Australia relaxes arrivals duty-free restrictions

Nicole Mezzasalma

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A wider range of duty-free goods is now available to inbound passengers travelling to Australia

The Australian government has changed the country’s customs regulations to allow sales of a wider range of duty-free products to inbound passengers travelling to Australia, who were previously restricted to purchasing alcohol, cigarettes, photographic film and fragrances. The new rules, which came into effect on October 8 2007, aim to boost revenues at arrivals duty-free stores.

Australia’s Minister for Small Business and Tourism Fran Bailey said: “After a long flight to Australia, tourists often enjoy some retail therapy on arrival. These changes will mean tourists will have greater choice in which goods to buy. Tourists are big shoppers. In fact, the economic value of international tourism to Australia increased by A$2.1bn ($1.9bn) to reach A$22.6bn ($20.3bn) over the past 12 months. International tourists are now spending A$2,836 ($2,553) per visitor; that’s an extra A$262 ($236) on average from the previous year.”

Minister for Justice and Customs David Johnston said: “This is good news for all travellers as inbound passengers will now be able to purchase goods up to the value of A$900 ($810) duty-free from Australian airport inwards duty-free stores. This could include handbags, cameras and sunglasses—goods that are no more than A$900 ($810) in value, weigh no more than 7kg and are no more than 56cm in length, 36cm in height and 23cm in depth.”

Previous passenger duty-free concessions remain unchanged, including tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, and any purchases made by passengers at inwards duty-free stores will be included in the existing duty-free allowance.