Plan your trip
Customs and biosecurity
What you cannot carry across borders, and why the penalties are steep.
Customs and biosecurity
What you cannot carry across borders, and why the penalties are steep.
The guidance below is deliberately practical. It is the short list of things that change the outcome of a trip, rather than a general overview you could find anywhere. Read it once while planning and again the week before you travel.
What to know
The points that make the most difference, in rough order of importance.
- Declare food, plants and animal products every time
- Cash above the threshold must be declared
- Medication needs its original labelled packaging
- Duty-free limits are per person, not per family
Quick reference
- Plan thisThree to six weeks out for most trips
- Book aheadAnything capacity-limited or permit-based
- Verify locallyRules and prices change; confirm on arrival
- Budget impactVaries by region and season
Related guides
Other guides in the same section.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important thing to know about customs and biosecurity?
Declare food, plants and animal products every time.
How far ahead should I plan this?
For most trips, research this three to six weeks before you travel, and sooner if anything involved has limited capacity or requires a permit.
Does this differ by country?
Yes. Rules, costs and norms vary, so treat this as a general framework and confirm the specifics for your destination before booking.