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. If, however, the ashes are mixed with a biosecurity risk material, such as soil, then requirements may apply and we recommend you contact the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry prior to arrival.
The container (urn) carrying the ashes must also be free from biosecurity risk material, such as soil, plant material, insects etc. If biosecurity risk material is present and/or the container is made from wood, the container will need to be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) on arrival into Australia and will be inspected by a biosecurity official. The department recommends you avoid using a wood container and use options such as ceramic, iron, zinc, copper, bronze or plastic, as these materials are not of biosecurity concern, and you will not be required to declare these containers on arrival.
We recommend contacting any airline or postal company you may use to check for any restrictions they may have regarding ashes.
To find out more about bringing human ashes into Australia, see human health.
Importing deceased Human Fetus’
A deceased human fetus is categorised as human remains. Please ensure you follow the importation requirements set out below.
Human remains for burial or cremation
You can import human remains into Australia for burial or cremation. They can be a biosecurity risk, so some requirements apply. You are required to engage with and consult a funeral director or a 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
- an 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.
To find out more about the import process, see human health.
If you cannot provide an official document, you will need permission from one of our human biosecurity officers to bring the remains into Australia. To ask for permission or find out more, email our human remains team.
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, you will need permission from one of our human biosecurity officers to bring the remains into Australia. To ask for permission or find out more, email our human remains team.
Human remains for other purposes
Some Indigenous human remains may be movable cultural heritage. Find out about importing cultural heritage objects into Australia on the Arts website.
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 one of 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.
To ask for permission or find out more, email our human remains team.
Hair, teeth or bones of a deceased human body
To bring in the hair, teeth or bones of a deceased human body, they must:
- be clean
- have no tissue, blood or poo on them.
If they do not meet these requirements, you will need the permission of a human biosecurity officer. To ask for permission or find out more, email our human remains team.
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. These letters are managed by State and Territory Health Departments. Should you require one, we recommend contacting the relevant state/territory Health Department where the death occurred.
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