Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australia

[chrisb]

We had them pick through a bag of mixed (but individually wrapped) lollies. They ended up taking some lollies that contained dairy from a certain country in Asia. The rest of the bag was ok. It didn't seem to matter that they were 99% sugar and heavily processed.

I wonder if they'll be more relaxed on things like that now. When looking at a block of chocolate or a bag of lollies it doesn't really occur to me to declare it as a dairy product.

 

[infinity]

Here here. Commonsense at last. My radioactive chocolate is safe !!!

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Beginning to appear? Last time I used it the queues where long to the point that it really had no time savings at all. It probably didn't help that the photograph machine was having a heart attack on the day and was denying entry for every second person.

MEL has now installed passport checking machines in the passageways from the gates, so as more people use them they will need to increase the number of photo points. I think I have only ever had at most one person in front of me, so I guess I have been lucky.

 

[coles525]

Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

1) I'm in for the new rule on food

2) Travelling back from europe earlier this year, unknown to us, dog food is ban-able "food". Purchased from a few pet shops/supermarkets in either Germany or Poland (maby a few other europe countries!), but they were sent to the bin, due to unable to know the exact ingredients (ie: another language). Not like we wasted heaps of $$$.

3) "Self Serve" passport control / photo booths..... NEVER, I would rather get a big fat stamp in my passport to actually prove I went / returned somewhere! (not like we can scan the passports on our home puter, to show others where we went!)

 

[mannej]

Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

1) I'm in for the new rule on food

2) Travelling back from europe earlier this year, unknown to us, dog food is ban-able "food". Purchased from a few pet shops/supermarkets in either Germany or Poland (maby a few other europe countries!), but they were sent to the bin, due to unable to know the exact ingredients (ie: another language). Not like we wasted heaps of $$$.

3) "Self Serve" passport control / photo booths..... NEVER, I would rather get a big fat stamp in my passport to actually prove I went / returned somewhere! (not like we can scan the passports on our home puter, to show others where we went!)

Is there anywhere in Australia that actually stamps the passport either coming in or going out? Haven't had a stamp since 07 from memory.

As for the e-gates, the layout in Perth is shocking. There is confusion as to which line is which, as the line for the photogate actually cuts across the entrance point to the touch screen machines. I would have thought have the touch screens first, walk behind the screens to form the new line for the photo gate. Much less confusion like that.

 

[coles525]

Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Is there anywhere in Australia that actually stamps the passport either coming in or going out? Haven't had a stamp since 07 from memory.

As for the e-gates, the layout in Perth is shocking. There is confusion as to which line is which, as the line for the photogate actually cuts across the entrance point to the touch screen machines. I would have thought have the touch screens first, walk behind the screens to form the new line for the photo gate. Much less confusion like that.

Regarding the Passport getting stamps, NOT UNLESS you ask for it to be done, both going and returning! Grrr.... Forgot to get a return stamp last year, even BEFORE I exited customs, they said I can't go back (or bring a stamp pad to me!). I exited, but failed to return in 2011!

When I ask, they usually look at me different??? :?: :!:

 

[moa999]

Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Is there anywhere in Australia that actually stamps the passport either coming in or going out? Haven't had a stamp since 07 from memory.
.

I got a stamp at SYD in Mar-12... Unrequested

Was not so happy as am already at 12/36 pages complete full on a 3yr old passport, and that includes avoiding HK stamps (echannel) and the large China visas (APEC)

 

[Hvr]

Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

I am not sure that this is a good change. Customs is now leaving it up to the pax to decide what food to declare instead of a blanket declaration of food.

I often have chocolate or tea bags or similar so don't use an express pass. This doesn't seem to matter as I will get waved through the 'all clear' lane after describing what I am carrying. I am also usually near the front of the queue anyway as I travel HLO so I am not stuck waiting at the carrousel.


Sent from my iThing.
Why, because iCan.

I agree with Jessica here. Having the passenger decide that something is low risk is only going to end in tears.

Also, there are some products that are origin dependent as to whether or no they are a risk. For example Milo. A couple of years ago I bought some back from Thailand and Singapore and duly declared it. It was explained to me (very professionally and without any problems) that Milo from Thailand is made differently and that because it contains milk products it is too dangerous to allow into Australia. Whereas the Milo from Singapore was acceptable.

Funnily enough I once handed some Thai Milo to an officer telling him that I knew it wasn't allowed and he tried to tell me that it was. Fortunately another officer overheard and thanked me whilst telling his colleague that I was correct.

Imagine if someone in good faith decides that the confectionery they are bringing is low risk and doesn't declare it? There are going to be some increased risks here that need not be borne.

Finally, as other posters have noted here, declaring these items and having them on hand whilst waiting for your luggage often means the relevant officer marks your card and tells you to go to the "Nothing to declare" line.

 

[markis10]

Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Is there anywhere in Australia that actually stamps the passport either coming in or going out? Haven't had a stamp since 07 from memory..

Passport stamps for Australian holders has been optional since Nov 1999, thats not to say you wont get one out of habit since the passengers all before you needed it as non Australian passport holders.