Do I have to declare live animals and carcasses at Australia customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare live animals and carcasses 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 live animals and carcasses 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 live animals and carcasses out of Australia?

Australia publishes no separate rule for taking live animals and carcasses out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Australia limit for live animals and carcasses 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 Travelling to Australia. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Australia compare with other countries on live animals and carcasses?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit live animals and carcasses, 19 limit it and 0 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

Can I bring live animals and carcasses to Australia?

Official classification: Living animals and carcass

Declare

You can bring live animals and carcasses into Australia, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare

Declaration Required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Travelling to Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Questions about Live animals and animal carcasses in Australia

Do I have to declare live animals and carcasses at Australia customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare live animals and carcasses 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 live animals and carcasses 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 live animals and carcasses out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking live animals and carcasses out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for live animals and carcasses 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 Travelling to Australia. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Australia compare with other countries on live animals and carcasses?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit live animals and carcasses, 19 limit it and 0 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

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