Prohibited & Restricted Goods
The ABF administers the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. Some goods are absolutely prohibited; others are restricted (importable with written permission/permit). Sanctions also prohibit goods from specific countries (e.g., Iran, Eritrea, Libya; punitive tariffs on Russia).
Rule of thumb: if your goods are restricted, you must hold the permit before the goods arrive, and present it to the ABF at clearance.
Absolutely prohibited (no permit pathway)
- Illegal drugs and narcotics; drug paraphernalia
- Anabolic steroids and growth hormones (without permission — permission rarely granted for individuals)
- Counterfeit currency and pirated media
- Certain weapons: flick knives, butterfly knives, concealed blades, daggers, nunchakus, throwing blades, tasers, pepper spray, knuckle-dusters, extendable batons
- Firearms and ammunition (very strictly licensed — importers need federal firearm import permits)
- Handheld laser pointers > 1 mW
- Signal jammers
- Asbestos (all six types) — including vehicle parts like brake pads and gaskets. Overseas "asbestos-free" certification is not accepted at face value; zero tolerance, penalties up to $180,000+ per offence
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Viable seeds, live plants, soil
- Most raw/unprocessed meat and dairy products
- Objectionable/RC (Refused Classification) material; violent extremist material and prohibited symbols (2026 enforcement notices)
- Products containing mercury above limits
Restricted (permit/permission required)
| Category | Regulator / permit |
|---|---|
| Prescription medicines & controlled substances | Office of Drug Control / TGA personal importation rules (generally ≤ 3 months' supply with prescription) |
| Tobacco & vaping products | ABF import permit; nicotine vaping products require prescription — non-prescription e-cigarettes prohibited |
| Alcohol (commercial) | State/territory liquor licensing + duty |
| Firearms, weapons, body armour | ABF/DFAT permits; state laws also apply |
| CITES-listed wildlife products (ivory, coral, tortoiseshell, some timber) | CITES permits |
| Heritage items, antiquities, fossils | Protected objects permits |
| Hazardous waste, ODS, PCBs, certain pesticides | Environment department licences |
| Radioactive materials | ARPANSA permits |
| Certain dog breeds; cat and dog fur products | DAFF/ABF permission |
| Ceramic foodware with excessive lead/cadmium leach | ABF permission |
| Cosmetics with > 250 mg/kg lead | ABF permission |
| Some glazed ceramics, cigarette lighters, toys with toxic coatings | ABF permission |
| Goods from sanctioned countries | DFAT sanctions permits |
Use the prohibited goods lookup to search these categories quickly.
E-commerce sellers: compliance checklist
- Screen every SKU against the ABF prohibited list and BICON.
- Confirm permit requirements before listing products for Australia.
- Keep supplier declarations (asbestos-free, materials, origin) on file.
- Display customs disclaimers for restricted items; block checkout where needed.
- Verify intellectual property rights — counterfeit goods are seized and destroyed.
Enforcement
- Prohibited goods arriving by mail are held; you get a seizure information sheet with options (permit, re-export, destruction).
- Undeclared restricted goods: fines, seizure, prosecution for serious offences.
- Note: border clearance ≠ permission to use an item — state laws (e.g., on weapons, lasers) apply separately.