Annex

The betel nut is the seed of the Areca palm (Areca catechu), the palm grows in tropical areas of the Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as "betel nut" as it is chewed with betel leaves (Piper betel).

Dried betel nuts permitted for import with inspection: The nut should be free from fresh pericarp (flesh surrounding the seed). These nuts may also be thinly sliced, the interior of the sliced nut has a vein pattern similar to a nutmeg.

Dried betel nuts

An example of fresh ripe Areca fruit (also known as tender betel nut); the unripe fruit is green. Fresh fruits are not permitted, the pericarp may be removed under supervision of a biosecurity officer and disposed of as biosecurity waste, or the whole fruit should be exported or disposed of.

Fresh Betel

Piper betel is a vine, the leaves may be imported fresh with an Import Permit. The leaves may be rolled in to a cone shape.

Betel leaf

The catkin (a specialised flower) of piper betel is also permitted on an Import Permit for Piper betel. This part of the plant is called the mustard stick or daka and is most likely to be imported from Papua New Guinea.

Mustard stick