GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS

know before you goContents
Heading overseas?

1

Before you go

3

Departing Australia

3

Aviation security

4

Departing by sea

5

Departing by pleasure craft

5

Arriving in Australia by air

6

Arriving in Australia by sea

9Arriving in Australia by pleasure craft

9

Using your mobile phone and camera

10

Baggage searches

10

Prohibited and restricted goods

11

Travelling with medicines

12

What do I have to declare to ACBPS?

14

Duty and tax

20

Duty-free concession limits

20

Exceeding your duty-free concession limits

23

Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

25

Where can I get more information?

27

Complaints and compliments

29

Heading overseas?
Are you one of more than 31 million travellers getting
ready to pass through an Australian international
airport or seaport this year?
If you are, this guide will help you prepare for your trip
and give you an idea of what to expect when you passthrough Australian Customs and Border Protection
Service (ACBPS) at an international airport or seaport.
ACBPS officers play an important role in protecting
Australia’s borders from the entry of illegal and harmful
goods and unauthorised people.
Activities undertaken by ACBPS include:•

checking passports as travellers arrive anddepart Australia•

checking arriving and departing travellers’
documents•

questioning and searching arriving travellers andtheir baggage for prohibited or restricted goods•

searching aircraft or vessels for prohibited or
restricted goods•

seizing prohibited or restricted goods•

patroling the tarmac, wharf and baggage handlingareas to detect and deter criminal activity using
detector dogs to search people’s baggage fordrugs and other prohibited or restricted goods, and•collecting duty and tax on imported goods.

ACBPS uses a range of technology and techniques
to detect illegal activities with minimal impact onpassengers in airports and seaports including closed
circuit television and surveillance monitoring.
The Department of Agriculture also operates atairports and seaports. You will need to be clearedby Department of Agriculture Biosecurity officers
when you arrive in Australia, to ensure you are notbringing in any items of biosecurity concern thatmay put Australia’s agricultural industries and uniqueenvironment at risk.
The possession or trafficking of drugs is a very
serious crime. In many countries you could face thedeath penalty or life in prison.
DON’T CARRY ILLICIT DRUGS – ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.

Before you go
1. Make sure you visit www.smartraveller.gov.au
before you travel. The site has tips to makeyour overseas trip easier.
2. Read this guide to make sure you aren’t
carrying any prohibited or restricted goods.
Remember that countries you are visiting
may have different rules to Australia, so
check with the Embassy, High Commission
or Consulate of the countries you are visiting
before you travel.
3. Read page 12 of this guide if you will becarrying medicine for personal use.
4. Check with your doctor and find out if you
need to get a Yellow Fever vaccination
certification.
5. Understand personal duty-free concession
limits you are entitled to in Australia and youroverseas destination. For more informationrefer to page 20.
6. Ensure you lock your carry-on andchecked luggage.

Departing Australia
When departing Australia, you need to present yourpassport, completed Outgoing Passenger Cardand boarding pass to an ACBPS officer. You will
also need to go through an airport or seaportsecurity screening point.
Note: The Australian Government no longer provides
a Port and Date Stamp in travellers’ passports on
departure from Australia without a request. If you needa stamp in your passport, you must ask the ACBPS
officer when you depart Australia.

3Aviation security
There are aviation security restrictions on items you
can have in your carry-on luggage when you travel inand out of Australia. The restrictions include weapons;
explosives; sharp objects and tools; some sporting
goods; and liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) products.
For more information about the restrictions on
weapons, LAGs or other prohibited items visit
www.travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au
Note: The LAGs restrictions limit the volume of liquids,
aerosols and gels you can bring into Australia as
carry-on luggage on an international flight and thelocation where LAG items can be purchased. As analternative, duty-free alcohol can be purchased in an
airport duty-free shop on arrival in Australia.

Tips
Get to the airport early to allow plenty of time tocheck-in with your airline, fill in relevant forms,
clear ACBPS and security and process any Tourist
Refund Scheme (TRS) claims.
If you have expensive personal items likecomputers or cameras you’re taking with you that:
1. you intend to bring back to Australia
2. you are not claiming a TRS refund, and3. are not duty-free goods,
then you can register them on Form B263 (Goods
Exported in Passenger Baggage).
The Form B263 is available on our website
www.customs.gov.au/site/page4288.asp orfrom any ACBPS office. Goods must be
inspected by an officer in the ACBPS officeat the departure point.
Once registered, you do not need to declare thesegoods to ACBPS on return. Keep your completed
form handy to show ACBPS when you comeback to Australia.

4Departing by sea
If you are departing Australia by sea, you will becleared at the port before you join the vessel. You
will need to present your passport and Outgoing
Passenger Card to ACBPS for outwards clearance atthe location and time advised by the shipping operator.

Departing by pleasure craft
There are specific ACBPS requirements
for departing Australia by yacht orpleasure craft. For more information visit
www.customs.gov.au/site/page4260.asp

Your Outgoing Passenger Card is a legal document. There
are penalties for not filling in your Outgoing Passenger Card
properly and for making a false declaration.
REMEMBER – IF IN DOUBT, DECLARE IT

5

Arriving in Australia by air
All arriving passengers must complete an Incoming
Passenger Card.
Once you arrive in Australia, there are three key steps
before you leave the airport:
1.

Clear passport control

2.

Collect your baggage

3.

Proceed to the ACBPS and Department ofAgriculture checkpoint

Australia has implemented a self-service
passport control system in Australia’s eight majorinternational airports that can be used by travellers
who meet certain eligibility criteria. To find out if
you are eligible to use the SmartGate system,and to find out more about how it works, visit
www.customs.gov.au/smartgate/default.asp
All other travellers must present their passport andcompleted Incoming Passenger Card to an ACBPS
officer on arrival before collecting their baggage.

6

After completing passport control, travellers shouldcollect their own baggage and ensure it remains
with them at all times. Travellers should not allow
another travelling companion to take possessionof their baggage.
All travellers must then proceed to the ACBPS and
Department of Agriculture checkpoints and follow thedirections of ACBPS or Department of Agriculture
Biosecurity officers.
Your baggage may be x-rayed or examined by
ACBPS or Department of Agriculture Biosecurity
officers who work together to detect prohibited,
restricted or dutiable goods and biosecurity risk
items such as animal and plant material. You may bequestioned by officers and have your bags inspected.

In the arrivals hall you may see ACBPS and
Department of Agriculture Biosecurity officers using
detector dogs to search for drugs, biosecurity riskmaterial and other prohibited or restricted goods.
If you are caught carrying undeclared, prohibited or
restricted goods, you could be fined or prosecuted.
For more information about your arrival into Australia
visit www.customs.gov.au/site/page4351.asp

Tips
Complete your Incoming Passenger Card while
you are on the aircraft – this will save you time
when you land.
After you have collected your bags, have yourpassport, completed Incoming Passenger Cardand, if you self-processed through passport
control, your SmartGate ticket, ready to give to an
ACBPS officer when asked.
Declare on your Incoming Passenger Card all
drugs, steroids and high dependency prescription
medicines which may be subject to misuse,certain food, plant and animal products or othergoods as listed in the restricted goods sectionof this guide.
Make sure you know Australia’s duty-free
concession limits before you go shopping. See
page 20 for further details.

8Arriving in Australia by sea
When you reach your port of arrival into Australia,
you need to present your passport and completed
Incoming Passenger Card to ACBPS. Whenpermanently leaving the ship, at either the firstor subsequent ports, you need to present yourbaggage and Incoming Passenger Card to ACBPS
for clearance. You will also need to be cleared by
Department of Agriculture Biosecurity officers
to ensure you are not carrying any items ofbiosecurity concern.
In some cases, ACBPS officers may check yourpassport and Incoming Passenger Card on board thevessel before arrival in an Australian port.
SmartGate is currently not available at seaportsor regional airports.

Arriving in Australia bypleasure craft
There are specific ACBPS requirements for arriving inAustralia on a pleasure craft. For more information visit
www.customs.gov.au/site/page4260.asp
Be aware that your vessel may be searched.
Your Incoming Passenger Card is a legal document. There
are penalties for not filling in your Incoming Passenger Card
properly and for making a false declaration.
REMEMBER – IF IN DOUBT, DECLARE IT

9

Using your mobile phoneand camera
Mobile phones, cameras, video cameras and recording
devices must not be used in ACBPS controlled areasat airports and seaports. Keep your electronic devices
turned off until you have passed through all ACBPS
and Department of Agriculture processes and entered
the public area. Unauthorised use may result in anon-the-spot fine.

Baggage searches
Travellers arriving into, or departing from, Australia
may be subject to a baggage search by ACBPS and
Department of Agriculture Biosecurity officers.
ACBPS understands that travellers who know they
are not carrying any prohibited or restricted goods
can find searches and questions by ACBPS officers
intrusive and inconvenient. ACBPS also understands
that travellers may want to know the reason for
their selection. Selection is based on a number offactors, such as the traveller’s itinerary and answers
to questions. ACBPS is unable to disclose the exact
reason for the selection of travellers as this could
place risk assessment practices and law enforcement
processes at risk.
The fact that a traveller is selected for ACBPS
questioning or examination should not be taken as any
sort of adverse reflection on their character or integrity.
Please be assured that baggage and other searches
are an essential part of ACBPS’s role in protecting the
integrity of Australia’s security, economy, environment,
health and cultural heritage.
10

Prohibited andrestricted goods
It is illegal to carry drugs including cannabis, heroin,cocaine and amphetamines in and out of Australia.
Other goods may be restricted. You will need a permit
to carry these goods in and out of Australia.
See page 19 for a summary on what you can andcan’t carry and what you need to declare on your
Incoming and Outgoing Passenger Cards. There
are penalties, including on-the-spot fines, for not
declaring prohibited and restricted goods and formaking false declarations on your Incoming or
Outgoing Passenger Card.
Contact ACBPS, your Embassy, High Commission or
Consulate of the countries you’re visiting before you
travel for more advice about importing or exportingprohibited and restricted goods.

Counterfeit and pirated goods(DVDs, music, handbags, clothing
and apparel etc.)
Buying counterfeit or pirated items supports an illegal
trade that could involve serious criminal activity.
These goods are often poorly manufactured and, asa consequence, they can present a serious risk to
the health and safety of unsuspecting consumers.
Counterfeit or pirated items may be seized by
ACBPS and you may be subject to civil litigation
or criminal prosecution.

Travelling with medicines
Taking medicines out of Australia
There are no restrictions on taking medicines out ofAustralia for your own personal use (or for someone
travelling with you). In fact, it is a good idea to carryenough medicine for the entire trip, plus some extra
in case your travel is delayed. This is because an
Australian prescription cannot be filled overseas,
and familiar over-the-counter medicines may
not be available.
When you take medicines out of Australia, you need tofollow a few simple rules:•

Only take medicines you (or someone you aretravelling with) require for your personal use for aperiod of up to three months.

•

Carry a letter from your prescriber with yourprescription medicines. The letter should include
the name of the medicine, how much you aretaking, and state the medicine is for yourpersonal use.

•

If you can’t get a letter from your prescriber, there
is a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Medicines
Export Declaration Form that may be sufficient to
let ACBPS know a medicine subsidised by the
PBS is for your personal use, for no longer than
three months. Refer to the following website –www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/
forms/resources/2619-1201en.pdf•

All prescription medicines should be kept in their
original container displaying your name and dosage
requirements, and carried in your hand luggage toprevent loss.
12

Some medicines should not be transported acrossinternational borders unless they are accompanied bya customs clearance from the country concerned. Thisapplies to those classified as Controlled Drugs andmedicines of addiction (such as medicines containing
codeine or strong painkillers prescribed from a Pain
Unit). Even when these medicines are obtained ona legal prescription in Australia, you must apply forcustoms clearance to the appropriate Embassy, HighCommission or Consulate in Australia:
www.dfat.gov.au/embassies.html. You need to think
about any countries you might be entering as astop-over, as well as your final destination.

Bringing medicines into Australia
If you are a traveller carrying medicines such as aspirin,
paracetamol or Australian over-the-counter medicines,
you do not need to declare these to ACBPS when you
arrive in Australia.
Prescription only medicines that do not containcontrolled substances* can be brought into
Australia if you:•Import no more than three months’ supply for yourpersonal use, or the use of another traveller under
your care.

•

Carry a letter or prescription from your doctor,
written in English, as evidence that the
medicine has been prescribed to you totreat a medical condition.

*A list of controlled substances is available at:www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/
Content/list-of-drug-substances-requiring-importand-or-export-authorisations
ACBPS may request to sight your letter orprescription. Further information is available from:www.tga.gov.au/consumers/travellers.htm

13

If you are bringing medicines into Australia you tookwith you on your journey, then in most cases you will
not need to do anything extra to re-enter Australia.
However, you must apply to the Department of Healthin advance if you want to bring into Australia medicinesthat contain controlled substances and the substances
do not have a travellers’ exemption, such as anabolicor androgenic steroids (for example testosterone
or DHEA).
General guidance for travellers bringing medicines toand from Australia is available from:www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/
Content/general-guidance-for-travellers-bringingmedicines-to-and-from-australia
Important note: If you are in Australia for three months
or longer and require ongoing medicines, we suggest
you visit an Australian doctor to obtain your prescriptions.
If you want to have your medicines sent to you fromoverseas, you will need to obtain an import permit before
importation. We recommend you find out about importprocedures before you arrive in Australia.

What do I have todeclare to ACBPS?
Firearms, weapons and ammunition
You must declare all weapons, firearms andammunition and their components. This includes
imitation firearms and soft air (BB) firearms thatdischarge a plastic pellet by means of compressed air
which are commonly purchased as “toy guns”. Other
weapons such as paintball markers, blowpipes, allknives, nunchakus, slingshots, crossbows, electric
shock devices, laser pointers, body armour, batons,
pepper sprays, knuckle dusters and parts andaccessories for use with firearms and weapons mustalso be declared. Some of these items may require
permission to be imported, and may be subject toother import requirements such as unique serial
numbers and safety testing.

14

Please note: The illegal import and export of firearms,
weapons and regulated parts is a criminal offence witha penalty on conviction of up to $425,000 or ten years’
imprisonment, or both.

Currency
There is no limit on the amount of physical currency orbearer negotiable instruments you can bring in or takeout of Australia.
However, you must declare amounts of AUD$10,000(or foreign currency equivalent) or more using the
AUSTRAC Cross Border Movement – PhysicalCurrency form. You will need to see an ACBPS
officer if you require this form. More information
regarding AUSTRAC reporting can be found atwww.austrac.gov.au/info_for_travellers.html
You must also disclose any bills of exchange, traveller’scheques, personal cheques, promissory notes,
bearer bonds, money orders, postal orders or otherbearer negotiable instruments, regardless of value, if
requested by an ACBPS officer or police officer.

Illegal pornography
Illegal pornography is controlled on import and export.
This includes publications and any media which
depicts images such as child pornography, bestiality,and explicit sexualised violence.

Rough diamonds
Rough diamonds are controlled on import and export
and must be declared. All rough diamonds must be
accompanied by a valid Kimberley Process certificate
and be transported in a tamper-resistant container.
Further information can be found at:www.ret.gov.au/resources/mining/australian_mineral_commodities/diamonds_rough/kpcs/Pages/
kimberley_process_certification_scheme.allspx

Performance and image
enhancing substances
All performance and image enhancing substances
must be declared on arrival. These include human
growth hormones and all anabolic and androgenic
steroids such as DHEA.
You must present to ACBPS a prescription, a letter inEnglish from your doctor or a permit, depending on
the type of substance you are carrying.
Athletes competing in sports governed by a World
Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy
need to be aware they can receive sanctions for thepossession of prohibited substances or methods,
even if they have not taken the substance, or used themethod. The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority(ASADA) works closely with ACBPS to investigate thetrafficking of prohibited drugs, medications
and substances.

Athletes can receive a sanction for being involved in
the trafficking of prohibited substances. For further
information visit www.asada.gov.au

Medicines
Some medicines are subject to misuse, abuse ordependence and must be declared. The medicines
you must declare are:•human growth hormones•

anabolic or androgenic steroids, including DHEA•

opioid analgesics•

cannabis•

narcotic-based medicines.

Some traditional medicines may contain controlled
substances or endangered plant or animal products,
so these need to be declared to ACBPS.
Some drugs, medications and substances are bannedin sport, as are some methods. Athletes competingin sports governed by a World Anti-Doping Codecompliant anti-doping policy need to be aware they
can’t just take any drug or medication, or even use
certain methods. If an athlete needs to take a banned
substance, they can apply for a Therapeutic Use
Exemption (TUE) at www.asdmac.gov.au
Different countries have different laws about whatsubstances are considered to be medicines. Substancesthat are controlled in Australia may be easily available inanother country. If in doubt, it is recommended to declarewhat you have purchased.

Protected wildlife
Australia’s strict laws control the import and exportof protected plants and animals and associatedproducts. This can include regulated products suchas traditional medicines, ivory, snake or reptile skin,orchids, turtle shell, caviar and many hunting trophies.

Heritage-listed goods
Travellers need to apply for a permit to import or export
heritage-listed goods including works of art, stamps,
coins, archaeological objects, minerals
and specimens.
17Agricultural and veterinary
chemical products
Individuals should be aware it is an offence toimport unregistered agricultural chemicals (including
household pesticides and personal insect repellents)and veterinary medicines without prior writtenconsent from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary
Medicines Authority (APVMA). Registered products
bearing an APVMA approval number that you havetaken with you out of the country may be re-imported
without APVMA written consent.
Whether registered or not, some veterinary medicines
containing prohibited substances may require importapproval similar to those for human medicines. It isadvised to check whether there are any additional
import or export restrictions that might also apply toyour veterinary medicines before you travel at
www.tga.gov.au/consumers/personal-importationscheme.htm
All agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines
should be declared on arrival.
For more information visit www.apvma.gov.au orphone 02 6210 4793.

Defence and strategic goods
Permits are required to import or export defence andstrategic goods. For more information on which goods
fit into this category, refer to ACBPS’s Export controls
for defence and strategic goods fact sheet atwww.customs.gov.au
If you’re unsure, you should check Australian importrequirements before you buy. For more information visit
www.customs.gov.au or phone 1300 363 263.

18

Declaring restricted goods
Item

DeclareDeclare on For more
on Arrival Departure details, contact

Firearms, weapons andammunition

Yes

Yes

ACBPS

Illegal pornography

Yes

Yes

ACBPS

Performance and image
enhancing drugs

Yes

Yes

Australian Sports
Anti-Doping Authority
Office of Chemical
Safety, Department of
HealthTherapeutic Goods
Administration

Currency AUD$10,000 (or foreign
currency equivalent)or moreYes

Yes

AUSTRAC

Medicines andsubstances which may
be subject to misuse,abuse or dependence

Yes

Yes

Medicare Australia Officeof Chemical Safety,
Department of Health
Therapeutic Goods
Administration

Rough diamonds

Yes

Yes

Department of Industry

Certain food, plants,
animals and biological
goods

Yes

No

Department of Agriculture

Protected wildlife andwildlife products

Yes

Yes

Department of Environment

Heritage-listed goods

Yes

Yes

Department ofInfrastructure and Regional
Development

Agricultural chemicals
and veterinary
chemicals

Yes

Yes

Australian Pesticides andVeterinary Medicines
Authority

Defence and strategic
goods

Yes

Yes

ACBPS

Contact details for relevant organisations are listed at theback of this guide.
The possession or trafficking of drugs is a very serious crime. In
many countries you could face the death penalty or life in prison.
DON’T CARRY ILLICIT DRUGS – ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.

19

Duty and tax
Goods entering Australia may be subject to Customs
Duty and Goods and Services Tax (duty and tax). Most
personal items (see Personal goods section) may bebrought into Australia in your accompanied baggage,
free from duty and tax. For other goods, limits apply.
These include:•

goods purchased overseas•

goods purchased in Australia duty or tax free (thathave been previously exported)•

goods purchased from an inwards duty-free shop
on arrival into Australia, or•goods for which a TRS claim has been made.

Personal goods
The following personal goods are free fromduty and tax:•

personal clothing and footwear (excluding fur
apparel)•articles for personal hygiene and grooming(excluding perfume concentrates)•

goods owned and used by the traveller overseas
for 12 months or more, such as•

personal effects, furniture, household goods andfur apparel (excluding alcohol and tobacco)•

goods imported temporarily (note: a security
deposit may be required by ACBPS), and•goods that were previously exported from Australia(excluding goods that were purchased at aduty-free shop in Australia or goods for which
a TRS claim has been made).

Duty-free concession limits
Duty-free concession limits in Australia are different
to those in other countries. There are a number ofduty-free concession limits that apply. These
include the:•general goods duty-free concession limit•

alcohol duty-free concession limit, and•tobacco duty-free concession limit.
20

Note: Duty-free concessions do not apply to motor
vehicles, motor vehicle parts or commercial goods.
Commercial goods are defined as:•

goods that are intended to be used for acommercial purpose, including sale, lease, hireor exchange, or•

goods that have been imported in such a quantity
that, having regard to their nature or durability, thatquantity represents a commercial quantity.

General goods duty-free
concession limit
General goods (goods not covered by any otherduty-free concession limit category) of up to AUD$900
per adult (persons 18 years and over) and AUD$450
per child (persons under 18 years) may be brought into
Australia free from duty and tax. General goods include
gifts, souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather
goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches andsporting equipment.

Alcohol duty-free concession limit
If you are aged 18 years or over, you can import (orpurchase at an inwards duty-free shop) up to 2,250ml(total volume) of alcoholic beverages. All alcoholic
beverages in accompanied baggage are included inthis category, regardless of where or how they werepurchased. If you intend to purchase duty-free LAG
items at an overseas airport, refer to the Aviation
Security section on page 4 for information on security
restrictions that may affect duty-free purchases.

21Tourist Refund Scheme(TRS)
On departure you may be able to claim a GST andWine Equalisation Tax (WET) refund under the
TRS if you:•

Are a passenger, not operating air or sea crew.

•

Purchase a minimum of $300 (GST inclusive) worthof goods from the one retailer i.e. with the same
Australian Business number (ABN).

•

Purchase the goods within 60 days ofdeparting Australia.

•

Have a valid tax invoice/s that together total$300 or more.

•

Wear or carry the goods as hand baggage onto
the aircraft or ship. Special conditions applyfor ‘oversized’ goods (such as golf clubs andsurfboards) and goods that cannot be taken on
board as hand baggage due to aviation security
measures (such as LAG items including perfume
and wine). Contact ACBPS for more information.

•

Present your original tax invoice, goods, passport
and international boarding pass to the TRS facility
when departing Australia. Tax invoices over$1000 must contain the passenger’s fullname and address.

22Tobacco duty-free concession limit
If you are aged 18 years or over, you can import(or purchase at an inwards duty-free shop) up to
50 cigarettes or 50 grams of tobacco products, plus
one open packet of cigarettes containing 25 or lesscigarettes. Tobacco products include cigarettes,
cigars and other products containing tobacco. All
tobacco products in accompanied baggage areincluded in this category, regardless of where or
how they were purchased.

Pooling duty-free concession limits
Families that have arrived in Australia on the same
flight or voyage may combine (pool) their individual
duty-free concession limits. Families wishing to pool
their duty-free concession limits must remain together
when clearing ACBPS checkpoints.
A family means:•a husband and wife, and any of their children under
18 years of age, or•a person and his or her de facto partner (including
same-sex couples) and any of their children under
18 years of age.

Exceeding your duty-free
concession limits
Declared—Tobacco
Where you have declared more than 50 cigarettes or
50g of tobacco products, you will be provided with thefollowing options:•take the tobacco products of your choice up to
the duty-free concession limit (50 cigarettes or 50
grams of tobacco product), plus one open packet
of cigarettes containing 25 or less cigarettes,
without paying any duty or GST and abandon theexcess for destruction, or•

pay duty and tax on the entire importation of
tobacco products (not just on the items that haveexceeded the limit).

Declared—Alcohol
Where you have declared more than 2250ml of alcohol(alcoholic beverage), you will be provided with thefollowing options:•take the alcoholic beverage products of yourchoice up to the duty-free concession limit without
paying any duty or tax and abandon the excess for
destruction, or•

pay duty and tax on the entire importation of
alcoholic beverages (not just on the items that haveexceeded the limit).
24

Undeclared—Alcohol and/or tobacco
Be aware that if you have exceeded the alcohol and/or
tobacco duty-free concession limit/s and you did notdeclare goods in excess of your duty-free concession
limit/s, you will be charged duty and tax on the entire
importation (not just on the items that have exceeded
the limit). Alternatively, you can choose to abandon theentire importation for destruction.

General goods—Over AUD$900 (Adult)
or AUD$450 (Child under 18 years)
If you exceed your general goods duty-free concession
limit, you will be charged duty and tax on the entire
importation of that category of goods (not just on theitems that have exceeded the limit).
Be aware that penalties may apply where goods
have not been declared.

Tip
Carry proof of ownership in the form of receipts,
as they will help in assessing the value ofgeneral goods.

25

ACBPS may inspect the goods for which you areclaiming a refund. If you are unable to present yourgoods to ACBPS on request, or provide evidence
that ACBPS has sighted your goods at yourport of departure from Australia, your claim will
be refused.
If you are considering bringing goods back to Australia
for which a TRS claim has been made, you should
declare the goods and may be required to pay
back the GST refund. Penalties apply to undeclaredtaxable goods.
Please allow plenty of time to get your TRS claim
processed before the cut-off time of departing aircraft/
vessel as queuing at check-in, passport control,
security and the TRS maybe longer than
you anticipate.
Claims at airports can only be made up to 30 minutes
prior to the scheduled departure of your aircraft.
Claims at seaports can be made no earlier than
4 hours and no later than 1 hour prior to the scheduled
departure of your vessel. You will need to confirm
arrangements with the vessel for any changes
to these times.
Note: If you intend to make your claim at a seaport,
this will be available at the ship’s last Australianport of departure. This may not be the port in which
you embarked.
For further information regarding the TRS visit
www.customs.gov.au/site/page4646.asp

26

Where can I get
more information?
Australian Customs and Border
Protection Service (ACBPS)
1300 363 263
www.customs.gov.au
Department of Agriculture
1800 020 504+ 61 2 6272 3933 (ph)www.agriculture.gov.au
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority
13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232)+61 2 6222 4200 (ph)asada@asada.gov.au
www.asada.gov.au
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary
Medicines Authority+ 61 2 6210 4793 (ph)importconsent@apvma.gov.au
www.apvma.gov.au
AUSTRAC
1300 021 037
Translating & interpreting assistance call
131 450 and ask for AUSTRAC
www.austrac.gov.au
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
1300 555 135 (option 3)
www.smartraveller.gov.au
Department of the Environment
1800 803 772+ 61 2 6274 1111 (ph)www.environment.gov.au

Department of Infrastructure andRegional Development+61 2 6274 7111 (ph)www.infrastructure.gov.au
Medicare Australia
1800 500 147
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
Therapeutic Goods administration
1800 020 653+ 61 2 6232 8644 (ph)+ 61 2 6203 1605 (fax)
info@tga.gov.au
www.tga.gov.au
Office of Chemical Safety
Department of Health1800 020 103
www.health.gov.au

Complaints andcompliments
To offer a comment on any aspect of ACBPS, either
complete a Complaints and Compliments brochureavailable from any ACBPS office, phone 1800 228 227(in Australia) or email comments@customs.gov.au29

If you see or hear something suspicious that may
threaten Australia’s borders, call Customs Watch
immediately on 1800 06 1800 (toll free) or report online
www.customs.gov.au/customswatch
If you are overseas call +61 26246 1325 (normal callcosts apply). If you notice suspicious activity within
an Australian international airport or seaport, pleaseadvise an ACBPS officer. Your information could be themissing link in disrupting criminal activity.

For information on any ACBPS matters, contact the Customs
and Border Protection Information and Support Centre on
1300 363 263 or email information@customs.gov.au
or visit the website at www.customs.gov.au
Information contained within this brochure was correct attime of printing.
November 2013