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prohibited and restricted exports

The Australian Government controls the export of certain goods from Australia. The controls either take the form of:

an absolute prohibition, which means that you are not allowed to export the goods in any circumstances, or
a restriction, where you need to have written permission in order to export the goods.

The following information broadly outlines what goods are prohibited or restricted, where you can obtain more information about the control and, in the case of restricted goods, the mailing address or e-mail address to use to apply for permission to export.

The Customs Information and Support Centre (CISC) can provide general information about Customs procedures in relation to prohibited and restricted goods. You can contact the CISC by telephone on 1300 363 263 or by e-mail at information@customs.gov.au.

The information about prohibited and restricted goods provided on this website is a guide only. Customs recommends that you exercise care with its use. Customs further recommends that you seek more detailed information to ensure that you will comply with legislative requirements before attempting to export restricted goods.

Afghanistan - embargoed country	Hazardous waste
Asbestos	Human blood and tissue
Biological agents	Liberia - embargoed country
Cat and dog fur products	Ozone depleting substances
Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises)	Pornography and other objectionable material
Chemical compounds	Precursor substances
Credit cards - counterfeit	Prescription medicines
Cultural and heritage goods	Radioactive substances
Defence and strategic goods	Radioactive waste
Diamonds - Kimberley Process	Rwanda - embargoed country
Drugs	Sierra Leone - embargoed country
Endangered animal and plant species - CITES	Suicide devices
Firearms, parts, accessories and ammunition - commercial exports	Toothfish
Firearms, parts, accessories and ammunition - personal firearms	Wine and brandy

Description:	Restricted - permission to export required Arms or materiel including: weapons, ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, and spare parts for such goods. Prohibited - export not allowed under any circumstance Acetic anhydride, where Afghanistan is the intermediate or final destination of the goods.
Permits issued by:	For restricted goods only, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
More information:	More information about United Nations Security Council Resolutions is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Address:	Requests to export restricted goods should be addressed to: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade GPO Box 401 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6261 1111

Description:	Certain biological agents and equipment that could be used in weapons of mass destruction programs. This includes equipments, facilities, technologies, and materials that have a valid civil application, but may be diverted for use in weapon of mass destruction programs.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Defence
More information:	A full listing of controlled agents and equipment is available at the Department of Defence website. Enquiries can be made on telephone 1800 66 10 66 or by e-mail at deco@defence.gov.au
Address:	Applications to export these goods should be addressed to: Defence Export Control Office Department of Defence R1-1-A038, Russell Offices CANBERRA ACT 2600

Description:	The goods covered by this control include raw, tanned or processed furs or pelts, including goods that may contain such fur, that are derived from the cat and dog species listed below. These species are more commonly referred to as domestic cat and dog breeds. Cat fur - means the pelt or hair of an animal of the species Felis catus. Dog fur -means the pelt or hair of an animal of the species Canis familiaris. Cat or dog fur product - means a product or other thing that consists, wholly or partly, of cat fur or dog fur.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Home Affairs
More information:	Customs Information and Support Centre Telephone: 1300 363 263 E-mail: information@customs.gov.au
Address:	Requests for permission to export these goods should be addressed to: National Manager Trade Policy and Regulation Branch Australian Customs Service 5 Constitution Avenue CANBERRA CITY ACT 2600 E-mail: community.protection@customs.gov.au

Description:	Certain chemicals that could be used in WMD programs, including mixtures or finished products that contain equal to or greater than 25% concentration of a controlled chemical. This includes equipments, facilities, technologies, and materials that have a valid civil application, but may be diverted for use in weapon of mass destruction programs.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Defence
More information:	A full listing of controlled chemicals and equipment is available at the Department of Defence website. Enquiries can be made on telephone 1800 66 10 66 or by e-mail at mailto:deco@defence.gov.au
Address:	Applications to export these goods should be addressed to: Defence Export Control Office Department of Defence R1-1-A038, Russell Offices CANBERRA ACT 2600

Description:	Non-genuine credit, debit or charge cards that are made to imitate and pass for genuine cards.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Home Affairs
More information:	National Operations Monitoring Centre Australian Federal Police Telephone: 02 6275 7348 Facsimile: 02 6275 7594 E-mail: NATOMC@afp.gov.au
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: National Manager The Co-ordinator National Operations Monitoring Centre Australian Federal Police GPO Box 401 CANBERRA ACT 2601

Description:	Australian protected objects listed on the National Cultural Heritage Control List. Objects listed as Class A, such as Victoria Cross medals awarded to Australian service personnel, are prohibited exports and cannot be exported under any circumstances. Objects listed as Class B, such as items of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, may be exported if granted a permit under the Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986.
Permits issued by:	Minister for the Environment and Heritage
More information:	More information about the export of 'Australian protected objects' is available from the Department of the Environment and Heritage website. Protection of movable cultural heritage items (575 kb pdf)
Address:	Requests to export Class B goods should be addressed to: Movable Cultural Heritage Unit Department of the Environment and Heritage GPO Box 787 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6274 1810 Facsimile: 02 6274 2731 E-mail: movable.heritage@environment.gov.au

Description:	Importing/Exporting a cetacean, a part of a cetacean or a product derived from a cetacean.
Permits issued by:	Australian Government - The Department of the Environment and Heritage.
More information:	Available at Department of the Environment and Heritage
Address:	Requests to import/export cetaceans should be addressed to: Assistant Secretary Wildlife Conservation Branch Department of the Environment and Heritage Australian Government GPO Box 787 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6274 1111 Facsimile: 02 6274 1666 Email: wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au

Description:	All types of defence and strategic goods, equipment, technologies and materials. For example: explosives, nuclear related items of all kinds, military vehicles, aircraft and ships, sensors and lasers, 'stealth' or armour materials. The controls include equipments, facilities, technologies, and materials that have a valid civil application, but may be diverted for use in weapon of mass destruction programs.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Defence
More information:	A full listing of controlled goods is available at the Department of Defence website. Enquiries can be made on telephone 1800 66 10 66 or by e-mail at deco@defence.gov.au
Address:	Applications to export these goods should be addressed to: Defence Export Control Office Department of Defence R1-1-A038, Russell Offices CANBERRA ACT 2600

Description:	Rough diamonds may only be exported to a country which is participating in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and must be accompanied by an Australian Kimberley Process Certificate.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources
More information:	More information about the Kimberley Process for trade in rough diamonds is available at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources website [use the search function for "diamond export"] and the Kimberley Process Secretariat website.
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Manager - Minerals Development Resources Division Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources GPO Box 9839 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6213 7182 Facsimile: 02 6213 7950

Description:	Narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, including a chemical or compound and a plant or a part of a plant. Exemption Passengers departing on board a ship or aircraft may not need a permit for certain drugs if: the drug is required for their own medical treatment or the treatment of another passenger or animal under their care; AND has been prescribed by a medical practitioner or veterinarian and the original prescription can be presented upon departure; AND the amount of drug/s is supplied in accordance with the prescription. The exemption only applies to passengers and drugs carried in the passenger's accompanied baggage. Any controlled drugs exported by other means, such as through the post or by air cargo, requires a permit.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Health and Ageing
More information:	More information about substances controlled under Customs legislation and licensing and permit requirements is available from The Office of Chemical Safety and Environmental Health website.
Address:	Requests to import these goods should be addressed to: The Office of Chemical Safety and Environmental Health GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601 Telephone: +61 2 6289 2686 Fax: +61 2 6289 2500 E-mail: tmu@health.gov.au

Description:	Includes computer games, computer generated images, films, interactive games and publications that describe, depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime cruelty, violence, terrorist acts or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults.
Permits issued by:	Director Classification Board
More information:	Customs Information and Support Centre Telephone: 1300 363 263 E-mail: information@customs.gov.au
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to the Classification Board at the following address: The Director Classification Board Locked Bag 3 HAYMARKET NSW 1240 Telephone: 02 9289 7100 Facsimile: 02 9289 7101 Email: enquiries@classification.gov.au Please note that the Classification Board is unable to answer questions about permission to export by telephone. Exporters are required to submit their request in writing either by mail or email.

Description:	Animal and plant species and all products manufactured from species (including some medicinal products) listed in the appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Examples include black coral, orchids and ivory products. Australian native animals and plants which are described in the List of Exempt Native Specimens.
Permits issued by:	Minister for the Environment and Heritage
More information:	More information about CITES and the species covered by the Convention and List of Exempt Native Specimens is available at the Department of the Environment and Heritage website.
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Wildlife Enforcement Unit Department of the Environment and Heritage GPO Box 787 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6274 1900 Facsimile: 02 6274 1921 E-mail: wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au

Description:	Firearms, including parts, accessories and ammunition, regardless of type or calibre. Accessories include telescopic sights, magazines, cleaning equipment and the like.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Defence
More information:	More information about the export of firearms and related goods is available at the Department of Defence website. Enquiries can be made on telephone 1800 66 10 66 or by e-mail at deco@defence.gov.au
Address:	Applications to export these goods should be addressed to: Defence Export Control Office Department of Defence R1-1-A038, Russell Offices CANBERRA ACT 2600

Description:	Limited quantities of certain personal firearms, including parts, accessories and ammunition. Accessories include telescopic sights, magazines, cleaning equipment and the like.
Permits issued by:	Delegates of the Minister for Defence
More information:	More information about the export of limited quantities of certain firearms and related goods is available at the Department of Defence website. Enquiries can be made with the Department of Defence by telephone on 1800 66 10 66 or by e-mail deco@defence.gov.au, or with Customs on telephone (02) 6275 8040 or by e-mail at weaponspolicy@customs.gov.au.
Address:	Applications to export these goods can be made at any Customs Office.

Description:	Waste that is explosive, flammable, poisonous, toxic, exotoxic or infectious substances, clinical wastes, waste oils, waste residue from manufacture or household waste as defined by the Basel Convention.
Permits issued by:	Minister for the Environment and Heritage
More information:	An Australian Guide to Exporting and Importing Hazardous Wastes: Applying for a Permit is available at the Department of the Environment and Heritage website.
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Hazardous Waste Section Department of the Environment and Heritage GPO Box 787 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6274 1411 Facsimile: 02 6274 1164 Email: hwa@environment.gov.au

Description:	Human blood, organs, tissue and substance derived from human blood Note: Human remains do not require a permit for export
Permits issued by:	Secretary to the Department of Health and Ageing
More information:	More information about substances controlled under Customs legislation and licensing and permit requirements is available from the Therapeutic Goods Administration website.
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Therapeutic Goods Administration GPO Box 100 WODEN ACT 2606 Telephone: 1800 020 653 E-mail: tga-information-officer@health.gov.au

Description:	Military equipment of all kinds where Liberia is the intermediate or final destination of the goods.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
More information:	More information about United Nations Security Council Resolutions is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Address:	Requests to export should be addressed to: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade GPO Box 401 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Phone: 02 6261 1111

Description:	Chemicals including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); halons carbon tetrachloride; methyl chloroform; hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs); hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), bromochloromethane (BCMs), methyl bromide. NOTE: There is an absolute prohibition on the export of hydrbromfluorocarbons (HBFCs).
Permits issued by:	Licences to export are issued by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.
More information:	More information about Australia's ozone protection requirements is available at the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website.
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Environment Protection Section Department of the Environment and Heritage GPO Box 787 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6274 1603 Facsimile: 02 6274 1610 E-mail: ozone@environment.gov.au

Description:	Precursor substances as listed in the regulations. Precursors can be converted in to other substances that have the potential to be abused and are therefore a public health concern.
Permits issued by:	Secretary to the Department of Health
More information:	More information about substances controlled under Customs legislation and licensing and permit requirements is available from the Therapeutic Goods Administration website.
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Therapeutic Goods Administration GPO Box 100 WODEN ACT 2606 Telephone: 1800 020 653 Email: tga-information-officer@health.gov.au

Description:	Uranium, thorium and fissionable materials including plutonium
Permits issued by:	Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources
More information:	More information is available from: Uranium Section Resources Division Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources GPO Box 9839 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6213 7814 E-mail: uranium@industry.gov.au
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Uranium Section Resources Division Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources GPO Box 9839 CANBERRA ACT 2601

Description:	Export of radioactive waste to Pacific Island Developing Countries
Permits issued by:	Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources
More information:	More information is available from: Uranium Section Resources Division Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources GPO Box 9839 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 62136000 E-mail: uranium@industry.gov.au
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Uranium Section Resources Division Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources GPO Box 9839 CANBERRA ACT 2601

prohibited and restricted exports

Afghanistan - embargoed country

Asbestos

Biological agents

Cat and dog fur (restricted export)

Certain chemical compounds

Credit cards - counterfeit

Cultural and heritage goods

Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises)

Defence and strategic goods

Diamonds - Kimberley Process

Drugs

Endangered animal and plant species - CITES

Firearms, parts, accessories and ammunition

Firearms, parts, accessories and ammunition

Hazardous waste

Human blood and tissue

Liberia - embargoed country

Ozone depleting substances

Pornography and other objectionable material

Precursor substances

Prescription medicines

Radioactive substances

Radioactive waste

Rwanda - embargoed country

Sierra Leone - embargoed country

Suicide devices (prohibited export)

Toothfish

Wine and brandy

Description:	Military equipment of all kinds where the Rwandan Government forces are not the final receiver of the goods. Paramilitary equipment such as, but limited to, batons; body armour; restraining devices; riot protection shields and whips where Rwanda is the intermediate or final destination of the goods.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
More information:	More information about United Nations Security Council Resolutions is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Address:	Requests to export should be addressed to: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade GPO Box 401 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6261 1111

Description:	Paramilitary equipment such as, but limited to, batons; body armour; restraining devices; riot protection shields and whips where Sierra Leone is the intermediate or final destination of the goods.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
More information:	More information about United Nations Security Council Resolutions is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Address:	Requests to export should be addressed to: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade GPO Box 401 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6261 1111

Description:	Antarctic Toothfish and Patagonian Toothfish found in sub-Antarctic waters, including waters around Australia's external territory of Heard and McDonald Islands. Applies to all fish and fish parts of this species whether fresh, frozen, smoked, preserved in airtight containers or in any other form.
Permits issued by:	Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation
More information:	More information about restrictions on the export of toothfish is available at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Australian Fisheries Management Authority PO Box 7051 Canberra Business Centre CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6272 5698 Facsimile: 02 6272 5784

Description:	Bulk consignments of wine, brandy, grape spirit and wine derived products over 100 litres.
Permits issued by:	Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
More information:	More information about exporting wine and brandy products is available from the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation website.
Address:	Requests to export these goods should be addressed to: Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation PO Box 2733 Kent Town Business Centre KENT TOWN SA 5071 Telephone: 08 8228 2050 Facsimile: 08 8228 2066 E-mail: awbc@awbc.com.au