Posted By admin on March 31, 2011

Souvenir From Egypt

Can sand be brought back from Egypt as a souvenir?

Next month 3 of my friends and I are touring Egypt. Two of them really want to bring sand from Egypt to Australia. It sounds illegal to me but I can't find anything about it on quarantine websites. Sand isn't biologic, so it doesn't pose the same problems that soil does but I really have no idea.

I know in Jordan, they sell bottles of decorative sand and you could take your own container (if it were legal) but I don't want people I'm traveling with to be doing anything illegal.
So, back to the question, is it illegal to bring say a handful (probably less) of sand (no soil) from the Egyptian desert to Australia?
Thanks everyone, they will declare it, so it shouldn't be a hassle. =)

G. #2 :
1. Yes, there is sand in Australia, we have a desert and beaches. I guess they just want Egyptian sand, which is different from Australian sand.
2. Thanks
3. Well, they are obsessed with the transfer of biological material and various other things. Better to be safe than sorry.

haha... I agree with ESD, you'll want to be careful now!

It is legal. Only corals, shells, sea creatures and anything from natural preserves is illegal. Also they make these awesome custom-made sand art bottles, you can have your name inscribed or --- <3 --- or whatever you want really. Sort of like this http://www.dargate.com/cat/240_auction/240_images/2618.jpg but less elaborate (but more colourful if you like). I got them for a couple of my friends and they were thrilled!! If you go to Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh have an Egyptian friend or a tour guide work out a deal for you.

Edit- I found a better pic with the actual drawings they do (but you could still add a name or a small phrase) http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11818460/Colorful_Sand_Bottle.jpg

Category: Antiques
Tags: best souvenir from egypt, souvenir from egypt