Personal Imports
All food imported into Australia must comply with Australia's quarantine laws in the Quarantine Act 1908 and the requirements of the Imported Food Control Act 1992.
ICON is AQIS's quarantine import conditions database. ICON can be used to determine if a commodity intended for import to Australia requires a quarantine permit and/or treatment, or if there are any other quarantine conditions.
For further enquiries on Australian quarantine or import permit requirements, or if you cannot locate information on ICON, contact AQIS:
- Foods of animal origin, email Biologicals Unit or telephone +61 2 6272 4578
- Foods of plant origin, email Plant Program or telephone +61 2 6272 3917
You must be sure that food complies with quarantine requirements. If food does not meet quarantine requirements, it will not be allowed entry into Australia.
It is very important that you declare all food that you bring or send into Australia.
It is important that you declare all food you are sending to Australia before you post it. You will need to fill in a customs declaration at the post office when you send the package. Make sure you declare all the contents of the package. The package will be inspected by AQIS.
When bringing or sending food to Australia for personal consumption you can bring/send in the following amounts:
- Up to 10 kilograms of solid food, or
- Up to 10 litres of liquid food, or
- Up to 2 litres of concentrated liquid food, or
- Up to 2 kilograms of dried food, or
- Up to 1 kilogram of spices
If you intend on importing more than these amounts, it may be considered a commercial import. The laws are different for commercial consignments and the food might require testing to ensure compliance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Importers are responsible for all costs associated with inspection and testing.
For an easy guide on what you can't bring in to Australia, refer to What can't I take into Australia brochure.
Frequently asked questions
- What happens if the food I wish to import for personal consumption exceeds the amounts specified?
- What happens to my product when it has been detained by AQIS?
- Does the label on my food imported for personal consumption have to comply with Australia’s labelling laws?
- Do imported food laws apply to therapeutic goods for personal use?
What happens if the food I wish to import for personal consumption exceeds the amounts specified?
Where a personal import of food is in excess of the amounts specified for private consumption the following options are available:
- Arrange to take with you/send only the amount of food allowed, per person, of a particular kind of food (the balance is destroyed by AQIS), or
- You may have the option of having the food treated as a commercial consignment. This means that the food may be subject to inspection or inspection and analysis under the provisions of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 which are set out in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
As the importer of a commercial consignment, you will be responsible for:
- the costs associated with lodging an entry with Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
- the cost of the inspection and the cost of any laboratory analysis, should an inspection of the food be required.
What happens to my product when it has been detained by AQIS?
If your product has been detained at the airport you may contact AQIS:
- Foods of animal origin, email Biologicals Unit or telephone +61 2 6272 4578
- Foods of plant origin, email Plant Program or telephone +61 2 6272 3917
If the food was posted to Australia and you have received notification that your food has been seized by AQIS you will need to email International Mail or telephone 1800 020 504 (free call within Australia), +61 2 6272 3933 from overseas.
Does the label on my food imported for personal consumption have to comply with Australia's labelling laws?
No. Labelling laws do not apply to food imported for private consumption, provided the food does not exceed the amounts permitted for private consumption.
Do imported food laws apply to therapeutic goods for personal use?
No. Therapeutic goods include medicines, cosmetics, herbal remedies, essential oils and certain sports and dietary supplements. Most therapeutic goods are not classified as food products. If you intend to import therapeutic goods you are required to contact the Therapeutic Goods Administration for further information and the Australian Customs Service for correct application of Tariff codes.
Many of these products must be accompanied by an Import Permit and there may be quarantine conditions that will apply. For further information on quarantine conditions, contact AQIS:
- Therapeutic goods of animal origin, email Biologicals Unit or telephone +61 2 6272 4578
- Therapeutic goods of plant origin, email Plant Program or telephone +61 2 6272 3917
Therapeutic goods must be declared on arrival in Australia. Further certification or endorsements may also be necessary and the Import Permit will outline these additional requirements. For specific details, refer to the AQIS Import Conditions Database (ICON) prior to import.