Items that may force travelers out of Australia
Key Point:
- Australia has some of the strictest customs regulations in the world.
- Many of the restrictions on what you can bring into Australia are to protect the country’s biodiversity.
- In-flight meals, pancetta, and squirrels found people violating Australian customs laws.
People entering Australia fill out what is called an Incoming Passenger Card. This asks about the types of goods the person is bringing into the country.
But what exactly can you bring into Australia with some of the world’s strictest customs regulations?
animal
An Australian man has arrived in Brisbane after traveling from Bali with a live squirrel hidden in his body.
A man returning to Australia from Bali was found with a squirrel. sauce: Getty / noor photo
“The squirrel is a potential vector for rabies, which is present in Bali, and the damage to human and animal health would be enormous if the disease reached here,” said Dr Chris Walker of the ministry. In 2021, he said, looking back at some of the more interesting discoveries…
The man was sentenced to 18 months in prison and immediate release on the condition of five years of good behavior.
food
Commercially prepared biltong and jerky are generally highly valued, but if they are made from pork meat, they will not pass customs.
A man was spotted carrying a duffel bag full of food items, including rolls, potato chips, chocolate, yogurt and meat products, and was brought to his attention.
Airport officials who found these meals in duffel bags risked fines of thousands of dollars. sauce: attached / australian border force
At the time, people could face fines of up to $111,000 for such conduct.
When confronted by a colleague, he allegedly threw the goods in the trash.
plant material
In 2020, before the pandemic closed Australia’s borders, two passengers were found to have separately brought in citrus carrying a pathogen that could have a significant impact on Australia’s citrus industry.
The item was destroyed and the people in the package declared it at customs, thus avoiding any fines or charges.
tobacco
Although it is possible to bring small amounts of tobacco and alcohol into the country without paying customs duties, these items must be declared. This is what men do not do.
Passengers on flights to Australia will be asked to complete a card declaring the type of baggage they are carrying. sauce: Getty / Peter Harrison
Travelers over the age of 18 may carry 1 unopened packet containing up to 25 cigarettes and 1 opened package of cigarettes.
This is considered duty-free, and anyone bringing in more than that must pay customs duty on the goods.
when declaring an item
Airport terminals also have designated bins that can be used by arrivals to dispose of items they do not wish to receive.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/stopped-at-customs-the-items-that-can-get-travellers-deported/26118om9g Items that may force travelers out of Australia