Import Conditions

Case: Goods for cultural performances and exhibitions Effective 05 Nov 2024

Import conditions prior to arrival in Australian territory

1. Prior to the importation of goods into Australian territory, a valid import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is required.

   An import permit may be obtained by submitting an import permit application to the department (use the 'Apply Now' button at the bottom of this page).



Important reminder to importers

Goods that require a valid import permit, but arrive without one, including where an import permit application is currently under consideration, will be directed for export from Australian territory or required to be destroyed in an approved manner.

2. Alternative conditions are also available for tanned hides, skins and/or hair, bark, wood, bamboo, grape vine, straw, raffia, banana fibre, abaca fibre, sisal fibre, animal bones, animal hair, bird feathers, rawhide and wool.

3. Permit applications are assessed on a case by case basis. Please be advised that detailed information, including photographs of all goods is required in order to complete the application for these goods. Importers are advised to submit the application well in advance of import in order to avoid significant delays.
   
   Goods must be exported at the conclusion of the event. Goods cannot be sold, given as a gift or otherwise disposed of in Australian territory.

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.



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.

7. Seasonal measures apply to certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries as sea cargo, to manage the risk of Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) contamination. These goods must meet import requirements if they are shipped between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive), and arriving in Australian Territory by 31 May. These measures are in addition to existing import conditions that may also apply to the commodity risk of the goods. Please refer to the Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) hitchhiker pests BICON case for those specific import conditions.