Clearing Australian Customs & Biosecurity
All personal effects shipped to Australia are subject to inspection by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Australian Border Force (ABF). Items must be clean and free from soil, seeds and organic matter to pass biosecurity screening.
Customs clearance and quarantine inspection typically add 1 to 2 weeks to your delivery timeline, depending on the contents of your shipment.
We prepare, check and lodge the required customs paperwork with you to ensure your goods clear quickly and without delays.
What paperwork do I need?
For most household goods and personal effects shipments to Australia, you will need to complete customs paperwork before your goods arrive. We’ll guide you through the process and provide secure upload links for your documents. Typically, you’ll need:
- B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects statement (the main customs form for personal belongings entering Australia)
- Passport photo page
- Visa or residency evidence, where applicable
- Detailed packing inventory of all items being shipped
The B534 form is one of the most important documents for Australian customs clearance. It tells Australian Border Force what you are importing, whether the goods are personal effects, and whether any items need to be declared for biosecurity or customs reasons.
For step-by-step help, see our B534 form guide for shipping personal effects to Australia.
How do I prepare items to avoid quarantine delays?
Clean and dry anything that’s been outdoors or stored in garages to remove soil, seeds or organic matter.
- Outdoor furniture, garden tools, lawn equipment
- Bicycles, camping gear, golf clubs, boots and sports kit
- Vacuum cleaners - remove bags and wipe interior surfaces
- BBQs and patio heaters - remove ash, grease and residue
- Timber items - check for dirt or insect traces
We prepare and check all required customs documentation before shipment to help reduce clearance delays. You can also reduce the risk of biosecurity issues by cleaning outdoor and high-risk items before collection. For a full checklist, see our guide to what to clean before shipping household goods to Australia
Which items are restricted or need permits?
Not allowed:
- Fresh or frozen food, meat, dairy, fruit
- Soil, sand, leaves and untreated plant material
- Firewood, untreated timber offcuts, natural wooden ornaments
- Straw-filled cushions, mattresses or pet bedding with organic fill
Allowed with permits or extra checks:
- Outdoor/garden equipment (must be thoroughly cleaned)
- Certain wooden furniture or carvings depending on treatment
- Animal-based products like feathers, shells, leather, wool or bone
- Some medicines and supplements (import limits apply)
- Sporting and camping gear (free from dirt and plant matter)
- Tools and machinery with fuel, grease or oil residues
For more information see our Australia prohibited, restricted and high-risk items guide for shipping personal belongings and household goods.
