Ports: Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle, Melbourne, Sydney
Prohibited
The following items are prohibited from being shipped into Australia:
- Drugs
- Firearms
- Birds
- Most Animals
- Ivory
Shipping Container Restrictions: None
Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco:
Required Documents: Fully detailed list of wines and the ability to show the period wines have been held by the shipper.
Remarks: All wine over the concession allowance of 9 liters will be subject to duties, however, customs will consider each entry on an individual basis.
Firearms and Weapons:
Required Documents: Australian Shooters License.
Remarks: Firearms are seized by customs on arrival and taken to ‘Queens Bond’, from there the shipper can retrieve them on presentation of his/her license. Licenses can take from 6 to 8 weeks to obtain, following formal application to the Police Department.
Household Goods and Personal Effects:
Required Documents: All ports and airports require copies of all stamped pages of passports (one of which must show current arrival into Australia) and completion of Customs Declaration (B534).
Pets and Animals:
The following regulations apply to all pets and animals being shipped into Australia.
Regulations: Regulations on importing pets and animals are strict and must be adhered to.
Quarantine: Quarantine applies to animals being shipped into Australia. The length of quarantine depends on the type of animal and country of origin. Quarantine space is extremely limited.
Vaccinations: Pets must be sent with proof of current inoculations
Required Documents: An Import Permit from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service must be obtained.
Remarks: Birds are completely prohibited from being shipped into Australia. Prohibitions and restrictions governing the entry of domestic pets do apply and are strictly enforced. All pets will be required to enter quarantine for a specified period upon arrival with the length of time dependent upon the type of pet and the country it is traveling from. Plan in advance as quarantine space is limited and required documents must be obtained head of time.
Vehicles
Required Documents:
- Certificate of steam cleaning
- Bill of Sale
- Passport
- Import permit
- Insurance policy
- Original purchase and registration papers
- Receipts for modifications
- Driver’s license
- Car condition report
- Log books and service records
- Authorization from Federal Office of Road Safety
- Australian Quarantine Service clearance.
Remarks: All automobiles entering the country are subject to duties and sales tax. Taxes and duties are assessed based upon a formula taking into consideration the purchase price, age, and length of ownership. Combined taxes and duties can vary from 16% to 100%. Specific information on duties should be requested prior to shipping an automobile. All motor vehicles are inspected upon arrival and may be steam cleaned. It is recommended that steam cleaning be done immediately prior to departure and a Certificate of Steam Cleaning is included with other required documents and presented to your agent. All vehicles are subject to Australian Quarantine Inspection. Owners of vehicles should apply to arrival.
Motor Vehicles Standards in Canberra for approval prior to shipping.
Miscellaneous
Remarks: Cordless telephones and Citizen’s Band (CB) radios are prohibited unless approved by the Department of Transport & Communication.
Electricity
- Voltage 240 V
- Type I Australian plugs
Remarks: Outlets are often controlled by adjacent switches.