Frequently asked questions - personal importation
Access to unapproved therapeutic goods
Personal Importation occurs when
- an individual either brings a therapeutic good into Australia on their person or arranges from within Australia for a therapeutic good to be sent to them from an overseas supplier; and
- the goods are to be used by that individual or a member of his/her immediate family and are not sold or supplied to any other person.
How much product am I allowed to import?
A person can import 3 months supply per importation and the total quantity per year cannot exceed 15 months supply at the manufacturer's recommended maximum dosage.
Can I import any products I like?
No. The following products can not be imported under personal importation:
- Substances that are prohibited imports under the Customs legislation.
- Products which are injections.
- Products which contain material of biological origins
- Products that contain substances derived from endangered species.
For all these products import permits are required. Further information may be needed for the requirements for import permits. See below.
I wish to bring a product into Australia for commercial supply. Can I do this under the personal importation?
No. Personal importation is a mechanism by which individual can import products for their own use of that of their immediate family. Therapeutic goods intended for commercial supply in Australia are required to undergo an evaluation for quality safety and efficacy prior to being allowed on the market. The various mechanisms for supply of unapproved products are intended to be temporary measures for supply, pending general marketing approval of the product. Unfettered access to unapproved products amounts to de-facto marketing and would remove any incentive for a sponsor to seek marketing approval for their products.
In keeping with its overall charter, the TGA has a responsibility to encourage at all times the availability of approved (evaluated) products.
Can a local company who sells the product overseas to import the product for me?
No. Personal importation means the product is imported by an individual and not by a commercial company.
The local company however may advise you on how to obtain the product. They can advise which countries the product is sold in and also advise if the product is a prescription product overseas or an OTC product. This will affect how you obtain the product - from the company directly, from a pharmacy or whether you need a prescription from a doctor in the country you are importing from.
How do I find out which products are prohibited under the Customs legislation?