Prohibited Goods
Your Guide to Understanding Prohibited and Restricted Goods in Australia.
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Introduction to Prohibited and Restricted Goods in Australia
When importing or exporting items to and from Australia, it’s important to be aware of the Australian Government’s restrictions on prohibited and restricted goods. These regulations are in place to protect the country’s environment, economy, and public safety. Certain items are completely banned, meaning they cannot be imported or exported under any circumstances. Other restricted items may be allowed if you obtain prior written permission and meet specific conditions.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of goods that are prohibited or restricted for import and export. Understanding these regulations can help ensure a smooth process when shipping items into Australia. If you have questions about whether your goods are allowed, or need assistance with customs clearance, our team at Palmers Relocations is here to help.
Prohibited Categories and Items
Animals and Plants
| Name | Category | Type |
| Australian native animals and plant species | Animals and plants | Export |
| Cat and dog fur products | Animals and plants | Import/Export |
| Dogs – dangerous breeds | Animals and plants | Import |
| Endangered animal and plant species – CITES | Animals and plants | Import/Export |
| Fish | Animals and plants | Import |
| Tobacco – unmanufactured leaf and tobacco refuse | Animals and plants | Import |
| Toothfish | Animals and plants | Import/Export |
Consumer Products
| Name | Category | Type |
| Ceramic ware – glazed | Consumer products | Import |
| Competition and Consumer Act goods | Consumer products | Import |
| Cosmetics – toxic materials | Consumer products | Import |
| Credit cards – counterfeit | Consumer products | Import/Export |
| Dog collars – protrusions | Consumer products | Import |
| Erasers, novelty – toxic materials | Consumer products | Import |
| Fly swatters/mosquito bats – electronic | Consumer products | Import |
| Incandescent lamps | Consumer products | Import |
| Laser pointers | Consumer products | Import |
| Lighters | Consumer products | Import |
| Money boxes, novelty-toxic materials | Consumer products | Import |
| Pencils or paintbrushes – toxic materials | Consumer products | Import |
| Toys – toxic materials | Consumer products | Import |
| Food / Spices | Consumer products | Import/Export |
Defence and Strategic Goods
| Name | Category | Type |
| Biological agents | Defence and Strategic goods | Export |
| Certain chemical compounds | Defence and Strategic goods | Export |
| Defence and Strategic Goods | Defence and Strategic goods | Export |
| Nuclear Material | Defence and Strategic goods | Export |
| Radioactive substances | Defence and Strategic goods | Import/Export |
| Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate (SSAN) | Defence and Strategic goods | Import/Export |
Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances
| Name | Category | Type |
| Drugs and narcotics | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Import |
| Growth hormones and substances of human or animal origin | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Import |
| New psychoactive substances and serious drug alternatives | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Import |
| Precursor substances | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Export |
| Prescription medicines | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Export |
| Therapeutic drugs, substances and goods | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Import |
| Tobacco | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Import |
| Tobacco – Chewing and oral snuff | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Import |
| Vaping goods | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Import |
| Anabolic or androgenic substances | Drugs, Medicines and Therapeutic Substances | Import |
Firearms
| Name | Category | Type |
| Firearms and firearms parts, accessories and ammunition | Firearms | Import/Export |
| Imitation firearms | Firearms | Import |
| Paintball markers | Firearms | Import |
| Soft air (BB) firearms | Firearms | Import |
| Trip Alarms capable of firing explosive ammunition | Firearms | Import/Export |
Hazardous Goods
| Name | Category | Type |
| Explosives, plastic | Hazardous goods | Import |
| Hazardous waste | Hazardous goods | Import/Export |
| Mercury | Hazardous goods | Import/Export |
| Ozone depleting substances/synthetic greenhouse gases | Hazardous goods | Import/Export |
| Pesticides and other hazardous chemicals | Hazardous goods | Import/Export |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Terphenyls and Polyphenyls – Chemicals | Hazardous goods | Import |
| Asbestos | Hazardous goods | Import |
Intellectual Property and Cultural Items
| Name | Category | Type |
| Cultural heritage goods | Intellectual property and cultural items | Import/Export |
| Goods bearing an image of an Australian state or territory Arms, flag, or seal | Intellectual property and cultural items | Import |
| Goods bearing an image of the Arms, flag or seal of the Commonwealth | Intellectual property and cultural items | Import |
| ANZAC | Intellectual property and cultural items | Import |
Miscellaneous
| Name | Category | Type |
| Human body fluids, organs and other tissue | Miscellaneous | Export |
| Ice Pipes | Miscellaneous | Import |
| Kava | Miscellaneous | Import |
| Pepper and OC spray | Miscellaneous | Import |
| Pornography and objectionable material | Miscellaneous | Import/Export |
| Rough diamonds – Kimberley Process | Miscellaneous | Import/Export |
| Sanctioned countries/entities | Miscellaneous | Import/Export |
| Signal jammers / signal jamming devices | Miscellaneous | Import |
| Suicide devices | Miscellaneous | Import/Export |
| Tablet Presses and Encapsulators | Miscellaneous | Import |
| Viable material derived from human embryo clones | Miscellaneous | Import/Export |
| Wine and brandy | Miscellaneous | Export |
| Woolpacks | Miscellaneous | Import |
Weapons
| Name | Category | Type |
| Body armour | Weapons | Import |
| Chemical weapons | Weapons | Import |
| Directed Energy Weapons | Weapons | Import/Export |
| Electromagnetic Weapons | Weapons | Import/Export |
| Extendable batons | Weapons | Import |
| Karambits | Weapons | Import |
| Knives and daggers | Weapons | Import |
| Warfare Goods and other Weapons | Weapons | Import |
How to Obtain Approval for Restricted Items?
If you’re dealing with restricted items as part of your move, your assigned move manager will be your direct point of contact throughout the process. They can guide you through the permit application, help ensure all required documentation is in order, and provide detailed information about the regulations. Their support can simplify the process, making sure you meet all requirements for your restricted goods, ensuring a smoother experience with your move. For more details, refer to the Australian Border Force website.
Need help understanding import restrictions? Contact Palmers Relocations for expert guidance on your move to & from Australia.
Contact Move Manager
We know moving to another country is an overwhelming process. Our move managers at Palmers Relocations are here to support and guide you through the moving process step by step.
If you have any questions or need assistance at any stage, send us a quick message and we will get back as soon as we can.
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