Passengers arriving into Australia must declare all food (tinned or packaged), plant and animal material as well as all drugs and medications. All passengers are required to fill out a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Travellers Statement and an Immigration Declaration Card. For travellers arriving by sea, immigration processing may be completed on board the vessel. Passengers carrying in excess of $AU10,000 or the equivalent in any currency, are required to declare it by filling out a Cash Transaction Report Agency declaration. All travellers aged 18 years and over are allowed to bring the following goods into Australia duty free: $AU400 worth of goods not including alcohol or tobacco, for example cameras, electronic equipment, perfume etc 1125ml of alcohol (including wine, beer or spirits) Tobacco - 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear etc Goods owned and used for at least 12 months can also be brought in (proof of date of purchase may be required) People travelling with children should note that each child is entitled to a $AU200 duty free allowance. Business Travellers Business travellers carrying commercial goods or samples may need to obtain permits for their goods. A customs entry for Customs clearance may be required if the goods carried are valued over $AU250. Laptop computers and similar electronic equipment for personal use can also be brought in duty free. Yellow Fever vaccination is the only health requirement for travellers entering Australia and it is only required in some circumstances. If you have visited Africa or South America during the previous six days before arriving in Australia, you must tick 'yes' on the Travellers Statement form given to you before arrival. Departure Tax A Federal Government departure tax is charged to all passengers departing Australia, except those in transit for less than 24 hours. The departure tax is $27 for all people over 12 years of age and is collected when you pay your airfares. Quarantine Australia has strict quarantine laws which has kept the country free from the world's serious pests and diseases. Certain products are now allowed to be brought into Australia and other products need to be declared. Goods that must be declared are: Seeds and nuts - including commercially packaged seeds, seed ornaments and necklaces, nuts out of shell such as salted nuts, in foil or roasted. Plant products - straw packaging, wooden articles, artefacts, handicrafts and curios (includes wreaths and decorations made of cereal or grain), articles stuffed with seeds or straw, carvings, items made from palm fronds or leaves (items made from banana leaves are prohibited). Animal products - includes any items made with rawhide such as drums, shields, artefacts, dog chews, any treated skins, hides, furs, hair or feathers Food - includes cooked, uncooked and ingredients, dried fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices (including herbal teas and tonics), biscuits , cakes and confectionery, noodles and rice, teas, coffee and milk based drinks Bamboo, cane or rattan basketware Wooden articles (includes painted and laquered items) Fresh flowers and dried flower arrangements Pine cones and potpourri Shells or coral Feathers, bones, horns and tusks Stuffed animals Unprocessed wool and animal hair (includes yarns, rugs and clothing) Animal equipment (includes clothing, footwear, grooming, saddles and bridles The following goods cannot be brought into Australia: Dairy, egg and egg products Live animals (includes birds, fish, reptiles and insects) Meat and meat products Seeds and nuts Fresh fruit and vegetables Live plants Handicrafts and souvenirs made from seeds Salmon and trout products Biological materials (includes vaccines and therapeutic goods) Deer horn, edible birds nest packaged products Soil and sand All pork products You may meet a quarantine dog at the baggage carousel when you arrive in Australia. Don't panic - they are simply sniffing luggage to search for items of quarantine concern. If you are carrying food or other items subject to quarantine, you will need to show officers, receipts or other proof that the product is of Australian origin. If you can't show proof, your good will be confiscated. A note for interstate travellers: Queensland prohibits the entry of certain plant products from other states, unless certified. These include banana, grapevine, strawberry and sugarcane; mangoes and palm plants from Northern Territory; potatoes from Western Australia and Victoria. If you have items that you don't wish to declare, drop them in the specially marked quarantine bins on your way to collect your luggage and before handing your declaration card to custom officials. Remember: You could face a $100 on-the-spot fine or even face imprisonment if you do not declare items of quarantine concern. If you're not sure about the goods you're carrying or Australia's quarantine laws, declare them anyway and ask a quarantine officer.