By Most goods can travel by air without any special permission. But every year, shipments through Sydney are delayed, seized or destroyed because they contained something that should never have been sent, or that needed a permit nobody applied for. Some of these items are obvious, such as firearms or drugs. Others are ordinary products that people simply do not realise are controlled.
This guide explains how prohibited and restricted items are regulated for air freight in New South Wales and gives examples of goods that commonly cause problems. It is part of our wider Air Freight Sydney guide.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the exact product, so always check with the relevant government agency or a licensed customs broker.
Prohibited or restricted: what is the difference?
- Prohibited items cannot be shipped at all, either because they are too dangerous to fly or because the law bans their import, export or possession.
- Restricted items can be shipped, but only if conditions are met. These may include a permit, licence, certificate, special packaging, a declaration or approval from the airline.
An item may be allowed under one layer of rules but restricted or prohibited under another, so it is important to check them all.
Layer 1: Aviation safety rules
Aviation safety rules apply to every air shipment, whether international or domestic. They are based on the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and enforced in Australia by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Forbidden on all aircraft are items such as damaged or recalled lithium batteries, some explosives and certain unstable chemicals.
Restricted items that may fly with correct preparation include lithium batteries, aerosols, perfume, paint, flammable liquids, dry ice, gas cylinders, magnets and some medical supplies. Some are allowed only on cargo aircraft.
Our guide to packaging and declaring dangerous goods for air transport explains how these items must be prepared.
Layer 2: Federal import and export controls
For international shipments, the Australian Border Force enforces controls under customs laws. These apply regardless of which state the goods arrive in.
Common import controls
- Weapons and firearms, including parts, accessories and many replicas, which need permits and police approval
- Illicit drugs and drug-making equipment, which are prohibited
- Vaping products, which require a licence and permit to import, with tight limits on who can bring them in
- Tobacco products, which face strict controls, duties and excise
- Some medicines and supplements, which may need approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration
- Goods containing asbestos, which are prohibited
- Counterfeit branded goods, which can be seized
- Objectionable material, such as child abuse material or terrorist content, which is prohibited
- Wildlife products covered by CITES, which need permits
Common export controls
- Military and dual-use goods, which need approval from Defence Export Controls
- Protected cultural heritage objects
- Native wildlife and some wildlife products
- Many food and agricultural products, which need export permits and certificates
Our beginner's guide to Australian customs for air freight imports explains how declarations and permits fit into clearance. For exports, see our guide to the step-by-step export process from Sydney.
Layer 3: Biosecurity
Biosecurity rules protect Australia's agriculture, native plants and animals from pests and disease. For international imports, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sets the conditions. Items that are commonly restricted include:
- Seeds, bulbs, cuttings and live plants
- Soil and anything contaminated with it
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Meat, dairy, eggs and many processed foods
- Untreated timber and wooden articles
- Used equipment that may carry soil or insects
- Animal products, such as feathers, skins and bones
Use the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) to check what applies to your product before you order it.
Interstate biosecurity
Biosecurity also applies within Australia. States and territories set rules on moving certain plants, fruit, soil and animals across their borders. Freight from NSW to Western Australia and Tasmania faces some of the strictest controls, and some fruit and plant material cannot be sent there without inspection or certification. Check the destination state's requirements before shipping domestically.
Layer 4: NSW state laws
Some items are legal to import or transport but controlled by NSW law once they are in the state. Examples include:
- Prohibited weapons, such as knuckle dusters, flick knives, pepper spray and many types of stun device, which require a permit or are banned in NSW
- Firearms and ammunition, which require licences and must be transported according to state rules
- Fireworks, which are tightly controlled and generally require licences
- Certain fish, shellfish and marine species, which fall under NSW fisheries rules
Receiving or possessing these items without the right authority can be an offence, even if the item passed through customs.
Layer 5: Destination country and airline rules
For exports, the destination country's rules also apply. Some countries ban products that are legal in Australia, such as certain foods, medicines, e-cigarettes or publications. Airlines can also apply their own embargoes on specific goods, routes or aircraft types. Your forwarder can tell you if an airline has restrictions on your cargo.
Everyday items that often cause problems
| Item | Why it can be a problem |
|---|---|
| Power banks and spare batteries | Dangerous goods rules, often cargo aircraft only |
| Perfume and nail polish | Flammable liquids under aviation rules |
| Aerosols such as deodorant or spray paint | Compressed gas and possibly flammable |
| Vapes and e-liquids | Import licence and permit required |
| Pepper spray | Prohibited weapon in NSW without authority |
| Seeds and dried plant material | Biosecurity restrictions |
| Supplements and medicines | May need therapeutic goods approval |
| Wooden crafts and pallets | Biosecurity treatment may be needed |
| Replica or toy guns | May be treated as firearms or weapons |
What happens if you ship something you shouldn't?
Consequences depend on the item and the rules broken. They can include:
- The shipment being rejected by the airline or terminal
- Goods being held, treated, exported back or destroyed at your cost
- Storage charges while the matter is resolved
- Fines, infringement notices or prosecution
- Loss of trading privileges with carriers
How to check before you ship
- Identify the product precisely, including materials, ingredients and any batteries.
- Check the Safety Data Sheet for dangerous goods classification.
- Search BICON for biosecurity conditions.
- Check the ABF's list of prohibited and restricted goods for import and export.
- Check NSW laws for weapons, firearms and fireworks.
- Ask your forwarder about airline and destination country restrictions.
- Apply for permits early, as approvals can take weeks.
Special care for online shoppers and small businesses
Many problems with restricted items come from online orders. Overseas websites may happily sell products that cannot legally be imported into Australia or possessed in NSW, such as certain knives, stun devices, vaping products or unapproved supplements. The seller shipping an item does not make it legal to import.
Small businesses that buy stock from overseas marketplaces should check product rules before ordering, not after the goods arrive. It is also wise to ask suppliers for Safety Data Sheets for any chemical, cosmetic or battery-powered product, so dangerous goods requirements can be identified early.
Where to find reliable information
- Australian Border Force: lists of prohibited and restricted imports and exports
- BICON: biosecurity import conditions for specific products
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority: guidance on dangerous goods by air
- Therapeutic Goods Administration: rules for medicines, supplements and medical devices
- NSW Police: information on prohibited weapons and firearms permits
- Destination state agencies: interstate biosecurity rules for domestic shipments
When the rules are unclear, a licensed customs broker or an experienced forwarder can help interpret them for your specific product.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a power bank by air freight?
Power banks are lithium batteries shipped on their own, which are heavily restricted. They usually need full dangerous goods preparation and may only travel on cargo aircraft. Many courier services will not accept them at all.
Are the rules different for personal effects?
Personal effects and household goods sent as unaccompanied baggage still need to meet biosecurity and dangerous goods rules. Items such as aerosols, gas bottles and garden equipment with soil are common problems.
Can I send food overseas from Sydney?
Often yes, but many foods need export permits, and the destination country may have strict import rules. Check both before shipping.
Can I import a replica sword or knife?
Some bladed items are controlled at the border and under NSW law. Check with the ABF and NSW Police before ordering.
Keeping a simple internal register of products you import or export, with notes on their classification, permits and any dangerous goods status, saves time on every future shipment. It also helps new staff understand which items need extra care and reduces the risk of a costly mistake during busy periods.
Know before you ship
Prohibited and restricted items are a common reason for air freight delays in Sydney, but most problems can be avoided with a few checks before you order or pack. For more on moving cargo through the city's airports, visit our main Air Freight Sydney guide.