A US woman has been charged after allegedly importing 17kg of meth into Australia.

The 50-year-old woman approached staff at Sydney Airport when she lost her luggage upon arrival from San Francisco yesterday.

At the same time, a suitcase marked with her last name was located in the baggage claims area and was referred to by the Australian Border Force by airline staff.

Officers allegedly found vacuum-sealed bags full of white crystalline substance, hidden inside packing cubes.

Initial testing allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine, with the total weight of the packages coming to 17kg.

The US national was arrested and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

”ABF officers work closely with not only our law enforcement partners, but also airline crew and other airport staff, to identify and intercept potential threats,” ABF Superintendent Elle West said.

“This is a timely reminder to passengers entering Australia the Australian Border Force and our partners are always on the lookout for suspicious passenger behaviour, if you attempt to import illicit drugs into this country you will be stopped in your tracks.”