Import Conditions

Case: Alcoholic beverages Effective 28 Feb 2024

Import conditions prior to arrival in Australian territory

1. A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry import permit is not required.

2. These conditions cover alcoholic beverages for human consumption.

Warnings and Information Notices


Biosecurity risks are associated with a variety of ingredients. For composite goods, identify the ingredients and then search on BICON for the specific import conditions for each ingredient.


3. The product must meet the following import conditions.

   To demonstrate compliance with this requirement you must present the following on a Manufacturer's declaration, Supplier's declaration, Importer declaration, Invoice, Bill of Lading or Food product label:

   Evidence that the goods:

   1. are for human consumption
   2. are commercially prepared and packaged
   3. are ready for retail sale without further processing.

Additional information

4. Commercial administrative conditions
   Documents must be provided with each consignment which:

   1. identify the consignment (if non-personal) e.g. entry number
   2. identify all goods being imported as part of this consignment e.g. invoice or waybill or importer’s manifest
   3. describe the goods being imported (where not clear).
      e.g. 1: Product XRab = Purified protein derived from rabbits
      e.g. 2: Product AX = Synthetic antibiotic
      e.g. 3: Comte = Cheese.

5. Under the Biosecurity Charges Imposition (General) Regulation 2016 and Chapter 9, Part 2 of the Biosecurity Regulation 2016, fees are payable to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for all services. Detail on how the department applies fees and levies may be found in the Charging guidelines.

6. In addition to the conditions for the goods being imported, non-commodity concerns must be assessed including container cleanliness, packaging and destination concerns, and may be subject to inspection and treatment on arrival. Please refer to the Non-Commodity Cargo Clearance BICON case for further information.

7. Once biosecurity requirements have been met, it is the importer's responsibility to comply with the Imported Food Control Act 1992 and ensure food being imported is safe and compliant with Australian standards including the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Consignments of food may be referred for inspection and analysis under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme to verify safety and compliance.

   Some foods are not permitted to be imported without a recognised foreign government certificate or a recognised food safety management certificate. Importers must check the food complies with these requirements prior to importing.

Warnings and Information Notices


This commodity may contain animal derived material that may require a wildlife trade permit and/or other approvals from the Wildlife Trade Office. More information is available on the International wildlife trade webpage.