Is the Australian Landing Card Still Necessary in the Written Form?

[Sprucegoose]

Is the Australian Landing card still required to be written and submitted manually?

Could we be doing arrival clearances more efficiently?

 

[RealtimeY]

Yes to both.

I recall they did implement the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) during COVID but it was unreliable and sounded poorly executed. I hope they give it another go, especially now that NZ has gone digital with theirs.

 

[elanshin]

Yes to both.

I recall they did implement the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) during COVID but it was unreliable and sounded poorly executed. I hope they give it another go, especially now that NZ has gone digital with theirs.

When Japan, the land of the fax machine has gone digital, you know you're more than a little behind.

 

[jrfsp]

Thats before we even get onto the two stage e gate process

 

[serfty]

Could we be doing arrival clearances more efficiently?

Certainly could be - even the Kiwi's entry can be done online.

 

[luxury-lizard]

I recently entered NZ using their digital declaration (use App NZTD) and it definitely made customs a lot easier - NZ assesses your entry once submitted (up to 3 days in advance) and even if you declare something (eg. water sporting equipment) - it tells you to take the "nothing to declare" line.

 

[leadman]

Like most things these days (e.g., AFL, Cricket, Olympics, etc.), it's probably tied up in a TV agreement. Where would Channel 7's "Border Security" be without grilling the Asian passenger with a bag full of veggies? "You filled this card out ........ blah blah blah."

 

[Mwenenzi]

I recently entered NZ using their digital declaration (use App NZTD) and it definitely made customs a lot easier - NZ assesses your entry once submitted (up to 3 days in advance) and even if you declare something (eg. water sporting equipment) - it tells you to take the "nothing to declare" line.

Being a frequent visitor to NZ (on a NZ passport) my view is the process a little slower with e-digital declaration vs the hard copy. Scanning the passport and then the agent reading on screen takes longer vs agent looking (quick scan by eye) for y/n in the questions.

New Zealand Traveller Declaration - Start Your Declaration

Complete and submit the New Zealand Traveller Declaration easily and safely online prior to your arrival. Find resources about travel to New Zealand here.<br />

www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz

 

[drron]

On our way home on SQ245 now and have been given the arrival card to fill out.

 

[Himeno]

When Japan, the land of the fax machine has gone digital, you know you're more than a little behind.

Last time I went to Japan (Jan) it was either digital or paper, with many airlines having expected people to have used the digital form and not stocking the paper versions.
Is that still the case, or have they gotten rid of the paper form in the last 6 months?

I had the AU entry card to fill in on return from my last trip in May. Not sure if they even looked at it at customs as I was let straight out and had been expecting to get sent through one of the biosecurity lanes after having been to Indonesia.

 

[Pushka]

Certainly could be - even the Kiwi's entry can be done online.

Hell, even Bali has an online customs declaration. It's the only way you can do it once they went paperless. Here in Australia? Nup. Too hard.

I heard this being discussed on the radio this morning.

 

[whughes3]

Even the Philippines now has a digital arrival form which seems to work well. And when you are behind the Philippines, things are BAD...

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm guessing the reasons Oz is sticking to the arrival card (for customs at least) include:

* Its filled out immediately before entering the immigration area, not some days or more beforehand, so should be more accurate, if people are honest. I think for Chile I could fill it out a week or more ahead!

* Its easy for the officials to look at and immediately quiz you about something on the form, person on person, no doubt looking at what you have with you as well . We don't do scanning barcodes.

* Our customs areas are 'serious' - not the walk-through like many places

* Pax convenience is not part of their mandate

 

[Daver6]

There's solutions to all of this though...

I'm guessing the reasons Oz is sticking to the arrival card (for customs at least) include:

* Its filled out immediately before entering the immigration area, not some days or more beforehand, so should be more accurate, if people are honest. I think for Chile I could fill it out a week or more ahead!

I frequently fill my form out well in advance, sometimes before departing for a trip. Obviously if things change I'll redo it.

If you do it online they could make it so you can edit it on arrival or use a kiosk to do so by scanning a bar code.

* Its easy for the officials to look at and immediately quiz you about something on the form, person on person, no doubt looking at what you have with you as well . We don't do scanning barcodes.

Easy solution again though. Customs scans your bar code, has the info on their screen and quizzes you.

* Our customs areas are 'serious' - not the walk-through like many places

Still can be

* Pax convenience is not part of their mandate

 

[RSVKanga]

Qantas passengers from New Zealand set to be first travellers to fill out digital Australia Travel Declaration instead of physical incoming passenger card

Qantas to trial Australian digital ‘incoming passenger card’

The new Australia Travel Declaration will be rolled out from later this year on selected international flights.

www.executivetraveller.com

The new digital Australia Travel Declaration will soon be rolled out starting with trans-Tasman flights, exclusive to Qantas passengers at this stage. Will be integrated into QF app.

Of course the full scrapping of this card can’t come any sooner. This country is the worst in the developed world when it comes to airport immigration. It would also be good if we installed simple e-gates for entry immigration rather than the current ticket/kiosk mess and scrapped transit visa requirements so Qantas can sell more tickets for markets like Asia-South America as people would be able transit here without hassle. At least this is a start.

 

[clifford]

Qantas passengers from New Zealand set to be first travellers to fill out digital Australia Travel Declaration instead of physical incoming passenger card

It would also be good if we installed simple e-gates for entry immigration rather than the current ticket/kiosk mess

I don't often agree with you, but I think you're right here.

How come the UK can do it with one e-gate when we have this convoluted nonsense system? I think I do know the answer, having worked for the Australian Govt at a senior level...

 

[Mwenenzi]

I don't often agree with you, but I think you're right here.

How come the UK can do it with one e-gate when we have this convoluted nonsense system? I think I do know the answer, having worked for the Australian Govt at a senior level...

NZ has had 1 e-gate for a long time. Swipe passport and if green tick it opens.. Walk 2 steps, stand in front of the camera and if matches gate opens and you are formally in Kiwiland.
Bizarre AU has 2 e-gates doing the same function some distance apart with a paper printout. A process from a decade ago.

From skynews link

Instead of filling out a physical card on the plane, the passengers will be able to complete the required documentation up to 72 hours before their arrival into Australia.

The declaration will be made available through the Qantas app, with travellers given a digital pass, which includes a QR code, once the form is completed.

The digital pass will also be sent to a nominated email address. Passengers will then show the pass to Australian Border Force officials on arrival in Australia.

The NZ e-travel declaration is far simpler. Can be done online. Linked to passport, which is swiped by the customs officer. NZ govt email specifically states no need to print out. No phone app needed.

Indeed AU govt procedures-information should not be an 3rd party commercial non govt app. For that reason I will not be using the AU e travel declaration.

AU Govt ABF https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-sub...d-with-a-digital-incoming-passenger-card.aspx

Some passports can transit AU with a without a visa and others will not. Too much risk to change.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/transit-771/travellers-eligible-to-transit-without-visa

 

[Warragul]

Indeed AU govt procedures-information should not be an 3rd party commercial non govt app. For that reason I will not be using the AU e travel declaration.

What information will be on a non govt app? A QR code which if deciphered or followedwill have secondary processing codes (out the door, go the Quarantine etc) and some bio information which the airline already has.
I'd have more concern( even then not a great amount) of the contractors used to bundle the physical IPCs to be digitised and archived currently.

 

[yachty]

The new digital Australia Travel Declaration will soon be rolled out starting with trans-Tasman flights

Didn't realise this was on the radar but happy to hear it.

This country is the worst in the developed world when it comes to airport immigration.

I must disagree. I can reliably be from aircraft door to immigration exit in 5 to 15 minutes in SYD (where I have the most practice). I recently waited hours in arrival AND departure immigration queues in the EU.

I could rattle off more countries... US, Korea, Japan immediately come to mind as having very slow and/or tedious arrival procedures. There is always room for improvement in Aus but it's far from the worst IMO.

Indeed AU govt procedures-information should not be an 3rd party commercial non govt app. For that reason I will not be using the AU e travel declaration.

One assumes (and hopes) the QF integration is just for the trial.

 

[RSVKanga]

One assumes (and hopes) the QF integration is just for the trial.

I actually hope that QF strikes a deal with the ABF/Gov that makes this electronic travel declaration exclusive to QF, QF codeshare and Jetstar flights only until at least the 2032 Olympics so it can help get their market share up. ABF already has a special relationship with Qantas as they agreed to install Qantas-only immigration facilities at Perth, so it’s nothing new.

As for the e-gates on arrival instead of ticket/kiosk, that should be applicable to all the relevant passports regardless of airline.