Human ashes
From a human biosecurity perspective there are no restrictions or requirements for importing cremated human remains. No import permit, death certificate or cremation certificate is required.
But if the ashes are mixed with a biosecurity risk material, such as soil, then requirements may apply. Contact the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry before your arrival.
The container (urn) carrying the ashes must also be free from biosecurity risk material, such as soil, plant material or insects.
If it contains a biosecurity risk material or the container is made from wood, you must declare it on the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) when you arrive into Australia for a biosecurity official inspection.
It’s best to avoid using a wood container and instead use ceramic, iron, zinc, copper, bronze or plastic. These materials are not of biosecurity concern, and you will not have to declare them.
Also contact the airline or postal company you use to check for any restrictions they may have on ashes.
Read more about bringing human ashes into Australia.
Importing a deceased human fetus
A deceased human fetus is categorised as human remains. Follow the following importation requirements.
Human remains for burial or cremation
You can import human remains into Australia for burial or cremation. Some requirements apply.
You must work with a funeral director or customs broker to help you with the process.
An official document must accompany the human remains. This can be either:
- a copy of an official certificate that states the cause of death
- an extract from an entry in an official register that states the cause of death
- a copy of an official embalming certificate (if this applies)
- a certificate from a medical practitioner that states either
- the body or body part has (or had before death) signs or symptoms of a listed human diseases and the name of that disease
- the body or body part does not have (or did not have before death) signs or symptoms of a listed human disease.
If the document is not in English, you must also provide a certified translated copy.
Read more about the import process.
If you cannot provide an official document, request permission from our human biosecurity officers to bring the remains into Australia.
Human remains for teaching, scientific or research purposes
To bring in human remains for teaching, scientific or research purposes, you must:
- tell the Agriculture office in the city of entry at least 48 hours before the remains arrive
- provide a written declaration at the airport to get clearance
- follow normal import processes – see the commercial acquisitions section on the importing human remains or ashes page.
Written declaration
The declaration must state that the body or body part has been donated for scientific or research purposes. It must also state one of the following:
- You are aware that the body or body part has (or had before death) signs or symptoms of a listed human disease and the name of that disease.
- As far as you are aware, the body or body part does not have (or did not have before death) any signs or symptoms of a listed human disease.
Find out what diseases are listed human diseases.
If you cannot provide a written declaration, request permission from our human biosecurity officers to bring the remains into Australia.
Human remains for other purposes
Some Indigenous human remains may be movable cultural heritage. Find out about importing cultural heritage objects into Australia.
If you are bringing in human remains for other purposes not mentioned above (such as for display or as curios), you must:
- ask for permission from our human biosecurity officers
- tell the Agriculture office in the city of entry at least 48 hours before the remains arrive
- follow normal import processes – see the commercial acquisitions section on the importing human remains or ashes page.
Hair, teeth or bones of a deceased human body
Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, human hair, teeth or bones are not considered human remains for the purposes of importation. They are considered goods.
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries maintains a Biosecurity Import Conditions database which provides the conditions and administrative requirements for importing human hair, teeth or bones.
If the hair, teeth or bones are not clean or have adhering tissue, you must request permission from our human biosecurity officers to bring the remains into Australia, please include all relevant information.
Exporting human remains
From a human biosecurity perspective, there are no documentation requirements or restrictions for exporting human remains out of Australia.
Other countries may require letters for export or nil infectious disease letters to import human remains.
If you need one, contact the state or territory health department where the death occurred.
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