MamaPesa

No, we didn't wash our rug. It is probably 2 meters by 3 meters - way too big. Customs looked at it but didin't pull it out of its tea chest (probably because they knew there was no way they'd get it back in again as it took up the entire box and was bulging everywhere!). We bought it second hand off someone in Deal (by the sea for those who don't know) so it even had sand in it. In fact, a couple of months after unpacking it in Aus, I was stabbed whilst walking on it and discovered a fish hook!

We also shipped lots of camping equipment (tent, walking poles, hiking packs, walking boots etc), ski equipment, some tools and parts (including a fuel pump). Everything was declared, customs did look but we didn't need anything fumigated.

Don't know anything about the visa side of it.

When you get to Aus, go straight to your Dr to start the process of getting prescribed - this took us 6 months despite having evidence from UK aobut condition and the only drugs which controlled PA. Aus Specialist had contact with UK specialist but it still took ages. Enbrel here costs $34.70 for 4 weeks on PBS. Acutal cost to Medical is just over $1700 for 4 according to printed label on the box!

My sheepskin rug got through with no questions. Not sure if they actually looked as I STILL haven't received the boxes but that's another story.....

I have a big woollen rug due to be seen by AQIS on wed (20/6) so hopefully it will be OK - ironically it's made in new zealand from NZ wool, bought in UK, now shipped to Aus!

The wooden masks - I've taken one through airport quarantine before & they checked it thoroughly to see if it had any holes or cracks in the wood; mine didn't so they let me through. Apparently, if it did, they could have fumigated or destroyed.....

Really not sure on shells....