Do I have to declare gifts and personal goods at Australia customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods in Australia?

If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. If it is treated as smuggling, an administrative fine is imposed; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Can I post or ship gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods out of Australia?

Australia publishes no separate rule for taking gifts and personal goods out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Australia limit for gifts and personal goods 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 2026-09-16. 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 gifts and personal goods?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Gifts and personal goods can I bring into Australia?

Restricted

You can bring Gifts and personal goods into Australia only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 900 AUD

Arrival duty-free allowed

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 900 AUD
Channels: Arrival duty-free, Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
No stated quantity
Value cap: 450 AUD
Channels: Arrival duty-free, Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
No stated quantity
Value cap: 450 AUD
Channels: Arrival duty-free, Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

Important

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

If you do not declare

Step 1: Standard duty
Step 2: Administrative fine, Criminal prosecution

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Duty free Australian Border Force
Duty free Australian Border Force

Questions about Gifts and personal goods in Australia

How much gifts and personal goods can I bring into Australia?: Australia allows 900 AUD 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 gifts and personal goods at Australia customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods in Australia?: If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. If it is treated as smuggling, an administrative fine is imposed; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.
Can I post or ship gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking gifts and personal goods out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for gifts and personal goods 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 2026-09-16. 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 gifts and personal goods?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 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

Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Audio and video recorder/player Driver and crew border-shop bundle GPS device Game console Gifts sent by post