What are the rules around importing food products for personal use?

In Plain English

If you're bringing food into Australia for your own personal use, there are some rules you need to follow, according to the Imported Food Control Act 1992. Generally, this Act applies to all food imported into Australia. However, there are exceptions for food imported for private consumption.

Specifically:

• Liquids: If the food is in liquid form, you can bring in less than 1 liter.
• Solids: If the food is not in liquid form, you can bring in less than 1 kilogram.
• Prohibited Plants and Fungi: You cannot bring in any amount of prohibited plants and fungi.

Detailed Explanation

The Imported Food Control Act 1992 aims to regulate food imported into Australia to ensure it meets applicable standards. However, section 7 of the Act provides some exceptions for food imported for private consumption.

According to subsection 7(2) of the Imported Food Control Act 1992:

• For food in liquid form, the Act does not apply if the volume is less than 1 liter. This is based on the Imported Food Control Regulations 2019, section 7, which prescribes 1 liter as the volume for liquids.
• For food not in liquid form, the Act does not apply if the weight is less than 1 kilogram. Again, this is based on the Imported Food Control Regulations 2019, section 7.
• For prohibited plants and fungi, the Imported Food Control Regulations 2019, section 7 prescribes a net weight of 0 kilograms, effectively prohibiting their importation for private consumption. "Prohibited plants and fungi" are specified in Schedule 23 to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, as in force at the commencement of this instrument, according to the Imported Food Control Regulations 2019.