What goods require biosecurity clearance in Australia?

All food products, plant material, timber, seeds, animal products, soil, used equipment, and personal effects that may carry organic matter require assessment by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Wood packaging (pallets, crates, dunnage) must comply with the ISPM 15 treatment standard. Your broker ensures the correct import permits and treatments are arranged before goods arrive.

What is an import permit and when do I need one?

An import permit from DAFF is required before importing certain biosecurity-risk goods into Australia — including live animals, plant material, seeds for sowing, and some food products. Permits specify the conditions under which goods may be imported, including required treatments and documentation. Your broker can determine whether your goods need a permit and lodge the application on your behalf.

What happens if my goods fail biosecurity inspection?

If DAFF finds biosecurity contamination — live insects, disease, undeclared plant material, or non-compliant wood packaging — the goods may be ordered for treatment (fumigation, heat treatment), re-export to the country of origin, or destruction. Treatment costs and re-inspection fees are borne by the importer. A broker experienced in quarantine procedures helps prevent failures through pre-shipment compliance.

How can I reduce biosecurity delays at the Australian border?

Work with your overseas supplier to ensure wood packaging meets ISPM 15 standards, obtain all required import permits before shipment, provide accurate commodity descriptions on documentation, and use a customs broker experienced in biosecurity requirements. DAFF's pre-arrival documentation assessment can also identify issues before goods reach Australia.

Quarantine & Biosecurity Customs Brokers

144 Australian customs brokerages offer quarantine & biosecurity services. Browse ABF-verified brokers, compare their credentials, and send a free enquiry to get started with quarantine & biosecurity.

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Quarantine and biosecurity services cover the regulatory requirements imposed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) on goods entering Australia. Australia's geographic isolation has preserved it from many pests and diseases found overseas, and the biosecurity system is designed to maintain that status. All goods arriving in Australia are assessed for biosecurity risk.

Goods that commonly require biosecurity intervention include food products, timber and wood packaging, plant material, seeds, animal products, and used machinery or equipment that may carry soil or organic matter. DAFF may require goods to be inspected, treated (fumigation, heat treatment, irradiation), tested in a laboratory, or held in quarantine pending assessment.

A customs broker experienced in quarantine procedures coordinates with DAFF before goods arrive, ensures import permits are obtained where required, arranges pre-shipment treatments to DAFF specifications, and manages the inspection and release process at the border. This expertise prevents costly container detention charges and avoids goods being ordered for re-export or destruction due to non-compliance.

24 CUSTOMS PTY. LTD.

Auburn, NSW

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Frequently Asked Questions

What goods require biosecurity clearance in Australia?

What is an import permit and when do I need one?

What happens if my goods fail biosecurity inspection?

How can I reduce biosecurity delays at the Australian border?

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