Since 2007 only kava for medicinal purposes has been allowed.
Travellers had been allowed to bring in up to 4 kilogrammes in their luggage, but this has ceased with Covid-19 restrictions.
However restrictions are having a significant impact on Australia's Pacific community who say the case for allowing kava importation by mail is strong.
A Tongan-Maori student at the University of Canberra, Faonetapu Takiari, said there were no legal restrictions on kava in the Capital Territory as it's classed as a food and beverage.