Changes to cigarette importation rules - has it caused the predicted problems?

[here2go]

Have any of our members noticed a "slow-down" at customs coming back into Australia since the laws changed to only allow 50 duty free cigarettes into the country? I'm not a smoker, just curious after reading an article suggesting the union thought there would be issues come the changes 1 July, especially with non-Australian travellers.

 

[drewbles]

My favourite were a couple from a country town who went to Vietnam for 6 weeks (they were in the newspapers being quoted). They said that they had no idea they could only bring back two packs and that they had not been notified.

I've been to NZ 3-4 times in the past 6-12 weeks and there were constant ads above the customs screens in MEL advising of the changes come 1st September, and i'm sure there were other signs all over the place.

This couple also stated that it had not been in the news as they 'read the papers every day'. As far as I remember, this was announced 6-12 months ago, and the 'grace period' that the couple said should be occurring really isn't needed as it was advised and well publicised so long ago.

 

[mannej]

It was in the news when the budget was released IIRC

 

[here2go]

Another good reason to quit.

 

[juddles]

Another good reason to quit.

begs the question why a non-smoker like yourself is interested in this??

 

[here2go]

I am just intrigued that's all. It's a bigger issue up here than perhaps down south - all the CUBs going to Bali for the weekend could be in for a rude shock at 3am in the morning.

 

[drewbles]

I am just intrigued that's all. It's a bigger issue up here than perhaps down south - all the CUBs going to Bali for the weekend could be in for a rude shock at 3am in the morning.

I'd pay to see that. Having their cartons of Winnie Blues confiscated in their Bintang finest outfit

 

[here2go]

I'd pay to see that. Having their cartons of Winnie Blues confiscated in their Bintang finest outfit

I expect they'd have their dress thongs on too.

 

[drewbles]

I expect they'd have their dress thongs on too.

Of course. And their "genuine" Rolex

 

[here2go]

Of course. And their "genuine" Rolex

I'm surprised people aren't being pinged for bringing dodgy DVDs into the country. People here wait to go to Bali to buy DVDs, and then come back with books of them.

 

[medhead]

I'm surprised people aren't being pinged for bringing dodgy DVDs into the country. People here wait to go to Bali to buy DVDs, and then come back with books of them.

They have been. At least I saw one person get pinged on border security for both dodgy DVDs and sexually explicit DVDs. IIRC the commentary was careful to explain both were an issue.


Sent from the Throne

 

[TheInsider]

I'm surprised people aren't being pinged for bringing dodgy DVDs into the country. People here wait to go to Bali to buy DVDs, and then come back with books of them.

Buying DVD's is soooo 2000's, downloading FTW!

 

[here2go]

They have been. At least I saw one person get pinged on border security for both dodgy DVDs and sexually explicit DVDs. IIRC the commentary was careful to explain both were an issue.


Sent from the Throne

I'm just glad I don't go to or through Bali. Being stuck behind people like this in the customs queue could be tedious.

 

[drewbles]

I'm just glad I don't go to or through Bali. Being stuck behind people like this in the customs queue could be tedious.

Of course arriving back into Australia behind one of these flights may be painful (I always use smartgate and seldom check luggage, so it's pretty quick generally, unless I get a grumpy officer who decides to route me down the 'Far Queue please sir, join the FAR QUEUE'. The last 10 or so times i've arrived in MEL fortunately i've been waved straight through upon presenting my card and SmartGate ticket.

 

[here2go]

Of course arriving back into Australia behind one of these flights may be painful (I always use smartgate and seldom check luggage, so it's pretty quick generally, unless I get a grumpy officer who decides to route me down the 'Far Queue please sir, join the FAR QUEUE'. The last 10 or so times i've arrived in MEL fortunately i've been waved straight through upon presenting my card and SmartGate ticket.

Travelling with children OS. Damn!

 

[mella2007]

Well back in July and early August there was a tiny sign explaining the changes. If I hadn't of briefly turned my head i would have missed it completely and was the first time I had read/heard anything about it (and I am a smoker)

 

[JohnK]

When I went to New Zealand ~3 weeks ago I received a leaflet on the changes from SYD QF First Class check-in.

I read it briefly as although I am not a smoker I am not interested in propaganda.

 

[Shane B]

I expect they'd have their dress thongs on too.

I was posted to Darwin for two years. Came back to Canberra in February this year.

I absolutely love Darwin, but I have to say the Bintang singlets are a must have fashion item - especially at Casuarina Square!!

 

[here2go]

I was posted to Darwin for two years. Came back to Canberra in February this year.

I absolutely love Darwin, but I have to say the Bintang singlets are a must have fashion item - especially at Casuarina Square!!

It's okay for adults to wear Bintang singlets, just, but it is more concerning when father and eight-year old son have them though. The adverts saying that kids absorb your drinking is so true. Have done some teaching up here - being asked by 13 year olds when I had my first drinking party, knowing fully well that these kids are getting blotto most weekends is depressing. It's how my father-in-law started - he died at 49 and never got to see his grandkids. I love a drink but the drinking culture here is frightening.

 

[burrco]

What a surprise that tonight's, totally independent and in no way Government propaganda, Border Security has shown a passenger exceeding the fifty cig limit. What an amazing, and in no way planned, coincidence of timing!

Obviously filmed before the changes because the customs officer mentioned 250 while the narrator gravely mentioned the fifty limit.