Do I have to declare meat, meat products and dairy products at Australia customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare meat, meat products and dairy products in Australia?

If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs Act 1901, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under Customs Act 1901, if it is treated as smuggling: an administrative fine is imposed; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Can I post or ship meat, meat products and dairy products to Australia instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take meat, meat products and dairy products out of Australia?

Australia publishes no separate rule for taking meat, meat products and dairy products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Australia limit for meat, meat products and dairy products apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Australian Border Force (ABF) states it in Bringing or mailing goods to Australia. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “When travelling to Australia you will be required to complete a declaration. By law, you must declare if you are carrying certain food, plant material or animal products.”

How does Australia compare with other countries on meat, meat products and dairy products?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat, meat products and dairy products, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. Australia is among the strictest.

How much Meat, meat products and dairy products can I bring into Australia?

Declare

You can bring Meat, meat products and dairy products into Australia, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Bringing or mailing goods to Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

Questions about Meat, meat products and dairy products in Australia

Do I have to declare meat, meat products and dairy products at Australia customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare meat, meat products and dairy products in Australia?: If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs Act 1901, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under Customs Act 1901, if it is treated as smuggling: an administrative fine is imposed; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.
Can I post or ship meat, meat products and dairy products to Australia instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take meat, meat products and dairy products out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking meat, meat products and dairy products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for meat, meat products and dairy products apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Australian Border Force (ABF) states it in Bringing or mailing goods to Australia. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “When travelling to Australia you will be required to complete a declaration. By law, you must declare if you are carrying certain food, plant material or animal products.”
How does Australia compare with other countries on meat, meat products and dairy products?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat, meat products and dairy products, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. Australia is among the strictest.

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