Importing kava into Australia for use as a food

The importation of kava, for food use, is subject to Regulation 5F of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 - external site (PI Regulations) and is prohibited unless the importer holds a permit issued by the Office of Drug Control (ODC). An import permit is required for each consignment that is imported and is only valid for a 6-month period from the day it is issued.

When applying for permission to import, persons must meet certain conditions.

For kava as food:

• The applicant must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and registered to pay GST.
• Kava formulation needs to be approved by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - external site.
• Applications to import kava for commercial use must be 20kg and above.
• Kava food product must be imported as air or sea cargo.
• Kava food products cannot be imported through the international mail, or on the baggage of an air or sea traveller.

You should not import kava before obtaining a permit from the ODC, or Australian Border Force may seize the goods. Permits cannot be issued after the goods have arrived in Australia.

If a permit is not used within the date specified, you are required to return the permit and triplicate copy of the permit within 14 days of expiry.

Note: Imported kava must also comply with Australia's biosecurity requirements. The forms of kava that are permitted are dried or raw kava root of the Noble variety in the form of kava root chips, kava root powder, or whole kava root and kava beverages (using cold water only). All kava imported as food must be packed in clean and new packaging, and free from biosecurity risk material. Refer to Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) - external site for more information.

Once biosecurity requirements have been met, it is the importer's responsibility to comply with Australian food standards and the Imported Food Control Act 1992 - external site, see Importing food into Australia - external site.

Further Information

• Refer to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Kava webpage - external site for information on kava biosecurity requirements. 
• Refer to the Kava- Import and labelling requirements - external sitefor information on import and labelling requirements from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
• Refer to the Food Standards Variation - external site from Food Standards Australia and New Zealand for more information on kava as a food.

Application form: Permission to import kava

Guidance: Completing the triplicate for a permit to import kava for food use

Guidance: Completing an application for a permit to import kava for food use