Australia takes its borders seriously — more seriously than almost any other country in the world. And for good reason. Its unique ecosystem depends on it. But here's the thing: if you know what to expect and prepare properly, clearing customs is straightforward. At Easy as™, we've done this hundreds of times. This checklist is everything you need to get it right.

The Form You Need to Know: The B534

Before your belongings leave New Zealand, one document sets the tone for your entire customs process — the Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement, known as the B534.

This is your official declaration of everything you're shipping to Australia. It's reviewed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) before your goods are released. It must be submitted at least 7 to 10 days before your shipment arrives in Australia.

At Easy as™, we prepare this with you — so you're never filling it out alone. An incomplete or incorrect B534 can lead to delays, additional inspection fees, or goods being held at the border.

The 12-Month Rule — Your Best Friend

Here's something that saves most of our clients a significant amount of money. If you've owned and used your household goods for more than 12 months before your move, you can import them into Australia duty-free and GST-free.

Your sofa, your dining table, your kids' beds — all of it comes in without customs duty, as long as it meets the 12-month ownership rule. New items, or items bought specifically for the move, are assessed differently and may attract GST and duty.

If you're unsure about anything on your inventory, ask us before you pack it.

What You Must Declare — And Why It Matters

When completing your B534, you must declare any of the following:

  • Food: All food items — dried, packaged, tinned, or fresh. This includes spices, honey, seeds, and herbal products.
  • Medicines and Medical Equipment: Prescription and over-the-counter medicines must be declared. Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor for any prescription medication. Some medicines that are legal in New Zealand may be restricted or require approval in Australia. When in doubt, declare it.
  • Wood and Plant Material: Wooden furniture, carvings, ornaments, picture frames, wicker, bamboo, and any dried flowers or straw.
  • Outdoor and Sports Equipment: Bikes, golf clubs, hiking boots, camping gear, BBQ equipment, and garden tools of any kind. These must also be thoroughly cleaned before shipping.
  • Animal Products: Leather goods, feathers, shells, coral, and hunting trophies.
  • Footwear: Especially shoes used outdoors — soil or plant matter on soles is a common biosecurity flag.

When in doubt, declare it. Failing to declare an item found during inspection can result in penalties under Australian law.

What to Leave Behind

Some items cannot enter Australia under any circumstances:

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Fresh meat and dairy products
  • Live plants
  • Soil of any kind

If any of these are found in your shipment, they will be confiscated and destroyed at your cost. The simplest advice: leave them behind.

What Happens When Your Stuff Arrives

Once your shipment arrives in Australia, DAFF officers assess your B534 and packing list. Based on that review, they decide whether your goods need a physical inspection.

If they do, inspection fees are charged based on the time it takes — billed in half-hour units. Items that fail inspection may be treated, re-exported, or destroyed — all at your expense.

This is why preparation matters. The better your inventory is documented and the cleaner your items are, the faster — and cheaper — the process.

For the most current biosecurity requirements, visit the official DAFF page at agriculture.gov.au.

That's Where We Come In

At Easy as™, customs clearance is part of what we do. We prepare your B534, review your inventory for biosecurity risks before collection day, and coordinate with our Australian partners to manage your clearance end to end.

Your job is to start your new chapter. Ours is to pack your belongings professionally, prepare your paperwork, and make sure everything gets through the border — cleanly, quickly, and without surprises.