What should you check before buying?
DAFF advises overseas online shoppers to check whether their goods are allowed and which conditions apply. Use its Biosecurity Import Conditions system, BICON, for the actual item. Ask the supplier for accurate materials and composition; a vague accessory or sample label is not enough to resolve an eligibility question.
Which materials and packing details should be disclosed?
List the goods and packaging, and ask specifically about any plant, animal or wood components rather than concealing them in a general description. This is a preparation checklist, not a determination that those materials are prohibited or permitted. Obtain the conditions for the actual shipment before approving supplier packing.
What extra steps might affect the plan?
DAFF explains that some goods are allowed only under conditions or treatment, where available. Ask who arranges any required check, how potential costs are approved and what happens if an item cannot enter. Keep biosecurity work separate from the carrier’s transport estimate; do not interpret a delivery estimate as an assurance of clearance.
What should your Australia quote request contain?
Provide the destination postcode, package count, final dimensions, weight, accurate item description and known material details. State whether this is personal use or business stock. Ask the carrier to identify excluded inspection, treatment or destination services. ABF’s page body was unavailable in this review, so no current tax rule or numeric freight figure is asserted.
| Before requesting a quote | Record or confirm |
|---|---|
| 1 | Item-specific BICON check |
| 2 | Accurate materials and packaging |
| 3 | Potential inspection or treatment responsibility |
| 4 | Postcode, packed data and excluded services |
Frequently asked questions
Is carrier acceptance enough to establish Australian biosecurity eligibility?
No. DAFF says overseas online purchases must satisfy biosecurity conditions. Check the actual materials and goods in BICON before purchasing or arranging dispatch.
Can I ignore the packaging when checking an Australian shipment?
Include packaging and any plant, animal or wood materials in your questions to the provider and biosecurity adviser. Obtain the applicable requirements rather than assuming the product name covers everything.
Sources & editorial notes
- DAFF — online shopping and biosecurity ↗Official search content reviewed on 2026-11-09. Supports checking BICON conditions before buying and allowing for possible treatment or other biosecurity action. No item-specific import permission was established. Source reviewed: 2026-11-09.
- Buying online ↗Official page opened but the body was unavailable to the text reader. Keep as an authoritative destination link; no current tax claim verified.
Content review identifies the source basis, not a guarantee of future availability, authenticity or delivery. Read our editorial policy.
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