Do I have to declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) at Australia customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the Australia allowance for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out of Australia?

Australia publishes no separate rule for taking dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Australia limit for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) when used to pack perishables. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Quantity not to exceed 2.5 kg (5lb) per passenger.”

How does Australia compare with other countries on dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid), 12 limit it and 8 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) can I bring into Australia?

Restricted

You can bring Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) into Australia only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 2.5 kilogram

What you need to know

2.5 kilogram (5.51 lb)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) when used to pack perishables Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Questions about Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) in Australia

How much dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) can I bring into Australia?: Australia allows 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) at Australia customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the Australia allowance for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) 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 Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) when used to pack perishables. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Quantity not to exceed 2.5 kg (5lb) per passenger.”
How does Australia compare with other countries on dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid), 12 limit it and 8 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

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