I'm flying overseas is my seat approved for airline use?
Some restraints may only be used on board aircraft in accordance with the aircraft procedures, and any directions from the aircraft operator, pilot or crew. Inform the aircraft operator that a child restraint is intended to be used on the aircraft when booking the flight as the child restraint may not be suitable for use in that operator’s aircraft. Most current seats will have a green Aircraft label which states it is recommended by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. Please contact our customer care team on 1300 303 330 for further advise.
Can I use my restraint overseas?
Many countries have laws for using child restraints and their standards differ from Australia. Laws vary from country to country and even state to state. Countries with strong laws are European countries, USA, Canada, Japan and South Africa.
Many vehicles around the world are not yet fitted with a child restraint upper anchorage point or fitting thus to use an Australian seat an upper anchorage fitting needs to be installed. There will be no fittings in Taxis and most rental cars. In many developing countries there are no seat belts in which case a child restraint is of no use at all.
New Zealand accepts child restraints made in Australia to the joint Australian and New Zealand Standard and there is an understanding of the upper anchorage strap and vehicle fittings. Despite this it is worthwhile asking for a rental vehicle that is suitable for Australian Child restraints and it has an upper anchorage (tether strap) fitting in the vehicle.
I have purchased a Britax child restraint overseas and have brought it to Australia, can I use it?
Britax seats are made to other overseas standards and not to the joint Australian/New Zealand standard. The traffic rules in all states required child restraints to comply with the Australian Standard AS/NZS1754 and in some states required certification (the 5 tick mark used on all Australian seats). Using an International restraint that doesn’t comply with AS/NZS1754 is illegal. Thus there is the possibility that you could be booked for a traffic violation or in the case of a crash an Insurance company may consider that the Child restraint invalidates the insurance policy and you may be held liable for the death or injury of your child.
Can I rearward face my seat on an airline?
Certain child restraints within our range meet the standards for use in aircraft as recommend by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand and are suitable for forward facing use. To view our range of Aircraft Compatible car seats for domestic flights visit: Aircraft Compatible Child Car Seats.
Can I purchase and use any Britax restraints available through other countries?
Although the Britax is in other countries, any Britax car seats which do not meet the AUS/NZ standard cannot be used here in Australia as the traffic rules in all states require child restraints to comply with the Australian Standard AS/NZS1754 and in some states required certification (the 5 tick mark used on all Australian seats).
How long can I leave my baby in my baby capsule/car seat?
Do not leave your child in the baby capsule/car seat for extended periods.
