Tasmania has strict import requirements for plants, seeds, flowers and related items. These items have the potential to host harmful pests and diseases that could have a major impact on our environment if they enter our state.
We all have a
general biosecurity duty to protect our primary industries, environment and way of life from harmful pests, weeds and diseases. You can help by disposing of, or declaring restricted items when you arrive in Tasmania.
Plants (nursery stock)
Nursery stock is defined as plants in soil free potting media, bulbs, corms and rhizomes and bare-rooted plants or cuttings (including budwood and scion wood), with or without leaves. This includes household pot plants.
The Checklist for Importing Plants will guide you through what you must do to import plants to Tasmania:
Checklist for importing plants to Tasmania (PDF 174Kb)
Extra tip: Plant tissue culture can only be imported into Tasmania in fully sealed, sterile flasks produced in commercial tissue culture facilities that have been declared to and endorsed by Biosecurity Tasmania, prior to import. Facilities can apply to Biosecurity Tasmania for endorsement of the declaration by completing and submitting the below form:
Declaration of Commercial Tissue Culture Facility (PDF 256Kb)
Flasks or jars of tissue culture lines produced by non-commercial operators (such as home gardeners or private individuals) are not acceptable as tissue culture imports unless they have been issued an individual permit.
In addition to the above, any import of plant tissue culture must also meet Tasmania's general and any other specific import requirements for plants and plant products. The flask must be properly sealed, not damaged, clean and clearly labelled or branded so that the contents and the name and address of the supplier/grower and/or packer are readily identifiable. A NoI (Notice of Intention to Import) is required for tissue culture imports and is subject to inspection on arrival.
Declare the item? Yes, Notice of Intention to Import Plant/Plant Products form should be submitted 24 hours prior to arrival.
Inspection required? Yes
For further questions:
Flowers (cut fresh or dried)
Fresh and dried cut flowers, and ornamental foliage.
Allowed if: Flowers or foliage that are not members of the family Myrtaceae, or other restricted species.
Not permitted entry: Flowers or foliage that are members of the family Myrtaceae, or other restricted species. Fresh flowers and foliage sourced from Western Australia.
Extra tip: The following links contain lists of restricted plant species in Tasmania
Declare the item?
Yes, Notice of Intention to Import Plant/Plant Products form should be submitted 24 hours prior to arrival.
Further information on conditions and restrictions:
Please see Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (PDF 2 Mb)
For commercial import enquiries from WA:
Please contact Biosecurity.Marketaccess@nre.tas.gov.au
For other import enquiries:
Seeds
Seed 1kg or Less:
- Register as a Tasmanian Approved Seed Importer, OR
- Order from a Tasmanian Approved Seed Supplier, AND
- An Analysis from the International Seed Testing Association(ISTA) or the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) approved lab may be submitted but is not required, AND
- Seed must not be from a declared weed, prohibited plant of a restricted seed, AND
- Packets must be labelled with both common and botanical names, AND
- Name and address of the supplier and of the consignee, AND
-
Notice of Intention (DOC 92 Kb) must be submitted 24 hours prior, AND
- Must not be seeds imported for the purposes of research, such imports may require alternative import conditions.
Not permitted entry: Genetically Modified Seeds
Pea, lupin, chick pea and canola have specific import requirements, please see Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (PDF 2 Mb).
Myrtaceae species as they are hosts of Myrtle (Guava) Rust Myrtaceae Genera.
Extra Tip: If you are going to regularly import seeds, registering
as a Tasmanian Approved Seed Importer is suggested.
Declare the item? Yes, Notice of Intention to Import Grain/Seed Form should be submitted 24 hours prior to arrival.
Seed sent via post or freight should be marked for the 'Attention: Biosecurity Tasmania' to be presented for inspection. Please include a copy of the Notice of Intention to Import Grain/Seed Form and a copy of the Seed Analysis (if applicable).
Inspection required? Yes
For further information on conditions and restrictions:
For further information on becoming
a importer:
For further questions about becoming a importer:
For further information on commercially importing pea, lupin, chick pea or canola seeds:
Aquatic plants
The
Tasmanian Biosecurity Compendium list Prohibited plants and Declared weeds (including aquatic plants) that are prohibited in Tasmania. A search of these lists is recommended using both common and scientific names to find and confirm the correct species and its import status.
Extra tip: There are different requirements for aquarium fish.
Declare the item?
Yes, Notice of Intention to Import Plant/Plant Products form should be submitted 24 hours prior to arrival.
For further information on plant import requirements:
Grain
Examples: Barley, corn, lupin, oats, pea, wheat, triticale.
Declare the item? Yes, Notice of Intention to Import Grain/Seed Form should be submitted 24 hours prior to arrival and email to
noi.biosecurity@nre.tas.gov.au
For further information on plant import requirements:
For personal import enquiries:
Timber, wood, firewood
Examples: Timber, wood, firewood, log, timber products, indoor/outdoor furniture.
Allowed if: Bark is removed completely, clean of leaves and leaf litter, soil or other plant material and there are no signs of insect activity.
Not permitted entry: Timber, log, or timber products from Western Australia.
Extra Tip: Bark art and craft works will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes
Further information on conditions and restrictions for timber imports:
For further information on bark art and craft works, and timber products from Western Australia