Rules / Laws that you need to know (TGA, Customs, AQIS ...) Q & A
I want to bring some medicines/dietary supplements/herbal preparations into Australia through the mail from overseas - what restrictions are there?
You may bring a 3 month supply (at the maximum dose recommended by the manufacturer) of unapproved medicines into Australia in any one importation without any approval required by the TGA provided that:
the goods are for the use in the treatment of the importer or their immediate family; and
you do not supply (sell or give) the medicine to any other person; and
the goods do not contain a controlled substance (see: Import & export of controlled substances
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...and-compliance); and
the goods are not injections that contain material of human or animal origin (except insulin); and
the total quantity of the medicine imported within a 12 month period does not exceed 15 months supply of the drug (at the maximum dose recommended by the manufacturer); and
if the goods are in Schedule 4 or 8 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drug and Poisons a prescription from a registered medical practitioner is held for the goods.
http://www.tga.gov.au/ndpsc/susdp.htm
To establish if the goods are subject to the Customs legislation you need to know what are the ingredients in the product. You can then look up the controlled substances which require import licences/permits. Each State and Territory of Australia also has its own Poison and Drugs legislative controls (see: Import & export of controlled substances
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...and-compliance
You should also check these requirements before importing these types of goods. An import permit will not be issued for substances in Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons unless a prescription from a registered doctor in Australia has been submitted to the Treaties and Compliance Section, Office of Chemical Safety, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Can I get more than a 3 month supply at a time?
If you need a larger quantity than specified above, your doctor will need to apply to the Special Access Scheme (02 6232 8111) for an exemption under Section 19 of the Therapeutic Goods Act for the importation of unapproved goods.
3 month supply can be either manufacturer's maximum recommended dosage or you can just sign a statutory declaration yourself saying that it is meant to be used within 3 months
Can I get access to medicines containing controlled substances which are not approved in Australia?
Your Doctor should contact the Special Access Scheme (02 6232 8111) for details on the supply of unapproved medicines in Australia. If an exemption is granted through the Special Access Scheme the Doctor or Pharmacist will then need to request an import licence/permit through the Office of Chemical Safety
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...and-compliance
Does it make any difference if I am bringing medication with me to Australia rather than ordering it through the mail?
The requirements for travelling with medicines containing a controlled substance and ordering them through the mail are NOT the same.
Related information
Import & export of controlled substances
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...and-compliance
General guidance for travellers bringing medicines to and from Australia
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...from-australia
Ordering medicines from overseas for personal use in Australia
Why do some substances require import or export licences/permits to bring them into or out of Australia?
Australia is a signatory to three International Drug Conventions which aim to limit the use of certain drugs and chemicals for medical and scientific purposes. They lay down a code of legislative practice and administration which assists governments to work together to prevent drug abuse and its harmful consequences. Substances included in these Conventions (eg narcotics, psychotropics, precursors) are included in the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations and the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations. Some substances which are not covered by the International Conventions but are of sufficient health concern in Australia to warrant controls are also included in these Regulations (eg anabolic steroids).
Where do I get a request form for an import licence/ permit and how long does it take to process?
Request forms for substances in Schedule 4 or Schedule 8, item 3C (anabolic androgenic steroids) of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations may be obtained from the Office of Chemical Safety
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...and-compliance, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Is there any charge for an import or export licence/permit?
No.
What is the difference between a licence and a permit?
The importation of substances in Schedule 4 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations requires the importer to hold an annual import licence plus an import permit for each separate consignment imported. The importation of substances in Schedule 8 of the Regulations requires only an import permit.
Related information
Import & export of controlled substances
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...and-compliance
Why are some substances available without a prescription overseas but are controlled substances in Australia?
Each country has its own rules and regulations regarding what controls there are on particular substances. Countries, which are signatories to the international drug treaties, will generally have similar requirements for narcotic and psychotropic substances. However, there can be a vast difference in the way in which anabolic/androgenic steroids are regulated.
The substances listed below are not controlled substances in some countries (eg USA) and are widely available in dietary supplement preparations.
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
Norandrostenedione
Ephedra (ma huang)
Ephedrine
However, under the Customs legislation in Australia, these substances are classified as either anabolic steroids or precursors and are prohibited imports unless an import permit has been obtained.
Anyone ordering herbal or dietary supplements from the USA should check that the product does not contain a controlled substance.
Where such preparations are identified by Customs as prohibited imports, the goods will be seized. Import permits cannot be issued retrospectively and the goods may be destroyed by Customs.