Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty at Australia customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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.

Does the Australia limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 Duty free. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “If you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring up to AUD900 worth of general goods into Australia duty free.”

How does Australia compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. Australia is among the more permissive.

How much Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into Australia?

Allowed

You can bring Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty into Australia without a special limit.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit 900 AUD

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 900 AUD
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Duty free Australian Border Force

Questions about Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty in Australia

How much goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into Australia?: Australia publishes no quantity limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty carried by a traveller. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty at Australia customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 Duty free. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “If you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring up to AUD900 worth of general goods into Australia duty free.”
How does Australia compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. Australia is among the more permissive.

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