If you ship items to Australia, you might wonder what you can and cannot send to Australia. Here we explore the restricted and prohibited items to ensure a hassle-free move.

When planning a move to Australia, it is crucial to be aware of items that are restricted or prohibited from being shipped to the country. Understanding these regulations and knowing what you can and cannot bring with you will not only help you avoid delays and complications during the shipping process but also prevent any additional charges or fines.

By following these guidelines, you will be well-prepared and equipped to move your belongings efficiently. Should you require assistance with shipping your possessions from the UK to Australia, our team at PSS is ready to offer their expertise and support.

For your convenience, we have sorted what you can and cannot bring to Australia into helpful categories to make it easier for you to check when packing your possessions.

NB: This guide is for information purposes only. Whilst we have done our best to ensure it is accurate and up to date, rules are subject to change, and you should do your due diligence and speak to an adviser to assess your circumstances.

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1. Restricted Items you can bring to Australia from the UK:

While certain items may be brought into the country duty-free, others necessitate a declaration and inspection process upon arrival. This meticulous approach ensures that any potentially harmful or prohibited items are intercepted, preventing potential threats to Australia’s ecosystem, agriculture, and public health.

Whilst you may technically be allowed to bring the restricted items below, we recommend that you avoid packing those in your unaccompanied luggage or shipment as they can cause delays and additional inspection fees during customs clearance.

Food, drink and other consumables

While some commercially packed food items may be acceptable, we recommend avoiding importing foodstuffs.

	Food/Drink type:	Notes:
	Alcohol	You can bring 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages duty-free into Australia with you.
	Biscuits, bread, cakes, pastries, Christmas cake, and Christmas pudding	Excluding cheesecakes
	Cheese, butter and other dairy products	Cheese and other dairy products must be declared and inspected on arrival. Products not meeting import conditions will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.
	Chocolate and confectionery	You may bring commercially prepared and packaged chocolate or confectionery into Australia as a personal import.
	Coffee (roasted, Kopi Luwak/Civet and green coffee)	Roasted coffee is permitted in Australia for personal use if it is roasted, ground or processed into instant coffee (up to 10 kilograms).
	Dried herbs (including ginseng and saffron) and loose herbal teas	Commercially prepared and packaged loose herbal teas and dried herbs are allowed into Australia (only if they weigh no more than 1 kilogram)
	Fruits and vegetables	Only allowed if they have been canned or aseptically packaged.
	Fresh fruits and vegetables	Not permitted.
	Honey	Honey products are permitted in most Australian states and territories. A biosecurity officer must inspect honey products on arrival to confirm the honey items are free from contamination.
	Meat	Meat has strict import conditions, which can change quickly. Meat must be declared so is best to avoid importing.
	Nuts	Nuts must be declared and may be inspected on arrival. Products not meeting import conditions will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.
	Seafood	It may be allowed, but you must declare it to customs
	Spices	They may be allowed, but you must declare them to customs

Medicines, cosmetics and toiletries

	Cosmetics (including soap, shampoo and hair care products)	Cosmetic products are allowed into Australia if they are commercially manufactured and packaged and for the personal use of the person wishing to import the item. You may bring up to 10 kilograms or 10 litres for personal use.
	Medicines & medical devices	Certain medicines and medical devices for your personal use are permitted but conditions apply e.g. no more than 3 months supply, must have prescription or letter from your doctor. Medicines can’t be sent in unaccompanied luggage.
	Prescription and over-the-counter medicines	Allowed, but you must declare them to customs. However, some plant-based products, such as herbal medications, may also require an import permit. Prescription medicines can’t be sent in unaccompanied luggage.
	Perfumes	Allowed

Electronic items

	Item description:	Notes:
	Laptops and other electronic devices	Allowed
	Laser pointer	Allowed, but you must declare them to customs

It is often worthwhile shipping your electrical goods to Australia. For further information, visit our guide to shipping electrical goods and appliances.

We also have information on shipping batteries to help you understand restrictions, prohibitions and suitable packaging.

Household items, tools and possessions

	Item description:	Notes:
	Household and removal goods	General household goods such as furniture and personal effects are permitted to be imported.
	Knives, such as kitchen knives and cutlery	They may be allowed, but you must declare them to customs
	Musical instruments	Allowed
	Sports equipment	Allowed
	Toys	Allowed
	Tupperware	Allowed

Seasonal goods

	Types of seasonal goods:	Notes:
	Products containing organic matter	Any seasonal goods containing natural items, such as pine cones, wreaths, leaves etc are not permitted.
	Anzac Day memorabilia	You can bring Anzac Day memorabilia, but you must declare it to customs
	Christmas Decorations	You can bring Christmas decorations and gifts but must declare them to customs. Ensure decorations are artificial & contain no organic matter.
	Diwali or Festival of Lights Decorations	You can bring Diwali decorations and gifts but must declare them to customs.
	Easter Decorations	You can bring Easter decorations and gifts but must declare them to customs.

Oddities and unusual items

	Description:	Notes:
	Animal horns, teeth and bones	They may be allowed, but you must declare them to customs
	Beeswax	It may be allowed, but you must declare it to customs
	Matches and lighters	Allowed

2. Prohibited Items you cannot bring to Australia from the UK

There are certain items you won’t be allowed to bring with you to Australia from the UK. These include:

Any item that is prohibited or restricted under Australian law, such as drugs, weapons, and endangered species
Any item that is considered to be a biosecurity risk, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat (other than small quantities for personal consumption while travelling)
Any item that is considered to be a quarantine risk, such as plants and animals
Any item that is deemed to be a cultural or religious artefact
Any item that is considered to be a counterfeit or pirated product

Suppose you are unsure about any particular items you want to take to Australia. In that case, you must check with the Australian Border Force (ABF) before bringing them to Australia to ensure they are allowed.

Explosives items

	Description:	Notes:
	Fireworks	Not allowed
	Explosives and flammable liquids	Not allowed

Weapons

	Weapon type:	Notes:
	Automatic knives	Not allowed
	Ammunition	Not allowed
	Balisong/Butterfly knives	Not allowed
	Blowguns	Not allowed
	Concealed blades	Not allowed
	Daggers	Not allowed
	Imitation firearms	Not allowed
	Firearms	Not allowed
	Swords and other blades	Not allowed

Other prohibited items

	Description:	Notes:
	Counterfeit goods	Not allowed
	Cultural objects that are considered to be of national significance	Not allowed

3. Australian Biosecurity and Customs Clearance

Why Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions is so strict

The Australian biosecurity regulations are strict because Australia is an island nation with a unique and fragile ecosystem. The Australian government is committed to protecting Australia’s biosecurity by preventing the introduction of pests and diseases that could harm Australia’s plants, animals, and people.

Pests and diseases can be introduced into Australia in various ways, including on imported goods, in the luggage of travellers, or the bodies of animals or plants. Once introduced, pests and diseases can spread rapidly can cause significant damage to Australia’s economy and environment. Full details of the import conditions for affected items can be found on BICON, the database of more than 20,000 plants, animals, minerals and biological products run by DAFF, the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The Australian BICON helps to protect Australia’s biosecurity by:

Identifying and listing all of the pests and diseases that are prohibited from entering Australia.
Setting import conditions for goods that may contain pests or diseases.
Inspecting goods at the border for pests and diseases.
Seizing and destroying goods that contain pests or diseases.
Prosecuting people who break the biosecurity laws.

The Australian government’s biosecurity measures are effective in protecting Australia’s biosecurity. However, everyone needs to do their part to protect Australia’s biosecurity by:

Be aware of the prohibited and restricted items listed in the Australian BICON.
Declaring all of your goods to Customs when you arrive in Australia.
Not bringing any prohibited or restricted items into Australia.
Reporting any suspected pests or diseases to the DAFF.

Australian customs must also clear your personal effects before being allowed into the country. You can check out the FIDI guide for more detailed information on prohibited and restricted items.

Preparing Your Personal Effects for Shipment to Australia: Contaminated Items

Some personal effects can carry pests or diseases that could harm Australia’s plants, animals, and people. These items must be declared to Customs and will require cleaning or treatment before release to remove organic matter, dander, soil, dirt or other contaminants that threaten biosecurity. If this is not possible, the items may need to be destroyed or exported at your expense.

Here is a breakdown of what personal effects could be of biosecurity concern and will need to be cleaned before shipping to Australia.

Items of biosecurity concern

The following items may attract the attention of Customs inspectors, so you’ll need to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned, meet import requirements or consider not importing to avoid complications at customs.

Essentially any items that may contain organic material or carry dirt may be subject to inspection and cleaning fees or may be refused entry.

Category	Items
Animal equipment including, but not limited to	Animal beds, bedding, and baskets Animal grooming equipment, leads and restraints, saddlery, and other tacks Fish tanks and equipment, fish food, aquarium rocks Pet cages Pet food, naturopathic supplements, medicines, bowls, mats, utensils, and storage containers Pet wear, toys, and rawhide chews Portable and electronic fencing.
Artefacts/Furnishings/Ornaments/Souvenirs including, but not limited to	Animal products such as bones, antlers, feathers, animal hair and hide Beads, necklaces made of plant/animal material Carpets, mats, rugs Commercially manufactured musical instruments such as pianos, clarinets, oboes, violins, and guitars. Dried plant products, including banana products, photo albums, hats, bags, mats, and baskets. Fossils, rocks, sand, shells, soil, stones Non-commercially manufactured musical instruments such as rawhide drums, rainmakers, maracas, and pan pipes. Plant products, including bark, seeds, potpourri, dried flower arrangements, sphagnum moss, natural stems Pillows, including Thai pillows containing plant/animal material Sand, seeds or soil used as a filling Statues made of clay or compressed sand Wooden spears, bows and arrows.
Camping equipment including, but not limited to	Backpacks/day packs Boots, climbing implements Camping chairs Hiking/walking sticks Picnic baskets, cooler box/esky Picnic rugs, groundsheets Tents, tent poles, tent pegs.
Clothing including, but not limited to	Farm/outdoor clothes Footwear such as gumboots, footwear with wooden components Hats made of straw or other plant material.
Farm goods, vehicles and motorised equipment, including but not limited to	All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), quad bikes, motorcycles Carts, horse floats Farm equipment Jet skis, motorboats, outboard motors (must be dry) Non-machinery and non-fuel-operated items used in and around farms Toolboxes, generators Tyres.
Festive decorations including, but not limited to	Blown eggs Christmas trees, natural or artificial Conifer items, pinecones Dried holly, sphagnum moss, vines, wreaths Seed pods, straw.
Garden equipment, garden furniture and tools including, but not limited to	Any plant material Barbeques/grills Fertiliser, garden seeds Fountains, statues Garden tools and implements Lawnmowers, ride-on mowers, and catchers Outdoor tables and chairs Plant pots Sheds Used tools Waste bins Wheelbarrows Whipper snippers, weed eaters Wine barrels.
General items including, but are not limited to	Brooms, dustpans, and brushes Vacuum cleaners and bags Waste bins.
Kitchen – all food and pantry items including, but not limited to	All fresh foods such as potatoes, onions, garlic Dried/dehydrated food items such as herbs, teas, rice Pre-packaged food such as snacks, protein powders and supplements.
Kitchenware including, but not limited to	Flat-packed prefabricated kitchens Food containers, kitchen utensils Large appliances such as refrigerators, freezers Small devices such as bread makers, food processors, toasters Wooden items such as bowls, placemats, coasters, utensils, cutting boards, knife blocks, pots, pans etc.
Miscellaneous goods including	Goods need to be legibly described or with an adequate description. Goods that have not been itemised.
Sporting goods and playground equipment including, but not limited to	Bicycles, tricycles, scooters Cubby houses, sandboxes/sandpits Hockey sticks, cricket sets, racquets, pool cues, golf clubs, shuttlecocks Sand-filled weights, punching bags Seesaws, slippery dips/slides, swings, trampolines Sporting footwear such as football, cricket or golf shoes Fishing equipment/fishing tackle such as feather fish flies, lines, rods and tackle boxes Kayaks Wetsuits and diving equipment. *Sporting goods or equipment in contact with fresh water must be dry on arrival.
Toys including, but not limited to	Toys filled with sand, soil, seed or water Toys with wooden components, including rocking horses and skateboards.
Wooden items including, but not limited to	Antique furniture Baskets such as cane/wicker laundry baskets Brushes, jewellery boxes Carvings, statues made of wood, totem poles, bamboo products such as wind chimes Dowel Furniture such as bamboo, banana leaf, cane, rattan, timber, water hyacinth, wicker, willow or furniture parts Logs, sawn timber Picture frames Plywood and veneer Sawdust, wood pieces, wood shavings Timber Mouldings.

If you are still determining whether an item is of biosecurity concern, you can contact the Australian Border Force for more information.

Australia has strict biosecurity laws to protect its native plants and animals from invasive species. This means you must thoroughly clean your personal effects before shipping them to Australia to ensure they do not carry any pests or diseases that could harm Australia’s environment.

You can clean your personal effects using a variety of methods, such as:

Washing them with soap and water
Disinfecting them with a bleach solution
Vacuuming them
Steam cleaning them

Ensuring your personal effects are immaculate before shipping them to Australia is crucial. If you are not sure whether an item is clean enough, it is best to err on the side of caution and clean it again.

Here are some additional tips for cleaning your personal effects before shipping them to Australia:

Remove any food or organic matter from the items.
Pay special attention to seams, crevices, and other areas where dirt and debris can collect.
Allow the items to dry completely before packing them.
Mark the boxes containing cleaned items so customs officials can quickly identify them.

Even unintentional or accidental contamination can result in customs seizing and destroying items. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your personal effects are safe to ship to Australia and that you do not violate the country’s biosecurity laws.

4. Prohibited and restricted items for air freight shipping

In addition, to Australian import restrictions, if you are intending to send items by air freight, you also need to consider items restricted or prohibited under the IATA Dangerous Good Regulations. These guidelines are to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers.

Our Air Freight consolidation partners have issued the following list of prohibited or restricted items as a sample only – they do not warrant that it is full, accurate or compliant to any statutory regulations:

Fireworks, ammunition, sporting ammunition, firearms or explosives
Cylinders of compressed air, oxygen or liquid petroleum gas (LPG), any type of Aerosol can (eg deodorant, shaving cream, hair spray, paint etc)
Cigarette/pipe lighters or cigarette lighter refills
Cosmetics (e.g. nail polish, colognes, perfumes, nail polish remover)
Paint, fuel or paint thinners
Matches
Dry Ice, specimens or samples
Detergents, bleaches, drain or oven cleaners
Fibreglass repair kits, adhesives and puncture repair kits
Medicines of any type
Any type of chemical, pesticides, herbicides etc
Camping equipment (eg gas stoves, gas cylinders)
Diving equipment (eg air tanks)
Batteries of any type
Machinery with internal combustion engines, such as chainsaws, lawnmowers or garden trimmers
Printer ink cartridges of any type
Food of any type

Failure to comply with the above may cause delay, additional cost and/or the cases being opened and the offending items disposed of.

5. Other considerations

Items that require a permit

Some items, such as firearms you require for work and certain types of plants, need an import permit. You can find more information about import permits on the Australian Border Force website.

Items that may be subject to inspection

Any item that is not on the prohibited or restricted list may still be subject to inspection by Australian Customs. This includes things such as clothing, electronics, and personal belongings.

What to do if you are unsure about an item

It is important to note that the Australian Border Force has the right to seize any prohibited or restricted item. You may also be fined or prosecuted for bringing prohibited or restricted items into Australia.

If you are still determining whether an item is prohibited or restricted, contact the Australian Border Force for more information. You can also find more information on the Australian Border Force website.

Bringing cats and dogs to Australia

Under normal circumstances, you won’t be allowed to bring family pets such as cats and dogs to Australia due to risks from diseases and pests that imported animals may carry.

However, if you plan to relocate to Australia with your pet cat or dog, you must apply for an import permit. The permit process can be complex and time-consuming, so starting the process well before your move is essential.

Here is some more essential information that pet owners need to know before moving to Australia with their pets:

Pets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered.
Pets must have a valid import permit. The import permit must be obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) before the pet arrives in Australia.
Pets must be quarantined for ten days upon arrival in Australia. The quarantine period can be extended if the pet is found to be infected with any diseases.
Pets must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a veterinarian. The health certificate must certify that the pet is free of any diseases harmful to Australia’s native plants and animals.
Pets must be transported in a secure container that meets the requirements of DAFF. The container must be large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around, and lie comfortably.
Pet owners must be prepared to pay for transporting their pets to Australia. The cost of transportation can be expensive, so it is essential to factor this into the cost of moving.

It is important to note that these are just some vital information pet owners need before moving to Australia with their pets. For more information, please visit the website of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

New changes affecting the importation of cats and dogs (1^st March 2023)

The Australian government has changed the requirements for importing cats and dogs from approved countries. These changes are designed to strengthen animal identification, residency, and post-entry quarantine measures and to recognise the validity of a rabies neutralising titre test (RNATT) laboratory report for no longer than 12 months.

The following are the fundamental changes:

All dogs and cats must be implanted with an International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) compatible microchip before commencing pre-export preparation.
Dogs and cats must not have resided in unapproved countries during the 180 days before export to Australia.
For dogs and cats from Group 3-approved countries, the following conditions apply:
Rabies vaccination must remain current at the time of export to Australia.
An adequate rabies neutralising titre test (RNATT) laboratory report will only be valid for 12 months.
Dogs and cats from New Zealand must be continuously resident in New Zealand for 180 days immediately before export, or since direct importation from Australia or since birth, and must not have been in quarantine or under quarantine restrictions in the 180 days immediately before export.
For dogs and cats from Group 2-approved countries, identity verification, including microchip scanning, must be completed by the exporting country’s competent authority as part of the import permit application process.
Dogs and cats must undergo at least ten days post-entry quarantine in an Australian government facility.

These changes came into effect on 1st March 2023. For more information, please visit the website of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

The cost of importing your pet to Australia will vary depending on the size and species of your pet and the length of quarantine. You can find more information about importing pets to Australia on the Government website. Please note that there may be restrictions on the items you are allowed to import to your destination and we strongly recommend that you research before shipping.

PSS work closely with companies specialising in importing pets, so if you are looking for someone to help you speak to your account manager.

6. Shipping items to Australia – get an online quote today

Hopefully, you found this information helpful for shipping items to Australia. If you are looking for a reliable shipping company, look no further than PSS Removals.

By working with PSS International Removals, you will have direct access to a dedicated move manager with experience handling international shipping. We can help you with all aspects of the customs clearance process, from gathering the necessary documentation to filing the appropriate paperwork.

We will be on hand to help you with any questions or concerns about the moving process, such as whether or not you will be allowed to bring certain items to Australia with you.

To get started, contact us today for a free quote. We will happily answer any questions and advise you of the first steps to ship your items to Australia.

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What you can and cannot ship to Australia from the UK including prohibited and restricted items

If you ship items to Australia, you might wonder what you can and cannot send to Australia. Here we explore the restricted and prohibited items to ensure a hassle-free move.