Do I have to declare duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag at Australia customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag 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.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the Australia allowance for duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag 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 duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag out of Australia?

Australia publishes no separate rule for taking duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Australia limit for duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag 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 What you can and can’t bring. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Duty free items that you pack in carry-on baggage for your flight into Australia must meet Australia’s carry-on baggage requirements.”

How does Australia compare with other countries on duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag, 4 limit it and 16 let it through. Australia is among the more permissive.

How much Duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag can I bring into Australia?

Restricted

You can bring Duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag into Australia only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 100 milliliter

What you need to know

100 milliliter (3.38 fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
AJet	Stricter than the standard rule
Singapore Airlines	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

What you can and can’t bring Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

Questions about Duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag in Australia

How much duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag can I bring into Australia?: Australia allows 100 milliliters of duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag at Australia customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag 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.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the Australia allowance for duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag 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 duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag 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 What you can and can’t bring. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Duty free items that you pack in carry-on baggage for your flight into Australia must meet Australia’s carry-on baggage requirements.”
How does Australia compare with other countries on duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag, 4 limit it and 16 let it through. Australia is among the more permissive.

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

Cargo liquids in checked baggage (Zamzam water, edible oil, liquid food) Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) Medicine and baby food/milk liquids exempted from the LAG limit Perfume and toilet water Skincare and make-up products