Important biosecurity information

Why does Australia have quarantine regulations for international mail and international travellers arriving in Australia?

Australia has strict biosecurity controls at Australia’s main entry points to help reduce the risk of exotic pests and diseases that could cause harm to our native environment and agriculture industries. Australia is very lucky to be free of many pests and diseases found overseas, including foot and mouth disease and avian influenza. Some of the items people mail or bring to Australia from overseas could be contain exotic pests or diseases, including food products such as fresh bamboo shoots, persimmons, longan, citrus, chicken and preserved pork sausages.

What sort of things is DAFF looking for during the Chinese New Year period?

DAFF is looking for any food, plant material or animal products as these items may contain exotic pests or diseases. Some items brought into Australia by travellers returning from Asia that may pose a quarantine risk and must be declared include:

• chicken and preserved pork sausages
• dried beef
• products containing eggs, especially duck eggs
• citrus
• fresh bamboo shoots
• persimmons
• Chinese herbal medicines containing ganoderma fungus or cordyceps
• dairy products such as milk and yoghurt
• fresh and dried fruit including lychees and longans

All of these products must be declared for inspection. Some items, such as wooden items may require treatment to make them safe to bring into the country. Other items such as fresh fruit and vegetables, uncanned meat products, eggs and dairy products are prohibited and will be seized.

How do items get detected and what happens to seized items?

At international mail centres, all incoming mail articles are assessed and may be screened using x-ray, detector dogs or inspected by Biosecurity officers. Where prohibited goods are seized, the mail recipient will be notified in writing of the seizure and what to do next. At international airports your luggage may be x-rayed, checked by detector dogs or inspected by Biosecurity officers. If items of biosecurity concern are detected, biosecurity officers will inspect them to make sure they don’t pose a biosecurity risk. Items that are declared and inspected, depending on the biosecurity risk, may be released, treated then released, or destroyed. It is best to always declare items even if you are unsure.

How can people ensure they comply with Australian biosecurity conditions?

If you’re expecting international mail you should familiarise yourself with what can and cannot be sent to Australia, and share this with family and friends sending mail. Remind your family and friends to correctly list all contents of each parcel on the Postal Declaration Label.
Before landing in Australia, all passengers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card. Take care to complete the Incoming Passenger Card correctly, as it is a legal document. You can ask your airline staff for an Incoming Passenger Card in your language if required. You must tick “Yes” if you have any food, plant materials or animals products inside your luggage. Failure to declare biosecurity risk items on your Incoming Passenger Card could result in an on-the-spot fine of up to A$220. For more serious breaches you could be prosecuted and face a fine of up to A$66 000 or 10 years in prison which may result in a criminal record.

If you’re a traveller visiting Australia or returning from overseas what should you do to make sure you pass through smoothly?

You can make your airport clearance quicker by:

• completing your Incoming Passenger Card correctly, listing the items you need to declare
• pack all items of biosecurity concern at the top of your bag so a Biosecurity officer can inspect them easily; or have the items you are declaring ready to provide to an Biosecurity officer.

How can listeners find out more information on Australia’s quarantine laws?

• visit the DAFF website
• ask your travel agent for a free copy of the “What Can’t I take into Australia?” brochure in Traditional or Simplified Chinese
• or call 1800 020 504 to order a free copy of the “What can’t be mailed to Australia?” brochure in Traditional or Simplified Chinese for yourself or distribute to your family and friends.