How much Narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk medicines can I bring into Australia?
Restricted
You can bring Narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk medicines into Australia only within the stated limits.
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
- Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices Office of Drug Control
Questions about Narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk medicines in Australia
- Do I have to declare narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk medicines at Australia customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk 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.
- Can I post or ship narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk 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 narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk medicines out of Australia?
- Australia publishes no separate rule for taking narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk medicines out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the Australia limit for narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk 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 Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Prescription medicines such as morphine, oxycodone, methadone, methylphenidate, Adderall®, and benzodiazepines are all covered by the traveller exemption.”
- How does Australia compare with other countries on narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk medicines?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 3 prohibit narcotics, psychotropic substances, cannabis and abuse-risk medicines, 17 limit it and 0 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: Australian Border Force (ABF) — Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Australian Border Force (ABF) — Duty free concessions · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Australian Border Force (ABF) — Customs Act 1901 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Australian Border Force (ABF) — Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Australian Border Force (ABF) — Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices · verified 2026-09-19