CUSTOMS have seized five pieces of tropical coral that were being smuggled to Hong Kong through Sydney airport.
The coral was found on Monday and has been quarantined at Sydney Aquarium, customs said on Friday.
The person caught with the coral was unaware of restrictions on Australian fauna and flora exportation, customs national airport operations manager Craig Sommerville said.
"Many wildlife seizures at the border relate to inadvertent breaches by travellers who don't realise that their items are illegal," he said in a statement.
"It's important to check Australian regulations before buying animal or wildlife products for import or export - otherwise you could just be wasting your money."
Customs regard the illegal exportation of animals and wildlife as a serious crime, and Mr Sommerville said the risk for wildlife traffickers is high.
"Such smuggling can be cruel and inhumane and results in high rates of animal death," he said.
"The maximum penalty for offences... is up to 10 years imprisonment and or a fine of $110,000."
Staff at the aquarium are optimistic the coral will recover quickly, and say it could end up in the Great Barrier Reef exhibit.
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