Information for importers/exporters of therapeutic products

If you have an enquiry about importing or exporting therapeutic products that is not answered by this website, please see the contact details below.

Prohibited & controlled substances

• Substances controlled under the Customs import/export legislation
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/bringmed/customs.htm>
  Substances controlled under import and export legislation are those which are of sufficient public health concern internationally to warrant restrictions to ensure legitimate use only
• Substances subject to import controls
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/bringmed/apendixa.htm>
  You must obtain a permit from the TGA before you bring into Australia a medicine containing any substance in this list
• Substances subject to import and export controls
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/bringmed/apendixb.htm>
  You must obtain a licence and a permit from the TGA before you bring into or take out of Australia a medicine containing any substance in this list
• Licences and permits for importing/exporting controlled substances
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/bringmed/processing.htm>
  Frequently asked questions about licences and permits, including what to do if Customs have seized your goods
• Prohibited imports - penalties
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/bringmed/prohibited.htm>
  Under the Customs legislation the prohibited importation of certain substances above critical quantities is a criminal offence.
• Importation of kava into Australia
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/import/kava.htm>
  All imports of kava under existing permits that are not for medical or scientific purposes will be detained by the Australian Customs Service from 26 June 2007.
• Importation of khat into Australia
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/import/khat.htm>
  Intending importers must hold both a Licence to Import and a Permit to Import a controlled substance. A separate Permit to Import is required for each shipment of a controlled substance and will not be issued unless a Licence is already held.

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Contact details for enquiries about importing or exporting therapeutic products

If your enquiry is not specifically about importing or exporting therapeutic products, see: Contact the TGA

Enquiries about importing or exporting medicines

• Email: tmu@health.gov.au
• Phone:
  • Australia only: 1800 170 723 (freecall within Australia)
  • Outside Australia: +61 2 6289 3200
• Fax: 02 6160 3299
• Post: Office of Chemical Safety, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

Enquiries about importing or exporting medical devices

• Email: cab.medical.device.information@tga.gov.au
• Phone:
  • 1800 141 144 (freecall within Australia)
  • Users who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can call through the National Relay Service:
    • TTY or computer with modem users phone 1800 555 677 then ask for 1800 020 653
    • Speak and listen (speech to speech relay) users phone 1800 555 727 then ask for 1800 020 653
• Fax: 02 6232 8785
• Post: Office of Devices, Blood & Tissues, PO Box 100, Woden ACT 2606, Australia

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