Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958

These regulations control what goods can be exported from Australia. They create a permission-based system where most restricted exports require written approval from a Minister or authorised officer before they can leave the country.

Key things the regulations cover:

• Defence and strategic goods — military equipment, weapons, and sensitive technology require Defence Minister approval, with strict criteria including national security risks, human rights concerns, and potential for misuse
• Drugs and precursor chemicals — narcotics, psychotropic substances, and chemicals used to make illegal drugs can only be exported by licensed exporters with specific permissions
• Sanctions and arms embargoes — exports to countries like Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and others are heavily restricted or prohibited, particularly arms and related equipment
• Environmental and health goods — asbestos, mercury, ozone-depleting substances, radioactive materials, and human biological materials are controlled
• Objectionable content — pornography, violent extremist material, and goods promoting terrorism or crime are restricted
• Other controlled items — rough diamonds (Kimberley Process certification required), cat and dog fur, counterfeit credit cards, security-sensitive ammonium nitrate, and liquefied natural gas during domestic supply shortages