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Sunday, October 19, 2014

Sydney, Australia 2014 - Declare or beware!

In my previous post, i did mentioned that Australia is one of the strictest country so you might to double (maybe triple) checks on what things you bring to Australia.

Thanks to Australian Customs Department, they did provide you a list to check.

Incoming Passenger Card


Documents required for Customs clearance

All arriving passengers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card.

If you hold an Australian or New Zealand ePassport and are aged 16 years or over, you are eligible to use SmartGate when arriving at Australian airports.

SmartGate allows you to self-process through passport control using ePassport data and facial recognition technology.

All other travellers must present their passport and completed Incoming Passenger Card to one of our officers on arrival before collecting their baggage.

Sea travellers
When you reach your port of arrival into Australia, you need to present your passport and completed Incoming Passenger Card to one of our officers.

When you permanently leave the ship, you need to present your baggage and Incoming Passenger Card to us for clearance.

Sometimes our officers may check your passport and Incoming Passenger Card on board the vessel before you arrive in Australia.


Items you must declare on arrival

Prohibited and restricted items
It is illegal to carry drugs including marijuana, cannabis, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines in and out of Australia.

Other items may be restricted. You will need a permit to carry these items in and out of Australia.

See the following table for a summary on what you can and can't carry and what you need to declare on your Incoming and Outgoing Passenger Cards. There are penalties for not declaring illegal and restricted items and for making false declarations on your Incoming or Outgoing Passenger Card.

Contact us or the consulate or embassy of the countries you're visiting before you travel for more advice about importing or exporting illegal and restricted items.

Do not carry illicit drugs. Penalties for drug offences in Australia are severe and could result in a jail term.

Firearms, weapons and ammunition
You must declare all firearms, weapons and ammunition including:

- real and replica firearms
- air soft pistols (BB guns) that discharge a pellet by means of compressed gas, commonly
  purchased as "toy" guns
- paintball markers
- blowpipes
- all knives
- nunchukas
- slingshots
- crossbows
- electric shock devices
- laser pointers
- body armour
- batons
- pepper sprays
- knuckle dusters
- parts and accessories for use with firearms and weapons

Some of these items may require permission to be imported, and may be subject to other import requirements such as unique serial numbers and safety testing.

Performance and image enhancing drugs
All performance and image enhancing drugs must be declared on arrival.

These include human growth hormone, DHEA and all anabolic and androgenic steroids. These items cannot be imported into Australia without a permit.

Illegal pornography
Highly offensive pornography is controlled on import and export. This includes publications and any media which depicts child pornography, bestiality, and explicit sexual violence.

Currency
There is no limit to the amount of currency you can bring in or out of Australia. However, you must declare amounts of AUD10,000 or more in Australian currency or foreign equivalent.

You must disclose any promissory notes, travellers’ cheques, personal cheques, money orders, postal orders or other bearer negotiable instruments, regardless of value, if requested by one of our officers or a police officer.

Medicines
You need to declare medicines and substances which may be subject to misuse, abuse or dependence, such as:

- Steroids
- Opioid analgesics
- cannabis or narcotic based medications

These products may be restricted or require a permit in order to be imported.

- Traditional medicines
  Some traditional medicines may contain endangered plant or animal products and these
  should be declared.

- Prescription medicines
  If you are carrying prescription medication you do not need to declare these provided you
  import no more than three months supply.

- You should carry a letter of prescription from your doctor in the English language
  describing your medical condition.

- If you are residing or visiting Australia for three months or longer and require ongoing
  medications, you should visit an Australian doctor to obtain your prescriptions.

- If you are intending to have your medications sent through the mail or via courier, import
  permits will be required prior to importing the medications.

- You should enquire about the import procedures before you arrive in Australia.

- The Department of Health has more advice for travellers bringing medications into
  Australia.

No need to declare
You do not need to declare medications such as aspirin, paracetamol or Australian over the counter medications.

If you are carrying prescription medication you do not need to declare these provided you import no more than three months supply.

You should carry a letter or prescription from your doctor in the English language describing your medication and medical condition.

Food, plants, animals and biological goods
You must declare certain food items, plant material, animal items, equipment used with animals, biological materials, soils and sand to Department of Agriculture officers on arrival.

If you don't, you could be given an on-the-spot fine or face prosecution.

Food, plant material and animal items from overseas could introduce serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating our valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment.

Protected wildlife
Australia's strict laws control the import and export of protected wildlife and associated products. This includes:
- traditional medicinal products
- coral
- orchids
- caviar
- ivory products
- many hunting trophies.
- Heritage-listed goods

You need to apply for a permit to import or export heritage-listed goods including:
- works of art
- stamps
- coins
- archaeological objects
- minerals
- specimens
- Veterinary products

Declare all veterinary drugs and medicines. This includes products that contain substances prohibited without a permit.

Easy to say, if you unsure, just tick YES. Otherwise you might get fine of AUD 100 - 200. Depending on what things you have brought.


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