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Some Christmas gifts should never be mailed
Remind overseas friends and family some Christmas gifts should never be mailed to you.
Remember, AQIS screens or X-rays all incoming mail to Australia. To help protect Australia from serious pests and diseases, remind overseas friends and family some things should never be mailed to you.
The following is a list of commonly seized Christmas gifts. Some of these items may be treated and released (fees will apply).
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pine cones
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spruce cuttings
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mistletoe
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special treats of cheeses
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nuts
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salami
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straw Christmas decorations
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straw packages
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any items with bark for example nativity sets
Commercially prepared cooked Christmas cakes (not containing nuts), biscuits and puddings (not containing suet) that are shelf stable may be permitted by quarantine, subject to inspection on arrival. For more information regarding import conditions refer to AQIS's Import Conditions Database (ICON).
Remind friends and relatives overseas about our strict quarantine laws and tell them that a list of ALL contents and packaging must be included on the postal declaration label.
All quarantine items must be correctly declared, including:
- all food and
- anything made from wood, plant or animal material.
Serious breaches of quarantine laws can attract fines of over $60,000 or 10 years imprisonment. Restricted items will be removed from international mail.
To find out what you can and cannot mail or send into Australia:
- view information on What can't be mailed to Australia
- view information in languages other than English
- call AQIS on 1800 020 504 or
- email: International Mail