Cleaning outdoor gear for Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand both check shipped belongings for biosecurity risks, and outdoor gear is near the top of their lists. A clean, dry item is usually checked and released. A dirty one can be held, treated, destroyed or sent back, and the cost of that falls on you. An afternoon with a brush and a hose before you pack is far cheaper than a treatment bill on the other side.

This guide explains what inspectors look for, then gives a step-by-step clean for boots, tents, bikes, golf clubs, fishing gear and camping kit. The official pages it relies on were checked on 3 October 2026.

Why do soil and plant matter cause problems?

Soil, seeds, bits of plant and traces of animal material can carry insects, weeds and diseases that are not present in Australia or New Zealand. A small clump of mud in a boot tread or a few seeds caught in a tent seam is enough to make an item a risk. That is why both countries ask for risk items to be clean before they arrive, rather than cleaning them at the border.

Water matters too. Australia's department of agriculture says equipment that has been in fresh water must be dry on arrival, and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says freshwater fishing gear must be clean and dry.

What the official lists include

Both countries publish lists of items they treat as a biosecurity concern. These are the outdoor items from each, checked on 3 October 2026 on the Australian department of agriculture's personal effects page and MPI's page on declaring items in New Zealand (last reviewed 13 July 2026).

If an item is on either list, assume it will be looked at. Clean it as if an inspector will turn it over, because one may.

How to clean each item

Boots and shoes

1. Knock off dried mud outdoors, then work the tread with a stiff brush and a blunt stick or old skewer.
2. Take out the laces and insoles and wash them separately.
3. Scrub the soles and uppers with warm water and washing-up liquid. Pay attention to the seam where the sole meets the upper, eyelets, hook-and-loop straps and studs.
4. Rinse, then let them dry fully, inside and out.
5. Check again in good light. Any grit or seeds left in the tread mean another round.
6. Bag each pair once clean so they cannot pick anything up in the box.

Tents, poles, pegs and groundsheets

• Pitch or open the tent out on a clean, hard surface. Shake it out and brush the corners, seams and door tracks, where grass seeds collect.
• Sponge the groundsheet and any muddy panels with water and a mild detergent.
• Wash pegs and the ends of the poles. Soil sticks inside hollow pole ends.
• Empty stuff sacks and pockets, and check guy lines for burrs.
• Dry everything completely before packing. A damp tent grows mould in a box, and wet items attract attention.

Bikes

• Wash the tyres, including the tread, and the rims, mudguards, underside of the frame and the pedals.
• Degrease the chain, chainrings and cassette. Oily grime holds soil and seeds.
• Check bottle cages, saddle rails and the space behind the forks.
• Dry it, then pack it. Our guide to sending bikes, golf clubs and skis covers boxing it to keep the size down.

Golf clubs and bags

• Scrub the clubheads and the grooves with warm water and a brush, and wipe the grips.
• Empty every pocket of the bag. Old tees, grass cuttings and sand are common finds.
• Turn the bag upside down, shake it, and vacuum the base and the inside of the tubes.
• Clean the bag's feet and stand. Golf shoes are on Australia's footwear list, so clean them like boots.

Fishing gear, wetsuits and water kit

• Rinse rods, reels, nets and tackle boxes, and wash off any weed or mud.
• Wash wetsuits, waders and buoyancy aids, inside and out.
• Dry everything completely. Felt soles, foam and nets hold water for a long time, so give them longer than you think.
• Australia lists flies made from feathers as a concern, so list them clearly rather than hiding them in a tackle box.

Backpacks, sleeping kit and camping cookware

• Empty every pocket and turn packs inside out. Vacuum seams and hip belt padding.
• Shake out sleeping bags and mats and check for seeds and grass.
• Wash camping pots, plates and cutlery. Leave food out.
• Do not pack camping stoves with fuel or gas canisters. These are dangerous goods. See dangerous goods you cannot send.

Packing cleaned gear so it is easy to inspect

Australia's page says good preparation reduces inspection time and costs. In practice that means making the inspector's job quick:

• Pack risk items together, in one box or near the top of a case, rather than spread through everything you own.
• Number your boxes and match the numbers to your packing list. Australia asks you to record the box numbers of declared risk items, and MPI suggests the same numbering habit.
• Describe items plainly, and say what they are made of where it matters, for example "wooden walking pole" or "cleaned hiking boots, 2 pairs".
• Use new boxes. Australia warns against reusing boxes or bags that have held soil, plants or animal material.
• Avoid wooden crates unless they meet the wood packaging rules. MPI's household goods page (last reviewed 13 July 2026) sets out the rules.

Declare risk items. Australia's page warns that failing to declare them on its unaccompanied effects form (B534) can lead to prosecution. Our booking form has a packing list, checked against our prohibited items list, which helps you keep a clear record of what is in each box.

What happens if items are found dirty?

Australia. The department's page says contaminated items may need treatment, or may be destroyed or exported, at your expense.

New Zealand. MPI says items that do not meet its rules can be inspected and returned to you, re-shipped, destroyed at an approved facility, or treated at an approved facility. Some items cannot be treated, and fees apply. MPI also charges for inspecting household goods and personal items by the number of items inspected. These are the figures on its fees and charges page, last reviewed 1 April 2026 and checked on 3 October 2026:

MPI also offers an optional Personal Effects Supplementary Declaration, which it says may lead to lower clearance costs and faster clearance. Biosecurity charges and any treatment are set by the destination country. They are not part of our price.

A cleaning checklist to print

1. List every outdoor item you plan to send.
2. Clean footwear: tread, seams, laces, insoles.
3. Clean and fully dry tents, groundsheets, pegs and poles.
4. Wash and degrease bikes, including tyres and chain.
5. Empty and vacuum golf bags, backpacks and stuff sacks.
6. Rinse and fully dry fishing and water gear.
7. Check everything again in daylight.
8. Pack risk items together in new boxes, numbered.
9. Write them on your packing list with what they are made of.
10. Declare them.

Questions people ask

Can I declare dirty gear and let them deal with it?

You must declare it either way, but declaring does not make it clean. If an item needs treatment, you pay for it and wait for it. MPI notes that some items cannot be treated at all, which can leave destruction or re-shipping as the only options.

Do brand new boots need cleaning?

If they have never been worn outside, there is nothing to clean. Leave them in their box or wrapping so it is obvious to an inspector that they are unused.

Is it worth sending a bike or tent at all?

Sometimes it is not. Bulky, light items are charged by size, not weight, so a bike box can cost far more than its weight suggests. Our guide to size-based weight shows how to work it out, and you can compare that with buying again on arrival.

What to do next

Read the destination guide for your move: sending belongings to Australia or sending belongings to New Zealand. When your gear is clean and packed, measure and weigh each item and see the options for your route on the price page.