APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[RTWFF]

Sources

And the source of this information is ... ? In particular, is the comment that an APEC BTC meets this criteria yours or theirs? As I recall, the criteria has never varied; my experience was that the supervisor did not accept that an APEC BTC met the criteria

 

[Mal]

Qantas advertise it on their site:

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/travelDocuments
"
Forms of Identification

<snip>

If you are travelling domestically and departing from an international terminal (flights QF001-QF399 and Australian Airlines flights), and are 18 years of age or over, you will need to produce photographic identification as below that includes your full name. Your boarding pass will have a special 'D' (Domestic) sticker. You will need to sign your name in the space provided and may also be required to record details of your photographic identication. Retain your boarding pass as you will need to present it at immigration and customs clearance points at the end of your journey. This is required to comply with the Migration regulations administered by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).
Photographic Identification

The following are the only acceptable forms of photographic identification all of which must be valid at the time of travel

* National passport
* Motor vehicle driver's licence issued under a law of the Commonwealth of Australia, or of an Australian State or Territory
* A document that identifies you issued by:
- the Commonwealth of Australia, or
- an Australian State or Territory, or
- by an authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, or an Australian State or Territory
* Aviation security identification card issued by the operator of the aircraft or the operator of an airport in Australia

"

Seeing it is a Qantas policy backed up by DIMIA policies (which I can't find right now), the Check in agents should follow it.

I could have great fun with this ruling. Will have to try it next time I'm flying Domestic on an International flight and make sure I have a print out of the page to assist if I have issues....

 

[Dave Noble]

Re: Sources

And the source of this information is ... ? In particular, is the comment that an APEC BTC meets this criteria yours or theirs? As I recall, the criteria has never varied; my experience was that the supervisor did not accept that an APEC BTC met the criteria

My source is the leaflet that is available at the check in desks in the International Terminal. It is a leaflet issued by Australian Customs Service and AQIS

The APEC card has the holder's Full Name, has their photograph and is issued by DIMIA which meets the requirements defined

As also pointed out by MAL, this is the same as printed on the QF Web Site

Dave

 

[infoworks]

The good news and bad is that it's not widely recognised yet. Good as it's quicker for those of us with it, bad when everyone recognises it, it will be in very common usage!

 

[Mal]

Re: Sources

My source is the leaflet that is available at the check in desks in the International Terminal. It is a leaflet issued by Australian Customs Service and AQIS

The APEC card has the holder's Full Name, has their photograph and is issued by DIMIA which meets the requirements defined

As also pointed out by MAL, this is the same as printed on the QF Web Site

Dave

The legal reference is here:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/leg...tattachments/85CA247197A85266CA2570DC007F1F79

Migration Regulations 1994 section 3.09 (Volume 1)

 

[Dave Noble]

Re: Sources

And the source of this information is ... ? In particular, is the comment that an APEC BTC meets this criteria yours or theirs? As I recall, the criteria has never varied; my experience was that the supervisor did not accept that an APEC BTC met the criteria

Well, just to confirm I emailed Immigration. I have just received an email back from immi.gov.au and received confirmation from them that the ABTC is acceptable as ID when travelling on domestic flights and that they would make sure that all airports are aware of this

Dave

 

[Damien]

I just noticed that I now have Singapore, so they are working through them.

Still waiting for China though... :?

 

[infoworks]

Singaore has come through in the last week.

Nice to have them all through...now if only PNG get moving!

 

[cssaus]

Checking my application online, it appears that I now have approval for 11 of the 17 economies that are participating in the scheme.

Of the ones I'm still waiting for, the only one that is of interest to me is CHINA but I've been told not to hold my breath on this one as it can take literally forever to come thru. The other 6 don't hold any interest for me at present.

I'll be sending off the email to get my interim card.

 

[Damien]

Of the ones I'm still waiting for, the only one that is of interest to me is CHINA but I've been told not to hold my breath on this one as it can take literally forever to come thru.

I've had my card for over a year now, and still no China. :x

I'll be sending off the email to get my interim card.

Good news! That will only take a few days.

 

[cowombat]

If China is important to you (as it is me), drop an e:mail to the very helpful folks administering the card. They had China through on mine in a matter of a few weeks, less than a month as I recall. As I understand it, they batch the requests for PRC. If you ask nicely, they may add your name to the next batch.

 

[cssaus]

If China is important to you (as it is me), drop an e:mail to the very helpful folks administering the card. They had China through on mine in a matter of a few weeks, less than a month as I recall. As I understand it, they batch the requests for PRC. If you ask nicely, they may add your name to the next batch.

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't see any travel to China in the immediate future so I'm happy to wait on. Should things change then I'll take up your advice.

 

[one9]

i am just about to apply for this card, but want to confirm one thing.

i assume that when returning to australia, you still have to queue up normally in either the "nothing to declare" or "goods to declare" lane and have baggage x-rayed??

this is usually a substantial delay, so really the card is not as useful as it sounds for returning back to australia.

 

[Mal]

i am just about to apply for this card, but want to confirm one thing.

i assume that when returning to australia, you still have to queue up normally in either the "nothing to declare" or "goods to declare" lane and have baggage x-rayed??

this is usually a substantial delay, so really the card is not as useful as it sounds for returning back to australia.

There is no exemption for APEC, Smartgate or anything similar (Maybe bar extra special VIP's, and Diplomatic passport holders). Even crew have to go through the X-Rays.

 

[cssaus]

On Tuesday I get to undertake my first overseas trip since receiving the APEC card as well as getting my new e-passport and I'll be interested to see how things go.

Unfortunately on my return I'll be coming back into Sydney at the southern end of T1 (Star Alliance end) and I don't think there's an opportunity to try out a Smartgate kiosk.

Can someone confirm, for ARRIVALS, is it the far left hand side line where the crew pass thru that is used for APEC card holders?

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

i assume that when returning to australia, you still have to queue up normally in either the "nothing to declare" or "goods to declare" lane and have baggage x-rayed??

this is usually a substantial delay, so really the card is not as useful as it sounds for returning back to australia.

As Mal says, you still need to queue at Customs. However, I would certainly prefer the ability to "overtake" all those tourists who disembarked the (soon to be) A380 20 minutes before my 747 load arrived and get to the customs counter ahead of them!

As an additional (yet unproven) theory, you'll note that the immigration officer will put some code onto your customs form. The "gate keeper" at customs then either directs you to a checking station or to the exit. If you have your APEC card, it means that you've been checked by many police authorities in the region and have a clear record and should in all probability, be less of a risk to customs. Just a theory, but I've been directed out without having to open a bag more often since I've had the card. Coincidence maybe - just a hunch - whatever.

The card gets my full endorsement.

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

Can someone confirm, for ARRIVALS, is it the far left hand side line where the crew pass thru that is used for APEC card holders?

Yep - and if the sign doesn't say so, just go there with the card visible to the officers and they'll direct you accordingly...

 

[one9]

... you'll note that the immigration officer will put some code onto your customs form.

it would be interesting if someone could compile a list of the codes and what they mean

 

[cssaus]

Can someone confirm, for ARRIVALS, is it the far left hand side line where the crew pass thru that is used for APEC card holders?

Yep - and if the sign doesn't say so, just go there with the card visible to the officers and they'll direct you accordingly...

thanks for confirmation. I'm arriving back into just after 8.00am so I guess things will start to be fairly busy at that time of the morning and that the APEC card may well prove it's worth.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

... you'll note that the immigration officer will put some code onto your customs form.

it would be interesting if someone could compile a list of the codes and what they mean

Thats not likely to happen. The codes change on a very regular basis.