Do I have to declare medicines at Australia customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of medicines 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 medicines 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 medicines?

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 medicines 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 medicines out of Australia?

Australia publishes no separate rule for taking medicines out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Australia limit for medicines 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 medicines?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines, 16 limit it and 4 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Medicines can I bring into Australia?

Restricted

You can bring Medicines into Australia only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler
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

Entering Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
What you can and can’t bring Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

Questions about Medicines in Australia

How much medicines can I bring into Australia?: Australia allows 100 milliliters of medicines 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 medicines at Australia customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of medicines 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 medicines 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 medicines?: 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 medicines 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 medicines out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking medicines out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for medicines 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 medicines?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines, 16 limit it and 4 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

Antique and replica weapons Banned knives and edged weapons Buddha images, artifacts/objects, antiques CITES-protected species and products Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) Consumer fireworks