Do I have to declare negotiable instruments and securities at Australia customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare negotiable instruments and securities in Australia?

Under Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, if it is treated as smuggling: the case is referred to the responsible authority; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Can I post or ship negotiable instruments and securities 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 negotiable instruments and securities out of Australia?

Australia publishes no separate rule for taking negotiable instruments and securities out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Australia limit for negotiable instruments and securities 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 Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules 2025. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Australia compare with other countries on negotiable instruments and securities?

Of the 19 countries covered here, 0 prohibit negotiable instruments and securities, 17 limit it and 2 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Negotiable instruments and securities can I bring into Australia?

Declare

You can bring Negotiable instruments and securities into Australia, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare

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

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules 2025 Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC)

Questions about Negotiable instruments and securities in Australia

Do I have to declare negotiable instruments and securities at Australia customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare negotiable instruments and securities in Australia?: Under Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, if it is treated as smuggling: the case is referred to the responsible authority; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.
Can I post or ship negotiable instruments and securities 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 negotiable instruments and securities out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking negotiable instruments and securities out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for negotiable instruments and securities 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 Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules 2025. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Australia compare with other countries on negotiable instruments and securities?: Of the 19 countries covered here, 0 prohibit negotiable instruments and securities, 17 limit it and 2 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Canada China France Germany

Other items in this group

Accompanied cash Cash and bearer negotiable instruments (all currencies) Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments Cross-border movement of monetary instruments (cash and bearer negotiable instruments) Currency and monetary instruments (CAN$10,000 reporting) Currency and monetary instruments over $10,000