As long as you declare all food items you will be surprised at what you can bring in. Usually processed foods are fine but items that contain meat, fish, dairy or any animal product are generally banned foods, as are any fresh fruit or veg.
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.
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).
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 do I need to declare at Australian customs? When entering Australia from overseas, you must declare if you are carrying any of the items in this list: Prohibited or restricted goods including medicines, steroids, illegal pornography, firearms weapons or illicit drugs.
Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, and articles for personal hygiene and grooming (excluding fur and perfume concentrates) may be brought into Australia in your accompanied baggage, free from duty and tax. For other goods, limits apply.
Cheese, butter and other dairy products
While not prohibited as long as you have it declared or inspected on arrival, bringing cheese to Australia could be risky for you if they do not meet import conditions. This could result in them being exported or destroyed at your expense.
For prescription medicines, carry the prescription or letter from your doctor that outlines what you are taking and how much you are bringing with you. Do not bring in more than a 3-month supply. Take any remaining medicines or devices with you when you leave Australia.
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.
Goods you can bring in without declaring
You may bring up to 10 kilograms of commercially prepared and packaged chocolate or confectionery into Australia as a personal import. Chocolate must not contain meat, e.g. bacon. Confectionery includes fudge, toffees, boiled sweets, peppermints, marshmallows and liquorice.
Key Points. Unless you have a special permit, you are not allowed to bring in foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meat products, rice, beans, eggs, and freshwater fish. Some commercially packaged seeds and prescription medication for personal use.
So, while chocolate and other confectionery are allowed in Australia as a personal import, make sure you declare them on your Incoming Passenger Card and expect the possibility of having them inspected by the ABF.
Things like makeup and hair products are fine to bring into the country. In Australia, if it's in your lightweight carry-on luggage, make sure any liquids, aerosols and gels are under 100ml or 100g each, and pack them in a clear, sealable case. This will help make your transit through security nice and smooth.
However, travellers entering and departing Australia must report any currency they are carrying of $10,000 or more in Australian dollars, or the foreign currency equivalent. Mailing or shipping currency of $10,000 or more in Australian dollars, or the foreign currency equivalent, must also be reported.
Food and Agricultural Products
Declare all agricultural products when entering the U.S. Cheese (only vacuum packed and pasteurized, no cheeses made of raw milk). Most Dutch cheeses like Gouda, Edam and Leerdam are allowed.
Australia currently allows imports of semi-dried and dried dates (with 30 per cent or less moisture content) from all countries.
Checked Bags: Yes
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. 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.
Australia has very strict customs and quarantine laws, especially in regard to the importation of food and animal products. If planning to travel to Australia, please pay particular attention to Australian Customs information .
Your doctor's letter must specify the name of the medicine and dosage. Ensure the medication remains in its original packaging with the dispensing label intact. This will assist with identifying each substance at the border. Be ready to declare all medication to the Australian Border Force upon arrival.
Liquid, aerosol and gel items must be stored in a resealable transparent plastic bag that measures approximately 20cm x 20cm. These restrictions affect items such as drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels, toothpaste and other similar substances in hand luggage.
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.
The good news is most commercially prepared and packaged foods are allowed into Australia. For example, you can bring roasted or green coffee beans into the country, as long as they are in clean, new packaging and free from contaminants.
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.