Many dried fruits and vegetables can be imported into Australia, however import conditions apply (for example, some can only be imported with peel and/or seeds removed and some may require an import permit).
Commercially prepared and packaged nuts are allowed into Australia if they are one of the following: blanched/roasted/fried/boiled nuts. shelled and tightly vacuum sealed nuts. nuts packaged in small confectionery tins sealed under vacuum.
While many commodities can enter Australia, Mr Self says, the ones that pose a risk of introducing harmful pests and diseases are not allowed unless they have special import permission issued by the department. Fresh fruit and vegetables could bring in live insects or plant diseases.
Australia's customs laws prevent you from bringing drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms and protected wildlife into Australia. Penalties may apply, so before travelling, check the Australian Government website for information on prohibited goods, item declaration and penalties.
Food. Food items brought into Australia need to be declared on your Incoming Passenger Card if you come by plane, or on the parcels you mail. Biosecurity officers may need to inspect some of the food you're bringing with you.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags within the continental United States. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
You must declare if you are carrying certain food, plant material or animal items. You can take these declared goods with you to the clearance point where they will be assessed by a biosecurity officer and may be inspected.
If you are carrying medications such as aspirin, paracetamol or Australian over-the-counter medications you do not need to declare these items to Customs and Border Protection when you arrive in Australia.
Before you arrive in Australia
must declare any risk goods, including certain food, plant material and animal products. This includes goods which are commercially prepared and packaged, fresh, dried, cooked, frozen or small amounts of food, snacks and ingredients for cooking. Don't take food off the plane or ship.
What kind of food can be brought on a plane? You can take everything in your checked baggage: from liquid to solid food. However, you are not allowed to carry liquid or gel-like food products in your carry-on baggage.
Australia currently allows imports of semi-dried and dried dates (with 30 per cent or less moisture content) from all countries.
All biosecurity requirements must be met before Imported Food Inspection Scheme requirements apply. There are no biosecurity import conditions that currently apply to uncooked ready-to-eat meat products. This means you cannot import any of these products into Australia.
Packaged Snacks
As long as everything is sealed and unopened, you're good to go. These are safe in your carry-on or checked bag. Granola bars, nuts, chips, crackers, cookies, and the like all apply.
Nuts are allowed entry if they have been boiled, cooked, ground, oven dried, pureed, roasted, or steamed.
You could receive an infringement notice of up to $2,664, have your visa cancelled and be refused entry into Australia. Don't risk your visa. Declare all food, plant and animals products when entering Australia. If in doubt, just declare it.
Do customs open every package to verify information? No, customs officers will not open up your package or packages without good reason. Every package is put through a scanner machine, or an x-ray machine, to verify that the items you are shipping match your customs forms.
From 1 January 2021, biosecurity officers will be able to issue infringement notices up to $2664 where travellers fail to declare potential high biosecurity risks (like uncanned meat or live plant material) when arriving at Australian international air and sea ports.
Most dried fruits and vegetables are not allowed into the United States without meeting special requirements to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. The following dried products are generally allowed but you must declare and present them to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for inspection: Beans. Dates.
The list of prohibited items includes coconuts, citrus fruits from Florida or Puerto Rico, and certain root vegetables. Travelers may only bring produce out of Hawaii if it's specifically packaged for that purpose.
Under current norms, coconuts are not permitted in cabin baggage on the grounds that they are flammable.
Dried fruits
Be careful about the types of food that you plan to bring to Australia for a cultural or seasonal event. ABF advises you not to bring in festive items such as dried fruits into Australia, as they may pose a biosecurity risk to Australia.
Liquid, aerosol or gel items must be in containers of 100 millilitres (volume), 100 grams (weight) or less. Containers must fit into one transparent and re-sealable plastic bag like a snap-lock sandwich bag. The four sides of the bag's sealed area must add up to no more than 80 centimetres (e.g. 20x20 cm or 15x25 cm).
Self-defense items, ammunition and sharps
Self-defense items, including ammunition, are banned from carry-on luggage and in some cases from checked luggage as well. This also includes most martial arts equipment, pepper sprays, firearms, chef's knives, corkscrews and other sharp items.