Do I have to declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement at Australia customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?

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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 What you can and can’t bring. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Each container must be 100 mL (volume), 100 g (weight) or less.”

How does Australia compare with other countries on food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement can I bring into Australia?

Restricted

You can bring Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement into Australia only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 100 milliliter

What you need to know

100 milliliter (3.38 fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

What you can and can’t bring Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

Questions about Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement in Australia

How much food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement can I bring into Australia?: Australia allows 100 milliliters of food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement at Australia customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?: 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 What you can and can’t bring. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Each container must be 100 mL (volume), 100 g (weight) or less.”
How does Australia compare with other countries on food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

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