You can send jewelry to Australia, but it's restricted and complicated due to customs, duties (GST), potential biosecurity checks (for wooden parts), and carrier policies, often requiring specific insured services like FedEx/UPS, formal declarations, or staying under AUD$1000 to avoid hassle, as postal services like Royal Mail had stricter rules due to ABF (Australian Border Force) crackdowns on bullion and high-value items. It's not an outright ban but a process with significant hurdles, making it difficult for standard mail.
Jewelry is permitted only when sent as an insured parcel using Priority Mail International service.
You generally can't send dangerous goods (explosives, flammable items, aerosols, dry ice), illegal drugs, counterfeit items, certain live animals/plants, fresh food (meat, dairy, fruit, veg), pornography, and large amounts of currency or gift cards to Australia, due to strict biosecurity and customs regulations. Firearms, replicas, and their ammunition are also banned.
You can't send jewellery to Australia. It's the only country with this rule. Even if you find a courier Australian customs will impound the jewellery item and you could find yourself in hot water. Not worth the risk.
Import Duty: Import duty is another 5% of the value of your goods converted to Australian dollars. This duty only applies to articles of jewellery eg; Engagement Ring, Pendants etc, NOT loose Diamonds or gemstones. This duty is waived with Countries that have Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Australia.
Can I import jewellery into Australia? You can import jewellery into Australia either in your personal or business name; the fees and taxes are the same. Some jewellery has compliance issues that need to be met before the goods can depart for Australia.
Australian customs prohibited items include weapons, explosives, illegal drugs, fresh food, plants, seeds, soil, certain animal products, counterfeit goods, and items that pose biosecurity risks.
To import diamonds, jewelry, and other gemstones, you typically need: a customs bond, a formal entry if the value exceeds a certain threshold (usually $2,500), a Kimberley Process Certificate for rough diamonds, proper documentation declaring the items, and may need to pay duties depending on the type of gemstone and ...
Generally, all goods imported into Australia are liable for duties and taxes unless an exemption or concession applies. There are exclusions and restrictions to the use of the concessions. Use these pages to find out more about the cost of importing goods and how it is calculated.
If you're sending valuables, money or jewellery to another country, we recommend that you use one of our international priority services: International Tracked, International Signed or International Tracked and Signed. These services are available with extra compensation cover.
When arriving in Australia, you must declare all food, plant material, and animal products, plus medicines, weapons, and currency over A$10,000, and any goods over your duty-free limit (A$900 for adults), including gifts, on your Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) to avoid fines, as biosecurity risks (pests/diseases) are taken seriously. If in doubt, always declare items like soil, wooden items, and even certain sports equipment, or place them in airport disposal bins before screening.
Internationally Prohibited Items
Carrying prohibited items may cause delays for you and other travelers, but they may also lead to fines and sometimes even arrest. Passengers may transport unloaded firearms in checked baggage if they are transported in a locked, hard-sided container and declared to the airline before traveling.
You generally can't send dangerous goods (explosives, flammable items, aerosols, dry ice), illegal drugs, counterfeit items, certain live animals/plants, fresh food (meat, dairy, fruit, veg), pornography, and large amounts of currency or gift cards to Australia, due to strict biosecurity and customs regulations. Firearms, replicas, and their ammunition are also banned.
Items you may not need to declare
If items meet biosecurity requirements, you do not have to declare your: clothing. footwear. jewellery.
Choose the Right Shipping Option
Numerous carriers offer several secure options for shipping valuable items; two of the safest ways to mail jewelry are FedEx and USPS. USPS offers First Class Mail and Priority Mail services.
All imported goods are screened by the Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Here are 7 of the best ways to do just that—and start taking control of your importing expenses.
To import goods with a value above AUD$1,000, you will need to lodge an Import Declaration about your shipment. There is a processing charge for making an Import Declaration, and you will also be required to pay duties and taxes. The import duty rate is 5% of the FOB (Free on Board) value.
The customs duty on imported jewellery was also cut from 25% to 20% to support Indian jewellers.
Once the property is not declared, Customs will generally seize it at the time. Some days or weeks later, you should receive a notice of seizure letter by U.S. mail.
Both the US and Canada levy duties on imported jewelry, although the rates vary by jewelry type. Duties also apply whether you're importing for personal use or commercial resale.
Restricted means that special licenses or permits are required from a federal agency before the item is allowed to enter the United States. Examples of restricted items include firearms, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, animal by products, and some animals.
Australia's customs laws prevent you from bringing drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms and protected wildlife into Australia. Penalties may apply, so before travelling, check the Australian Government website for information on prohibited goods, item declaration and penalties.
Australia typically charges a 5% import or customs duty of the value of goods when converted to Australian dollars.