How many dangerous dog breeds can I bring into Australia?

dangerous dog breeds may not be brought into Australia at all. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.

Do I have to declare dangerous dog breeds at Australia customs?

There is nothing to declare — dangerous dog breeds cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.

What happens if I do not declare dangerous dog breeds in Australia?

If it is treated as smuggling, the goods are confiscated; it carries between 0 and 10 years of imprisonment.

Can I post or ship dangerous dog breeds 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 dangerous dog breeds out of Australia?

Australia publishes no separate rule for taking dangerous dog breeds out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Australia limit for dangerous dog breeds 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 Importing animals. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Australia compare with other countries on dangerous dog breeds?

Of the 17 countries covered here, 9 prohibit dangerous dog breeds, 7 limit it and 1 let it through. Australia is among the strictest.

How much Dangerous dog breeds can I bring into Australia?

Prohibited

You cannot bring Dangerous dog breeds into Australia.

Carried Not allowed

Declaration Required — surrender

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler, Sent ahead

Important

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

If you do not declare

Step 1: Confiscation, Criminal prosecution

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Importing animals Australian Border Force

Questions about Dangerous dog breeds in Australia

How many dangerous dog breeds can I bring into Australia?: dangerous dog breeds may not be brought into Australia at all. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare dangerous dog breeds at Australia customs?: There is nothing to declare — dangerous dog breeds cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.
What happens if I do not declare dangerous dog breeds in Australia?: If it is treated as smuggling, the goods are confiscated; it carries between 0 and 10 years of imprisonment.
Can I post or ship dangerous dog breeds 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 dangerous dog breeds out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking dangerous dog breeds out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for dangerous dog breeds 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 Importing animals. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Australia compare with other countries on dangerous dog breeds?: Of the 17 countries covered here, 9 prohibit dangerous dog breeds, 7 limit it and 1 let it through. Australia is among the strictest.

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