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Customs
and Quarantine
By
Richard Moore
Now
before we go into what you can and cannot bring into Australia I
have a little something to say on Customs officials.
In
the main they are polite and go about their duties in a pleasant,
efficient manner.
However,
occasionally you run into one who is having a bad day and they can
get right up your nose.
Here
are my thoughts on a recent experience at Melbourne Airport.
Customs
Declarations
Make
sure you declare any necessary items, as there are severe penalties
for those who don't.
Tobacco
If
you are aged 18 years or over you can bring 50 cigarettes or 50
grams of cigars or tobacco products duty-free into Australia with
you.
All
tobacco products in accompanied baggage are included in this category,
regardless of how or where they were purchased.
General
goods
If
you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring up to A$900 worth of
general goods into Australia duty-free.
If you are under 18 years of age there is a A$450 limit.
General goods include gifts, souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment,
leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting
equipment.
Alcoholic
beverages
If
you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring 2.25 litres of alcoholic
beverages duty-free into Australia with you.
All
alcoholic beverages in accompanied baggage are included in this
category, regardless of where or how it was purchased.
Aviation
security regulations may restrict the volume of liquids that you
can bring into Australia as hand luggage.
As
an alternative, duty-free alcoholic beverages can be purchased in
an airport duty-free shop on arrival in Australia.
For
more see the Customs website.
Quarantine
If
you are bringing in goods made from or including animal products
- eg items made from rawhide, such as drums, shields, artefacts
and any treated skins, hides, furs, hairs or feathers - you will
need to declare them on arrival.
Some
of these items might be prohibited under international wildlife
legislation and might require import permits.
All
permits must be obtained before you enter Australia.
Without
the correct permits, your products may be seized.
Do
not rely on the assurances of traders, shopkeepers or other non-government
bodies that permits are not required.
For
more see the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foresty website.
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