Restrictions on bringing fruit and vegetables to South Australia

Plant quarantine restrictions apply throughout Australia when crossing state borders. A national border protection network operates at airports, sea and rail terminals and road entry points. These restrictions apply to fruit, fruiting vegetables, plants, and plant related products.

To help protect fruit-growing regions in South Australia, a Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ) has been established where penalties apply for taking fruit and vegetables into this area. See further information below.

See the Australian Interstate Quarantine Travellers Guide for a list of fruit and vegetables that can and cannot be taken across state borders.

Quarantine roadblocks

You are required to stop at a quarantine roadblock and declare any fruit, vegetables, plants or plant products. A Plant Health Inspector has the power to search your vehicle and seize any prohibited items.

Quarantine roadblocks are located on the:

• Sturt Highway at Yamba between Mildura and Renmark
• Eyre Highway at Ceduna
• Barrier Highway at Oodla Wirra
• Mallee Highway between Murrayville and Pinnaroo.

Quarantine road signs and fruit disposal bins

Highways not serviced by permanent quarantine roadblocks have quarantine road signs and honesty fruit disposal bins. You must dispose of any prohibited fruit, vegetables, plants or plant products at these sites. These roads are subject to random roadblock operations. If you are detected carrying any of these items past these bins you will be fined.

Quarantine road signs and fruit disposal bins are located on the:

• Nelson Highway near Mount Gambier
• Princes Highway near Mount Gambier
• Glenelg Highway near Mount Gambier
• Wimmera Highway near Naracoorte
• Dukes Highway near Bordertown
• Stuart Highway at Marla.
  

South Australian Riverland - Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ)

The map of the South Australia Riverland FFEZ (JPG 133.0 KB ) shows the area where conditions apply for bringing both home-grown and commercially produced fruit and vegetables into the zone.

Only fruit and vegetables (including capsicum, chilli, tomato and eggplant)  purchased within South Australia may be taken in the South Australian portion of the FFEZ (South Australian Riverland) as long as you have a valid shop receipt or plant health certificate to accompany it.

If not, you must dispose of your fruit and vegetables in the fruit disposal bins on highways and roads entering the FFEZ.

If you are found carrying any of these items past these bins you will be fined.

Fruit disposal bins are located on the:

• Karoonda to Loxton Road
• Pinnaroo to Loxton Road
• Sedan to Swan Reach Road
• Sturt Highway near Blanchetown
• Burra to Morgan Road
• Eudunda to Morgan Road
• Mount Pleasant to Walkers Flat Road. 

Further information

For more information about plant quarantine restrictions, contact:

• Plant Health Hotline: Phone 1300 666 010
• Emergency Plant Pest Hotline freecall: 1800 084 881.
  

Travelling within Australia

Plant pests, diseases and weeds can spread from one part of Australia to another through the movement of fruit, vegetables, plants, flowers and soil. Restrictions apply to each state and territory for the movement of these products.

Consult the Australian Interstate Quarantine Travellers Guide to find out which fruit and vegetables can be carried across state borders. It also contains contact details for further information for each state.

Information for people visiting Australia

Quarantine officers screen all flights, passengers, baggage, mail and cargo using x-ray machines, detector dogs, physical inspection, questioning and profiling.

You must declare for inspection all food, fresh fruit and vegetables, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases. If you’re not sure, ask a Quarantine Officer – Declare or beware!

More information about what can and cannot be brought into Australia.