How to apply for a permit to import kava for food use
Learn how to apply for a permit to import kava for food use using ODC Business Services, including eligibility and application requirements.
The importation of kava for food use is regulated under Regulation 5F of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. To import kava commercially, you must obtain a permit from the Narcotics Control Section (NCS) before the goods arrive in Australia. A separate permit is required for each consignment.
Import permits cannot be issued retrospectively. If kava is imported without a valid permit, the goods may be detained or seized by the Australian Border Force.
This permit process applies to commercial imports only. For the purposes of the permit scheme, a commercial quantity is 20 kg or more of kava.
Individuals aged 18 years or over may bring up to 4 kg of kava into Australia in their accompanied baggage for personal use, subject to applicable border and biosecurity requirements.
Before you import kava
To import kava successfully, you must comply with all of the following requirements:
- Obtain a permit issued by the Narcotics Control Section under Regulation 5F of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
- Meet Australian Border Force clearance requirements, including making any required import declarations under the Customs Act 1901.
- Comply with all applicable biosecurity requirements.
- Comply with the Imported Food Control Act 1992 and relevant food standards.
Important: Holding an NCS import permit does not guarantee that a consignment will be allowed into Australia. Kava must also meet all applicable biosecurity and food safety requirements before it can be released at the border.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible to import kava for commercial sale, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You must import kava for the purpose of selling it as part of a business.
- Your business must be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- Your business must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- You must comply with any applicable state or territory requirements relating to the sale or supply of kava.
- The kava being imported must be one of the following:
- a beverage prepared by mixing kava powder with cold water only, without the use of organic solvents, or
- kava powder.
Important: Only kava in the approved forms above is eligible for import under this permit pathway.
Australian Border Force clearance requirements
All goods imported into Australia must meet Australian Border Force (ABF) import clearance requirements. Importers should refer to the ABF website for information about import declarations and customs clearance requirements.
Kava imported for food use must be imported as air cargo or sea cargo. It cannot be imported:
- through international mail
- in the accompanied baggage of an air or sea traveller.
Biosecurity requirements
Kava (Piper methysticum) may only be imported for food use as:
- kava powder, or
- a kava beverage.
Kava powder
Before arrival in Australia
A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) import permit is not required for kava powder.
Kava powder must:
- be packed in clean, new packaging
- be free from live insects
- be free from biosecurity risk material and other contamination.
On arrival in Australia
The goods must be presented at an approved biosecurity inspection site for examination by a biosecurity officer.
The inspection will verify that the kava powder:
- is packaged in clean, new packaging
- is free from live insects
- is free from biosecurity risk material and other contamination.
If the goods meet all requirements, they may be released from biosecurity control.
If live insects or biosecurity risk material are detected, the goods may require treatment, export or destruction at the importer's expense.
For detailed import conditions, refer to the BICON case for Kava for human consumption.
Kava beverages
Kava beverages must:
- be commercially prepared and packaged
- include a complete list of ingredients
- meet all applicable biosecurity and food safety requirements.
Importers are responsible for ensuring their products comply with all relevant import, biosecurity and food standards requirements before shipment.
Food safety requirements
Importers are responsible for ensuring that imported food is safe and complies with the Imported Food Control Act 1992 and all applicable Australian food standards.
This includes compliance with:
- the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
- the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016
- any specific requirements that apply to kava, including Standard 2.6.3 - Kava.
Imported food consignments may be assessed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to verify compliance with Australian food safety and labelling requirements.
For information about importing kava, including inspection and testing requirements, see the DAFF Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS). Importers should also subscribe to imported food notices to stay informed about changes to imported food requirements.
For guidance on labelling requirements for imported kava, refer to Imported Food Notice 01-22 – Labelling requirements for imported kava.
Additional information
For more information about supplying food in Australia, visit Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
For information about food standards relating to kava, see the Food Standards Variation.
Complete your application
To apply for a permit to import kava for food use, complete the Apply for a permit to import kava to Australia (commercial or food use) form. This guide explains the information required to complete and submit your application.
The table below outlines the information required for each section of the application form.
| Part of application form | What you need to provide |
|---|---|
| 1. Importer information | |
| Importer's name | Provide the full name of the importer. |
| Company name | Provide the name of the company importing the kava. |
| Company address | Provide the physical business address to be shown on the import permit. |
| Postal address | Provide the postal address where the permit should be sent. Permits are sent by standard mail unless an Express Post envelope is supplied with the application. |
| Import establishment ID number | If known, provide your NCS import establishment ID number (for example, KA00001). |
| 2. Exporter information | |
| Overseas exporter's full name | Provide the full name of the overseas exporter. |
| Overseas exporter's address | Provide the physical address of the overseas exporter to be shown on the import permit. |
| Export establishment ID number | If known, provide the overseas exporter's establishment ID number. Businesses that regularly import from the same exporter should include this identifier where available. |
| 3. Kava details – Food use only | |
| Form of kava | Specify the form of kava being imported, such as kava powder. |
| Pack type and size | Provide the pack type and size, for example, 1 kg pack. Only one pack size can be included per application. If you intend to import multiple pack sizes, you must submit a separate application for each pack size. |
| Total number of packs in shipment | Specify the total number of packs in the consignment. For example, enter 100 if importing 100 × 1 kg packs. |
| ABN | Provide the Australian Business Number (ABN) used by your business for the sale of kava. |
| GST registration | Indicate whether your business is registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST). |
| 4. Kava details – Medical and scientific use only | Do not complete this section. |
| 5. Declaration and consent | Read the declaration and consent carefully before signing. The importer must sign the application and provide their contact details. |
Submit your application
Submit your completed application and supporting documents by either email or mail.
Email
NCS@health.gov.au
Mail
Narcotics Control Section
Office of Drug Control
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Processing time
ODC aims to process complete applications within 30 working days of receipt.
Processing may take longer during periods of high demand.
Avoid delays
Ensure all required information and supporting documents are provided before submission. Incomplete or incorrect applications may be returned for amendment, which can delay assessment.
Obligations for permit holders
If your import permit application is approved, you will receive a covering letter and two copies of the permit:
- Original (Importer copy)
Keep this copy for your records. You may provide it to the exporter if it is required by the exporting country. This copy cannot be used to clear goods through the Australian Border Force (ABF). - Triplicate (ABF clearance copy)
This copy is required to clear the goods through the ABF. Do not send this copy overseas. If it is lost, a replacement will not be issued and the goods may not be able to be cleared through customs.
Refer to How to complete a triplicate permit for imported kava for information on completing the triplicate copy.
Your responsibilities
As a permit holder, you must:
- Import no more than the quantity authorised by the permit. You may import less than the approved quantity.
- Import the goods only during the permit validity period.
- Use each permit only once, even if you import less than the approved quantity.
- Complete and return the endorsed triplicate copy to the Office of Drug Control within 14 days of the goods being imported.
- Return any unused or expired permits to the Office of Drug Control within 14 days of expiry.
- Keep records of all sales and supply of kava, including quantities supplied, and provide these records if requested by the Office of Drug Control.
Returning the triplicate copy
Return the completed triplicate copy to:
Email
NCS@health.gov.au
Mail
Narcotics Control Section
Office of Drug Control
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Important: It is the responsibility of the importer to return the completed triplicate copy within 14 days of importation. Failure to comply with this requirement may affect the assessment of future permit applications.