Before exploring Bali's rice fields, dipping your toes in the sands of its beaches or tasting its delicious cuisine at local warungs, you'll first need to get through customs at the airport. Don't worry though, it can be a breeze as long as you're coming prepared, know all the rules and have everything sorted with your Indonesian visa on arrival.

Upon landing in Bali, or at any Indonesian airport, you'll need to fill in a customs form. They're digital now and can be filled out on your phone or tablet after scanning a QR code. Or, if you really want to fly through immigration, you can do it up to three days in advance.

Simply, it is a form telling customs officers what you're bringing into the country, including any substances that are only allowed to be brought in limited qualities (such as liquor or tobacco).

Most countries require travellers to fill our these forms declaring what they have in their baggage.

Laws are a bid different from country to country, and this prevents anything illegal from bring brought into Bali or the rest of Indonesia.

The declaration process is more straightforward than you think. Electronic Bali customs declarations are now available to help travellers comply with the rules.

You'll be able to bring in all the necessities for your trip to Bali, which is especially ideal if you're picky about any brands you use for toiletries or other personal goods. However, there are a few restrictions that it pays to be aware of so you don't have anything taken away from you at customs.

All basic personal belongings are permitted. Feel free to pack your favourite clothes and toiletries,. Declaring these items is unnecessary if they are for personal use and their value is not more than US$250.

Unless you're tight on room or restricted to carry-on liquit limits, we actually recommend you bring your own toiletries rather than buying them locally. Sun creams are vital on the tropical island, but can be much more expensive to buy than here in Australia.

While card payments are becoming a lot more prevelant across Bali, having some cash is a good idea. But, be aware of limits on how much you can bring in. Are you carrying a stack of banknotes? You must declare if you're bringing more than IDR 100 million or more in cash (or the equivalent to other currencies. In Australian Dollars, that's about AU$1,000).

Our tip? Just withdraw cash locally at an ATM. The exchange rates are almost always better than if you get it ahead of time in Australia. They'll be at the airport too if you need notes to pay for a taxi.

You can bring up to one litre of alcohol into Indonesia. If you ahve more than that, you'll need to declare it, and you must pay customs duty.

While Indonesia is a predominately Muslim and don't drink much alcohol, Bali is majority Hindu and alcohol is widely available. The island also very much caters to western tourists, so just about anything you want to drink will be available here.

Carrying tobacco products for personal use is fine. But, some limitations apply. You can only bring no more than 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and 100 grams of tobacco.

Buying cigarettes in Indonesia will cost a lot less than in Australia, so it may be best to just bring what you need and purchase any additional packs locally.

Similar to in Australia, vapes are technically illegal but widely available. It's best to leave yours at home to avoid any legal issues.

Carrying gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and laptops are permitted. One person can bring a maximum of 2 items. Short-term visits (less than 3 months) do not require declaration for these electronic items.

When you are in medicinal treatment, just bring your medicine and declare it. Remember to always have the prescription with you, if applicable. It's best to keep it in the box or packaging it came in too. Unfortunately, Chinese medicines are prohibited.

Every country does have slightly different rules around drugs, so it's best to check if your particular medication is legal in Indonesia before departure.

Please note that Bali customs regulations are strict regarding banned items. If you do not want to get caught, avoid carrying these items.

Indonesia has a zero-tolerance policy on drugs. Even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can land you in jail. These include narcotics, cannabis, and psychotropic substances.

All dangerous items like guns, firearms, ammunition, and explosives are strictly forbidden.

Indonesia has strict anti-pornography laws. So, possessing pornographic materials can lead you into trouble. It's best to leave any of these at home.

No matter how convincing your fake watch or handbag is, it's best to not try bringing it into Indonesia. The country is pretty strict with counterfiet goods.

Like Australia, Indonesia has a unique ecosystem and bringing in anything that can harm that is illegal. This includes any pets. Seeds and fruits are considered plants, so even if you're bringing a snack for the plane, it's best to finish it before disembarking.

In addition to the previous items, you must be aware of several restricted items. These include cordless telephones, plants, animals, and cultural artefacts.

Customs declarations, whether you're declaring goods or not, is simple. The e-customs declaration (e-CD) can be completed within 3 days before the arrival date into Indonesia. If you're flying to Bali from somewhere else in Indonesia, say Jakarta, Yogyakarta or Lombok, you won't have to fill this out again.

Here's what to do

It is mandatory to declare all goods honestly. Falsely declaring them can result in severe penalties. In extreme cases, carrying illegal items can result in criminal charges.

Note: The form may default to Indonesian, but you can change the language in the top right corner of the page.

Nope! The online form is all that's needed these days. If you don't have a mobile phone with you, it's best to fill this out in advance. You will need to show a QR code to the customs officer, so print it out if needed.

You'll need to either get a visa on arrival, or organise one in advance, and have proof of an onward ticket. If you're returning to Australia with the same airline on a roundtrip-ticket, just show them the same booking confirmation.

If you're travelling to another country, you can show them the ticket to that country.

Once you've got flights and a hotel booked, check out some of the stellar activities we have on offer. From jungle swings to scuba diving, there's thousands of incredible things to do in Bali.