As the festive season is drawing near, the Australian Border Force (ABF) has reminded online shoppers who may be buying overseas to be aware of what they can and cannot import into Australia.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Customs and Trade Policy at ABF, Suzanne Ford said the Force’s officers seize thousands of prohibited goods at the border every year, from counterfeit cosmetics and power tools to imitation firearms, drugs, butterfly knives, karambits, nunchakus, laser pointers and more.
“This holiday season, remember online counterfeit goods can be dangerous to you, your family and your friends,” A/Assistant Secretary Ford said.
“Fake cosmetics with harmful ingredients, electronic accessories and power tools may be received joyously, but that joy could soon fade if those gifts lead to an injury or worse,” she said.
“Believe it or not, some toys purchased online from overseas can be coated with toxic materials such as lead or mercury and are prohibited.”
A/Assistant Secretary Ford said the purpose of tight controls was to ensure that goods imported into Australia were not harmful to the community.
She advised people always to purchase from a reputable site and “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”.
“If we detect a prohibited item, it will be seized at the border, meaning you will simply be wasting your money and we don’t want to see that, especially at this time of year,” A/Assistant Secretary Ford said.
Further information on prohibited goods can be accessed at this PS News link.
