The duty-free allowance in Australia offers specific benefits for travellers, including families and individual passengers. In line with this, duty-free limits are designed to guarantee personal use of purchased goods without incurring additional duty and tax.

The duty-free allowance in Australia also allows for importing goods that do not exceed AUD $1000. If you exceed this limit, you will be liable to pay tax and GST depending on the cost of goods, insurance and other factors. Try our free Australian import tax calculator to find out how much tax you will owe.

However, because many countries have free trade agreements with Australia, import tax may not apply regardless. Our calculator takes this into account.

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Australia’s Duty-Free Allowance for Various Items

1. Personal Goods

While most goods have applied limits, you can expect personal items to be free from duty and tax if they meet the following criteria:

owned and used by you overseas for 12 months or more
imported temporarily (a security may be required by the Customs)

Overall, these items are considered personal items:

New clothing
Footwear
Articles for personal hygiene and grooming (excluding fur and perfume concentrates)

2. General Goods

Adults (18 years and over): Up to AUD 900 worth of general goods duty-free.
Children (under 18 years): Up to AUD 450 worth of general goods duty-free.

Category	General Goods	Personal Items
Definition	Items for personal use, not necessarily used or worn during the journey. Includes gifts, souvenirs, and other purchases.	Items carried for personal use during the journey, typically used or worn by the traveller.
Examples	– Electronics (cameras, laptops, mobile phones) – Jewellery and watches – Gifts and souvenirs – Sporting goods – Toys and games – Cosmetics and perfumes – Books and printed materials – Household items	– Clothing and footwear – Toiletries and personal care items (excluding perfume concentrates) – Prescription medications – Personal accessories (handbags, wallets, sunglasses) – Personal electronics (mobile phones, tablets, laptops)
Duty-Free Allowance in Australia	– Adults (18+): Up to AUD 900 worth of general goods duty-free – Children (under 18): Up to AUD 450 worth of general goods duty-free	Generally exempt from duty and tax without a specific monetary limit, provided they are for personal use and not for commercial purposes.

3. Alcohol

Adults (18 years and over): Up to 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages duty-free allowance in Australia

4. Tobacco

If you are 18 years or older, you are permitted to bring into Australia one unopened packet containing up to 25 cigarettes or 25 grams of other tobacco products, as well as one open packet of cigarettes, all duty-free. This duty-free allowance in Australia applies to all tobacco products in your accompanied baggage, irrespective of their purchase location or method.

5. Personal Items

Clothing, footwear, and toiletries (excluding perfume concentrates and fur) are generally exempt from tax and the set duty-free allowance in Australia if they are for personal use and not for commercial purposes.

6. Prescription Medications

Prescription medications for personal use are generally exempt from duty and tax. It is advisable to carry a prescription or a letter from a doctor.

7. Food and Plant Materials

Certain food items, plant materials, and animal products may be allowed but must be declared and inspected by biosecurity officers. Some items may be subject to restrictions or prohibited.

8. Gifts Sent from Overseas

Gifts sent from overseas with a value of AUD 1,000 or less are typically exempt from duty and tax. Gifts valued over AUD 1,000 exceed Australia’s duty-free allowance may be subject to duties and taxes.

9. Books and Printed Materials

Books and other printed materials are usually exempt from duty and tax.

Exceeding the Limits

If you exceed these duty-free allowances, you will need to pay duty and tax on all items of that type, and not just the items in excess. The amount you pay will depend on the type and value of the goods.

Combining Duty-Free Tax Limits

When families return to Australia on the same flight or voyage, they can combine their individual duty-free concession limits by staying together during Customs clearance. For example, the combined duty-free allowance for a family of two adults and two children would be AUD $2700.

Power Up Your Journey: Navigate Customs with Powerhouse International

That wraps up our guide on everything you need to know about Australia’s duty-free allowance.

Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a first-time adventurer, Powerhouse International is your go-to partner for navigating customs regulations. Our expert customs brokers in Brisbane ensure a smooth and stress-free customs experience, allowing you to seamlessly bring back those cherished finds.

As experienced freight forwarders in Brisbane, we offer seamless solutions for shipping around the world.