Christmas Island customs
Apply for visa
Free import
• Travelers arriving from overseas go through normal Australian customs and immigration procedures. Flights from the Australian mainland also go through customs and immigration clearance: no passport or visa is needed, but every passenger (including children) must show photo ID; a passport is preferred.
• Australian customs duty does not apply on Christmas Island, so no customs duty is charged on goods travelers bring in, including tobacco products, whatever the quantity. Travelers need no permit to bring in tobacco. Duty-free purchases may be made for travel to and from the island.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of money you may bring in, but cash and bearer negotiable instruments (such as traveller's cheques, cheques and money orders) with a combined value of AUD 10,000 or more (or the foreign currency equivalent) must be reported to the Australian Border Force when you arrive from another country. Failing to report is an offence.
Prohibited
• Illegal drugs
• Child abuse material and other objectionable publications, films and games
• Automatic knives (flick knives, switchblades), butterfly knives, concealed blades, knuckle-dusters, extendable batons, pepper spray and hand-held electric shock devices such as Tasers and stun guns, unless an import permit is held
• Tobacco products sent by post
• Cats and dogs: their importation into Christmas Island is banned, including from the Australian mainland. The Administrator of the Territory may approve an assistance dog; apply in writing to the Administrator, PO Box 868, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean WA 6798.
Restricted
• Christmas Island has its own biosecurity controls, separate from mainland Australia, to protect its unique wildlife. Goods brought in, including from the mainland, must meet the Christmas Island biosecurity import conditions: some products are prohibited on the island and others must be treated before release. Declare all food, plant material and animal products; fresh produce is inspected by a biosecurity officer on arrival. Goods not covered by the standard conditions need an import permit, granted before they leave the mainland.
• Fresh capsicum, chillies, tomatoes, eggplant, cape gooseberry, pepino, tamarillo and tomatillo bought in Western Australia may be brought only if commercially produced and bought from a retail store (keep the receipt) or fumigated, and packed in a fully enclosed bag or container. Produce from backyard gardens or farmers' markets is not allowed.
• Prescription medicines: carry them in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor, and declare them. Some medicines containing controlled substances need a permit from the Office of Drug Control.
• Firearms, ammunition and imitation (replica) firearms need import permission and police confirmation. Declare all weapons.
• Wildlife products, including souvenirs made from endangered (CITES-listed) species, need a permit and are seized without one.
• Travelers arriving from overseas go through normal Australian customs and immigration procedures. Flights from the Australian mainland also go through customs and immigration clearance: no passport or visa is needed, but every passenger (including children) must show photo ID; a passport is preferred.
• Australian customs duty does not apply on Christmas Island, so no customs duty is charged on goods travelers bring in, including tobacco products, whatever the quantity. Travelers need no permit to bring in tobacco. Duty-free purchases may be made for travel to and from the island.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of money you may bring in, but cash and bearer negotiable instruments (such as traveller's cheques, cheques and money orders) with a combined value of AUD 10,000 or more (or the foreign currency equivalent) must be reported to the Australian Border Force when you arrive from another country. Failing to report is an offence.
Prohibited
• Illegal drugs
• Child abuse material and other objectionable publications, films and games
• Automatic knives (flick knives, switchblades), butterfly knives, concealed blades, knuckle-dusters, extendable batons, pepper spray and hand-held electric shock devices such as Tasers and stun guns, unless an import permit is held
• Tobacco products sent by post
• Cats and dogs: their importation into Christmas Island is banned, including from the Australian mainland. The Administrator of the Territory may approve an assistance dog; apply in writing to the Administrator, PO Box 868, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean WA 6798.
Restricted
• Christmas Island has its own biosecurity controls, separate from mainland Australia, to protect its unique wildlife. Goods brought in, including from the mainland, must meet the Christmas Island biosecurity import conditions: some products are prohibited on the island and others must be treated before release. Declare all food, plant material and animal products; fresh produce is inspected by a biosecurity officer on arrival. Goods not covered by the standard conditions need an import permit, granted before they leave the mainland.
• Fresh capsicum, chillies, tomatoes, eggplant, cape gooseberry, pepino, tamarillo and tomatillo bought in Western Australia may be brought only if commercially produced and bought from a retail store (keep the receipt) or fumigated, and packed in a fully enclosed bag or container. Produce from backyard gardens or farmers' markets is not allowed.
• Prescription medicines: carry them in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor, and declare them. Some medicines containing controlled substances need a permit from the Office of Drug Control.
• Firearms, ammunition and imitation (replica) firearms need import permission and police confirmation. Declare all weapons.
• Wildlife products, including souvenirs made from endangered (CITES-listed) species, need a permit and are seized without one.