Travelers may bring certain goods into Australia duty free. This includes up to A$900 of general goods such as cameras and electronics, 2.25 liters of alcohol, 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products. Personal goods are free from tax or duty if they have been used by you overseas for 12 months or have a temporary import permit. Other goods will be subject to Goods and Service Tax. Certain items are subject to further taxation such as wine and luxury cars.
Drugs including cannabis, heroin, amphetamines and cocaine are illegal in Australia and their import is prohibited. Other prohibited goods include any counterfeit goods and offensive types of pornography. Other goods require permits to be imported into Australia. An extensive list of these items can be found on the Australian Customs website under prohibited and restricted imports.
Australian import laws require that certain items need a permit to be imported to Australia. The list includes: firearms, weapons and ammunition; performance and image enhancing drugs; currency for which amounts over A$ 10,000 or equivalent must be declared; food, plants, animals and biological goods; all medicines including prescription medications, alternative, herbal and traditional medicines, vitamin and mineral preparation formulas; protected wildlife; heritage-listed goods; veterinary products; and defense and strategic goods.
Certain items can be imported into Australia duty free, under the category "Special Clearance Goods." Goods reasonably required for disaster relief or for urgent medical purposes, engines or spare parts that are unavailable in Australia and are urgently required for ships or aircraft, or for other machinery that serves a public purpose, or perishable goods. Consult with Australian authorities for specific goods information.
