Autumn Moon festival - important biosecurity information

Mooncakes and other gifts sent from overseas to celebrate Autumn Moon Festival could introduce unwanted pests and diseases into Australia devastating our important agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), along with industry and the community, plays a vital role in keeping unwanted pests and diseases out of Australia. You can help reduce the risk.

How do we stop biosecurity risk items from entering Australia?

Biosecurity risk items, such as mooncakes containing egg or meat, are assessed by DAFF’s biosecurity officers using x-rays, detector dogs and manual inspection. Any packages containing biosecurity risk items will be opened and inspected by DAFF’s biosecurity officers.

Can I bring or mail mooncakes to Australia?

Mooncakes containing egg and meat will not be allowed into Australia.

These items will be seized and destroyed.

Commercially produced mooncakes not containing egg and meat are allowed into Australia but need to be declared to DAFF for inspection either on your Incoming Passenger Card or using the postal declaration.

To help maintain Australian biosecurity, please make family and friends overseas aware of Australia’s biosecurity requirements and remind them not to send mooncakes containing egg or meat.

There is a large range of mooncakes available in Australia, so it isn’t necessary to bring them with you from overseas.

What are some Autumn Moon gifts that pose a biosecurity risk?

• mooncakes containing egg
• mooncakes containing meat
• mooncakes containing egg and meat
• fresh pomelo, star fruit, taro (or any other fresh fruit or vegetables)

What Autumn Moon gifts don’t pose a biosecurity risk?

• commercially prepared and packaged mooncakes not containing egg or meat

For more information

Download the brochures

• What Can’t Be Mailed To Australia?
• What Can’t I Take into Australia?

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