Australia - Quarantine Guidelines

Created by doina. Last modified on 2003-01-21 22:25:49
Contributors: Pamela and Munro Bezuidenhout S/Y Zephyr
Countries: Australia

In the weeks prior to making passage to Australia, the most asked question is, "What will quarantine confiscate from our boats?". Rumour and speculation is rife and does little to answer this question. We can only talk from our experience and those who arrived at the same time as us, clearing into Scarborough, Brisbane. The quarantine officer stressed that rules change regularly to meet changing circumstances. To obtain up to date information, there is a website listing items which will be confiscated and it is possible to e-mail queries about items you may be unsure about.

www.aqis.gov.au/shipping or e-mail Stephen.Rowland@aqis.gov.au

Items that were taken are fresh meat, chicken, fruit and vegetables. We were given the opportunity to eat any of the above before the quarantine officer left the boat. Raw eggs were taken but if they are boiled and shells removed, they can be kept. Fresh fish caught on passage was not a problem. Canned meat, chicken, fish, fruit and vegetables were not taken.

Milk powders were checked for country of manufacture, Australian and New Zealand milk are acceptable and probably USA too. UK milk was confiscated, at least when we cleared in. Canned milk, such as evaporated milk and condensed milk, were not a problem.

Popcorn was taken. Rice, flour, dried beans, pasta and dried herbs were checked for weevils or other insects and taken if any were found.

Handicrafts and souvenirs made from seeds or grass, carvings, dried flowers, shells and coral were checked and if necessary sent away for fumigation. You will be charged for air freight and for fumigation. On the east coast of Australia, all items are sent to Sydney. Animals are also sent to Sydney for quarantine, airfares and kenneling are paid by the owner. But animals are a section on their own and it is best to contact quarantine for procedures.

The quarantine fee is A$132 but fees can be higher if the amount of goods to be incinerated is excessive and depending on how much time an officer takes to check your boat. The quarantine officials were doing an important job keeping Australia free of unwanted pests. They were friendly, not pernickety and anything confiscated was done so with good reasons being given. So, all in all, our worries were unfounded.

Pamela and Munro Bezuidenhout S/Y Zephyr