Import Permits in Australia: Which Goods Need One and How to Apply

Some goods can only enter Australia with an import permit issued before they arrive. If a permit is missing, goods can be held, treated, exported back or destroyed at the importer's cost, so check early, ideally before you place the order.

Which goods need an import permit?

• Biosecurity-risk goods: many foods, plant material, seeds, animal products, biological products and some timber items, regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Therapeutic goods: medicines and medical devices, regulated by the TGA
• Chemicals and hazardous substances: some industrial chemicals and pesticides
• Firearms and weapons: permits from state police and federal authorities
• Other controlled goods: such as some radio equipment and ozone-depleting substances

How to check: BICON

For biosecurity, the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) lists the conditions for each type of goods, including whether a permit is needed, what treatment is required and which documents must travel with the cargo. Search by the product and its country of origin.

How to apply

1. Confirm the exact product, ingredients or materials, and the country of origin
2. Check BICON (or the relevant agency) for the import conditions
3. Lodge the permit application and pay the fee, allowing several weeks for processing
4. Send the permit conditions to your supplier so the goods are packed, treated and documented correctly
5. Give the permit to your customs broker so it can be quoted on the import declaration

Avoiding biosecurity holds

Even goods that don't need a permit must meet biosecurity rules. Every shipment needs a packing declaration, timber packaging must be ISPM 15 compliant, and machinery must be clean of soil and plant material. During BMSB season (1 September to 30 April), goods from target countries may need treatment before they ship.

Venture Freight's trade documents team checks permit requirements before your goods ship, and our licensed customs brokers manage biosecurity on arrival. New to importing? Start with our guide to importing goods into Australia.