Entering Australia - Customs Requirements
Australian Customs carry out random searches at
international airports. They are particularly interested in weapons
(even if they are nothing more than ceremonial), drugs and contraband.
Passengers are required to fill out a Customs Declaration before
arriving in the country. This declaration also enquires about the
importation of natural products such as leather, feathers, food and
timber and requires visitors to state whether they have visited a farm
prior to travel.
Australia has managed to avoid many of the flora and fauna
problems which are common in other parts of the world and customs are
eager to prevent the arrival of things like foot and mouth disease and
fruit fly.
Quarantine Arrangements
Australia is a beautiful country free from many
pests and diseases found elsewhere in the world. Quarantine helps keep
it that way.
When entering Australia, it's vital that you declare on
your Incoming Passenger Card any food, live plants and animals and any
items made from wood, plants or animals.
Quarantine officers use detector dog teams, X-ray
machines and random baggage checks to detect undeclared quarantine
items. If you conceal itemsof quarantine concern, you may receive an
on-the-spot fine or you could be prosecuted.
More quarantine information for travellers is
available on the Australia Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) web
site: http://www.aqis.gov.au
Duty Free Allowance
The following duty-free concessions are available
to travellers provided that they do not exceed the specified amounts.
Group 1 - general
A$900 worth of goods (A$450 for people under 18 and
both air and sea crew members ) including gifts (given to you or
intended for others), souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather
goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment.
Alcohol and tobacco products cannot be included in this concession.
These goods can be:
obtained overseas
purchased in Australia duty or tax freebefore departure
goods for which a tax refund has beenapproved through
theTourist Refund Scheme
purchased from an inwards duty free shopon arrival.
Group 2 - alcohol
2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each passenger
aged 18 years or over.
Group 3 - tobacco
250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco
products for each passenger aged 18 years or over. One opened packet
containing 25 cigarettes or less is also allowed.
Additional Information
An airport bus service usually exists to
transport you into the city and remember that you will need to keep $25
aside for the departure tax. Domestic air travel is strictly non-smoking.
