Australian Federal Police pounced on Hao-Chen Liu at baggage collection after he got off his flight from Taipei in April last year because they noticed his walking was hindered.

A search revealed the 21-year-old was carrying about two kilograms of the drug ice in four vacuum sealed bags.

Two of the bags were strapped to his upper thighs and the others concealed under a girdle.

Liu's arrest led to countryman Yung-Chan Chiu, 20, being found with a similar amount of the drug after he arrived on a flight from Taipei about 45 minutes later.

Their Brisbane Supreme Court sentencing on Friday heard both men had thousands of dollars of gambling debts when they agreed in Taiwan to courier the drugs, which were of a high purity.

They feared being physically attacked if they backed out.

Both were sentenced to eight years in jail with Liu's parole eligibility set for four years' time.

Chiu will be eligible for release six months earlier after the court heard he identified the person who booked his itinerary to Taiwanese authorities.

"That drug is the source of untold misery among Australian citizens," Justice James Douglas said in sentencing.

"(It) is likely to be at least partly responsible for very significant crimes of violence."

Australian Associated Press