What happens if I do not declare Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) 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 Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) 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.

Where does this rule come from?

Australian Border Force (ABF) states it in Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Carry medicines into or out of Australia under the traveller’s exemption for personal use or immediate family and follow entry requirements of your destination country.”

How does Australia compare with other countries on Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V), 19 limit it and 1 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) can I bring into Australia?

Restricted

You can bring Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) into Australia only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

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

Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices Office of Drug Control

Questions about Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) in Australia

Do I have to declare Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) at Australia customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) 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 Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) 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 Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) 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 Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Carry medicines into or out of Australia under the traveller’s exemption for personal use or immediate family and follow entry requirements of your destination country.”
How does Australia compare with other countries on Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V), 19 limit it and 1 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

Controlled/prescription medicine Dietary supplements and sports nutrition External-use medicine (personal use) Medicine containing stimulant raw materials Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances Narcotic and psychotropic medicines