Quarantine Regulations

Quarantine regulations

AQIS - the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service - is responsible for protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases that could threaten our unique fauna, flora and environment or our thriving agricultural, horticultural and aquacultural industries.

That is why your vessel will be inspected by an AQIS officer when you arrive at any of the First Ports of Entry around Australia. You must not call in, go ashore or land any goods (including animals) before you have received clearance. If you have an animal on board you must confine it - you will also be required to moor in mid water. Should you seek exemptions there will be regular inspections which will incur a cost and may also restrict the cruising itinerary while in Australian waters.

What cannot be brought ashore?

Almost every kind of food available elsewhere in the world can be found in Australia, either locally produced or imported under strict conditions. If a vessel provisions in Australia and returns with those stores still on board, all dry stores, canned goods and packaged frozen goods identifiable as Australian origin will be acceptable. Fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh or frozen meat will not be allowed clearance on return to Australia regardless of origin (this is because of the risk of infection/contamination).

Ships Stores

Masters will have the following options in relation to the vessels provisions:

Yachts that arrive without animals on board and take the option of handing over all goods of quarantine concern for destruction or re-export at the owners expense may be granted unrestricted quarantine clearance. This will allow the vessel to cruise and berth alongside in all Australian ports and anchorages without the need for further Quarantine supervision.

Owner/masters of yachts who choose to keep all provision stores on board while in Australian waters may have conditions imposed which could restrict the cruising itinerary of the vessel. The vessel may only be allowed to enter proclaimed ports which maintain a garbage collection service under Quarantine supervision. In some cases permission may be granted to have the goods bonded on board. In this instance the owner will not have access to the goods while in Australian waters and the goods may require further Quarantine supervision. Masters will need to consider the costs involved with the bonding of stores and the removal of ships waste in a quarantine approved manner.

Animals on board. The presence of any animal on board will limit the options for the mooring of the vessel. For example if a dog or cat were on board, the vessel would be restricted in the ports that can visited during its stay in Australia. Alternatively the animal could be removed from the vessel and housed at the Animal Quarantine station at the owners' expense.

All animals on board vessels are to be confined on board or controlled in a manner approved by the Chief Quarantine Officer while the vessel is in any Australian port. This may also restrict the vessels cruising itinerary while in Australian waters and will restrict the vessel coming alongside without Quarantine supervision. Animals to which these conditions apply include dogs, cats, birds, fish and reptiles.

Owner/masters should obtain prior AQIS approval for more exotic pets before arrival in Australia.

Goods that will be inspected and treated if required:

Seeds and Nuts - Includes commercially packaged seeds, seed ornaments and necklaces, nuts out of shell such as salted nuts in foil or roasted. Some seeds including (but not limited to) beans, sunflower or un-popped corn are prohibited and will not be permitted entry.

Plant Products - Straw ornaments, wooden articles, artefacts handicrafts and curios - includes wreaths and decorations made of cereal or grain, articles stuffed with seeds or straw, carvings, items made from palm fronds or leaves (items made from banana leaves are prohibited).

Animal Products - Includes any items made with rawhide such as drums, shields, artefacts, and dog chews. These will require irradiation at the importers expense. Treated or tanned hides, skins, furs, hair or feathers will require inspection to verify level of processing. (Some animal products may be prohibited under international wildlife legislation).

Dried Fruit & Vegetables - Generally most of these items are permitted entry, however items such as dried banana (in any form), dried fruit of Prunus genus (plums, cherries, apricots etc) with the seed intact are not permitted.

Herbs & spices of any kind - Most herbs and spices will be allowed entry subject to inspection for insect pests. The storage of such items on board in insect proof containers will decrease the likelihood of an infestation.

Biscuits, cakes and confectionery - Baked biscuits and cakes will be permitted entry, as will chocolates, sweets, crisps and most confectionary items.

Noodles & Rice - Noodles may be permitted entry subject to inspection. They should not contain more than 10% egg or dairy content. Packaged or cup noodles should not have any discernible pieces of egg or meat present. Polished or white rice will be inspected for insects. Other types of rice such as brown or red rice are not permitted entry in Australia. Wild rice is permitted entry subject to inspection.

Teas, coffees and milk based drinks - Commercially prepared black tea is permitted entry. Herbal teas will not be permitted if they contain restricted ingredients such as citrus. Commercially prepared roasted coffee or coffee beans are allowed entry. Milk based drinks or drinks with a dairy content will only be permitted if of Australian or New Zealand origin or if the dairy content is less than 10%.

Bamboo, cane, or rattan basket ware and mats - Including coconut carvings and cane baskets, are subject to inspection by quarantine officers.

Wooden articles - Quarantine officers will inspect these items on arrival for insect pests, this includes painted and lacquered items.

Fresh flowers & leis - Flowers that can be propagated by vegetative means such as roses, carnations and chrysanthemums are prohibited entry. Non propagable material may be imported subject to inspection by quarantine officers.

Dried flower arrangements - Dried flowers may be imported subject to inspection by quarantine officers. Some species may be prohibited, these include cereal straws such as wheat and oats and material of the genus Eucalyptus.

Pine cones and Potpourri - These items are subject to mandatory treatment on arrival at the owners expense.

Shells or coral in any form - Including jewellery, curios and souvenirs, will be inspected by quarantine officers (some may be prohibited under international wildlife legislation).

Feathers, bones, horns and tusks - These items should be clean and free from blood, skin, manure or soil (some may be prohibited under international wildlife legislation).

Animal equipment (used) - includes clothing, footwear, grooming and veterinary equipment, saddles, and bridles. These articles will be inspected for general cleanliness.

Sporting and camping equipment - include tents, footwear, hiking boots, golfing equipment and bicycles. These articles will be inspected to ensure freedom from soil or other contaminants.

Goods you cannot bring to Australia

Dairy products
A Permit is required for the importation of dairy products or goods containing dairy products among their ingredients with the following exceptions:

Eggs or egg products
Fresh eggs are totally prohibited entry into Australia. In the case of a product containing eggs, the product is permitted entry subject to its egg and/or milk content being less than 10%.

Meat and meat products
All uncanned meat (includes fresh, dried, frozen, smoked or salted meat) will be prohibited from entering Australia. Small quantities of canned meats (excluding pork) will be permitted entry.

Seeds & nuts
Raw, unroasted nuts, raw peanuts, chestnuts and popping corn are not permitted entry in Australia.

Fresh fruit & vegetables.
All fresh fruits and vegetable regardless of source are not permitted entry into Australia.

Live Plants
Includes all propagable material such as corms, bulbs, rhizomes, stems, roots etc.

Salmon and trout products
There are special conditions regarding the importing of salmon and trout products. Inquiries should be made to AQIS (via the website if possible) as to requirements. Canned salmon is permitted entry.

Pork & pork products
All pork and pork products are not allowed entry into Australia.Please also note that AQIS is a cost recovered organisation and that inspection fees apply to all international vessels.

NOTE: The information in this document is accurate at time of writing. Quarantine conditions in relation to importing requirements may change without notice.

Additional Information
Further information including a current listing of goods that cannot be brought into Australia is available at our website. www.affa.gov.au

Vessel borne marine pests

AQIS also works to protect Australia from exotic marine pests and diseases that could enter via the hulls of vessels, in their in-water systems and in their ballast water. Every vessel visiting Sydney Harbour will be assessed before it is allowed to proceed to its allocated mooring. There are guidelines for vessels to manage these and you can help reduce the risk of introducing exotic marine plants and animals if you:

For hull fouling:

For in-water systems:

For ballast water:

For more information prior to arrival, please contact the Principle Shipping Officer of AQIS in Sydney on:
Telephone: 61 2 9555 5180 (7:30am to 4:00pm weekdays)
Mobile: 0409 049 665