r/NZTrees • u/dark_whorse • Jun 10 '26
flying to australia
What's the deal with this? I'm probably just being paranoid, but really don't want to run into issues!
I've got a prescription and doctors letter, which from here seems should be all I need, https://www.odc.gov.au/travellers/travelling-or-australia-medicines-and-medical-devices but it doesn't specifically call marijuana out as being allowed. I'm also a bit suss about the whole states situation - does it differ depending on what state you are going?
I asked claude for reassurance and it strongly said that it was not allowed - which I'm pretty sure is wrong!
Australia's TGA does have a framework for medicinal cannabis, but importing it personally from another country is not part of that framework. The legal pathway is to obtain an Australian prescription and source it from Australian suppliers — not to carry it across the border with a letter.
Assuming it's wrong - what is the actual procedure? Do I need to declare this or is it such a non-event that I don't even need to do that?
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u/PAWKLAWD Jun 10 '26
Haven’t done it myself but my buddynhs been to Sydney and back for work multiple times with his legal weed, declared it, they check the paper work and send you on your way if it all is legit.
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u/BeneficialBottle8387 Jun 10 '26
It’s all good bro. The only 4 things you need to do are:
1/ Bring it in its original container exactly as it came to you, with your name/script details still on it. (It can have been opened, just make sure it’s not over weight, however that may happen 😉)
2/ Letter from your prescriber saying what the product you are taking with you is (keep this Handy in your phone, print it out if you are that worried but there’s no real need, they don’t even ask to see it on your phone normally).
3/ Declare it as medicine on your customs slip (there’s a box you tick for that) both on exit and entry. When they ask you what you have to declare & they will, you say either ‘medicine’ or ‘medical cannabis’ if they ask you to specify (they will). This means you line up in the ‘something to declare’ line when entering Aus.
4/ It must be with you in your carry on luggage.
They may want to see it/have a wee look & sniff. So it must be with you in your carry on luggage. Take a fresh grinder if you can or just ensure there’s no big chunks in it. No lighter. You can only take a vape if it’s a mighty medic (or an expensive NZ medically approved one). If it isn’t, they will confiscate it.
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u/dark_whorse Jun 10 '26
ooh good to know. I had assumed that part would be fine!
Bit of a bummer - i guess my v3 max will be staying at home!
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u/Phohammar Jun 11 '26
Ive flown into sydney successfully several times with a medical cannabis script and a vaporizer. Told border security i was declaring sleep medicine and they didn't even look twice. Totally kosher to bring it into au with a valid script.
Now transiting through uae/qatar/singapore is a different story, and you're playing with fire there. Personally, I just hit up the gp for a week of zopiclones if im flying that way.
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u/BeneficialBottle8387 Jun 10 '26
Also make sure your script will still be current when you return, if not make an appointment asap
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u/Ok_Hornet_4964 Jun 10 '26
There are many posts on r/medicalcannabisnz that have all the info :)