Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
Statutory Rules No. 90, 1956
made under the
Customs Act 1901
Compilation No. 147
Compilation date: 13 July 2026
Includes amendments: F2026L00825
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 13 July 2026 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).
Application, saving and transitional provisions
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Presentational changes
The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
1 Name of Regulations
2 Interpretation
3 Goods the importation of which is prohibited absolutely
3AA Importation of devices and documents relating to suicide
3A Criteria for the purposes of provisions of regulations 4F and 4H relating to defence forces of certain overseas countries.
3C Criteria for the purposes of provisions of regulations 4F and 4H relating to air security officers
3D Criteria for regulations 4F and 4H—transhipment of firearms and weapons etc. to a foreign country
3E Criteria for regulation 4F—importation of firearms and related items used overseas in lawful shooting competitions, or lawful hunting activities
3F Criteria for regulation 4H—Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty
4 Goods the importation of which is prohibited unless conditions or restrictions are complied with
4A Importation of objectionable goods
4AA Importation of plastic explosives
4AB Importation of polychlorinated biphenyls, terphenyls etc
4AC Importation of mercury
4B Importation of fish
4BA Importation of goods specified in Schedule 3A (toothfish)
4C Importation of asbestos
4D Importation of unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco refuse
4DA Importation of tobacco products
4E Importation of glazed ceramic ware
4F Importation of firearms, firearm…
Overview
The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, enacted under the Customs Act 1901, aim to address the problem of preventing the importation of goods that pose a risk to national security, public health, or safety, or that are otherwise deemed undesirable or illegal by Australian law. These regulations are administered by the Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for enforcing Australia's customs laws. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to protect Australia's borders from the entry of goods that could cause harm or contravene national legislation, international obligations, or public policy. This is achieved through a comprehensive list of items that are either absolutely prohibited from importation or are subject to strict conditions and requirements before permission is granted for their importation. The regulations also include provisions to update the list of prohibited items in response to evolving threats and changing legislative priorities, ensuring that Australia's customs regime remains effective and responsive to new challenges.
Scope and Application
The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, as amended, apply to individuals and entities seeking to import goods into Australia. These Regulations are made under the Customs Act 1901 and outline the prohibitions and conditions for importing certain goods. They cover a broad range of goods, including weapons, drugs, hazardous materials, and cultural artifacts. The scope of the Regulations is extensive, encompassing absolute prohibitions, conditional restrictions, and specific criteria for particular categories of goods. Absolute prohibitions apply to items such as certain breeds of dogs, dangerous toys, and counterfeit currency, among others. Other goods, like asbestos, fish, and firearms, are subject to importation only if specific conditions or permissions are met. The geographic reach of these Regulations is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia. Exemptions and permissions are often contingent upon the fulfilment of criteria set by the Minister or an authorised person, such as compliance with safety tests, adherence to international treaties, or approval from relevant government departments. The application of these Regulations can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may introduce additional categories of prohibited or restricted goods, modify existing criteria, or adjust transitional provisions to accommodate legislative changes. These Regulations are designed to protect public health, safety, and national security by controlling the entry of harmful, illegal, or otherwise undesirable goods into Australia.
Key Provisions
- The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, as amended, detail the goods that are either absolutely prohibited from being imported into Australia or are restricted and require written permission from the Minister or an authorised person to be imported. Certain goods, such as certain military equipment, drugs, firearms, weapons, and hazardous substances, are subject to absolute prohibition, while others, like fish, asbestos, and tobacco products, require specific conditions, restrictions, or permissions to be imported. For instance, certain species of fish, asbestos, and tobacco products are listed in Schedule 3 and must meet specific conditions or obtain written permission to be imported. Firearms and certain weapons require stringent tests and permissions, including police certification and various safety and purpose tests, as detailed in Parts 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 6.
- The Regulations impose a series of obligations and requirements on individuals and entities attempting to import these goods. For example, importers must obtain written permission from the Minister or an authorised person before importing restricted items such as fish, asbestos, and tobacco products. For firearms and weapons, specific tests must be passed, and certain identification and safety requirements must be met. The Minister or authorised persons have the discretion to grant or refuse permission based on various criteria, including the intended use of the goods, the qualifications of the importer, and compliance with Australian laws and international treaties. Importers must also comply with any conditions specified in the permission granted.
- Failure to comply with the importation requirements can lead to significant legal consequences. Importing prohibited goods without permission is a strict liability offence under section 50(4) of the Customs Act 1901. The penalties for such offences vary depending on the nature and value of the goods involved. For instance, importing firearms or weapons without the required permissions can result in heavy fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the Minister or an authorised person can revoke any permission granted if the holder fails to comply with the conditions specified in the permission. This revocation can effectively bar future importations and may lead to further legal actions if the breach is severe or repeated. The precise penalties for breaches are not exhaustively listed in the Regulations but are generally aligned with the severity and intent of the violation, with potential criminal and civil penalties being applicable.
- Area of Law
- Customs Law
- International Trade Law
- Instrument
- Regulation
- Concepts
- Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
- Licensing & Registration
- Prohibited Conduct
- Enforcement Powers
