Australia has strict biosecurity laws and procedures in place to ensure that products entering the country do not harm Australia's unique environment and agricultural industries.

The Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment regulates products imported into the country through the Biosecurity Import Conditions system.

Alan Self, director of operations at Brisbane Airport, says it is the responsibility of travelers to inform themselves about what items they can and cannot bring into the country and to comply with the department's import conditions.

On arrival, all passengers must fill out an inbound passenger card.

Self stresses that it must be filled out correctly and any goods that may pose a biosecurity risk, such as food, animal products and plant material, including wooden items, must be declared.

Biosecurity officers inspect the declared goods and decide whether they can enter the country safely or whether they must be treated, exported or destroyed.

While many goods can enter Australia, according to Self, those that pose a risk of introducing harmful pests and diseases are not allowed unless they have a special import permit issued by the department.
Fresh fruits and vegetables could bring in live insects or plant diseases.
Alan Self, director of operations at Brisbane Airport.