from pests and diseases by sending alternate gifts that do not pose a biosecurity risk:

• cotton Rakhi threads with plastic, fabric, gold or silver beads
• gold or silver coins
• personalised photo items
• artificial flowers.

For more information on DAFF Biosecurity

Call DAFF Biosecurity on 1800 020 504 (free call in Australia and is in English)

• What can’t be mailed to Australia? (English)
• What can’t I take into Australia? (English)
• What can’t be mailed to Australia? (Hindi) PDF [3.2 MB]