Johnny Depp -- Dog Smuggling Carries 10 Year Prison Sentence

Johnny Depp going to jail for bringing his dogs to Australia might sound like a joke, but officials Down Under aren't laughing ... and Depp could end up behind bars for a long, long time.

The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star could face up to 10 years in prison -- and receive a fine of up to $340,000 -- for illegally bringing his two dogs into Australia, says the Sydney Morning Herald.

The paper says his pilot, who flew Depp and the dogs into the country, could get two years as well.

Depp had the two Yorkshire Terriers -- Boo and Pistol -- flown back the U.S. earlier this month after officials threatened to put the pups down ... all because Depp didn't properly declare them.

Under Australian law, dogs brought into the country must be quarantined for 10 days, to avoid spreading disease.