What happens if I do not declare medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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 medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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: “Prescription medicines such as morphine, oxycodone, methadone, methylphenidate, Adderall®, and benzodiazepines are all covered by the traveller exemption.”

How does Australia compare with other countries on medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, 18 limit it and 2 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances can I bring into Australia?

Allowed

You can bring Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances into Australia without a special limit.

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not 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

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

Questions about Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances in Australia

Do I have to declare medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances at Australia customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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 medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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 medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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: “Prescription medicines such as morphine, oxycodone, methadone, methylphenidate, Adderall®, and benzodiazepines are all covered by the traveller exemption.”
How does Australia compare with other countries on medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, 18 limit it and 2 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

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Related countries

Canada China France Germany

Other items in this group

Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) Controlled/prescription medicine Dietary supplements and sports nutrition External-use medicine (personal use) Medicine containing stimulant raw materials Narcotic and psychotropic medicines