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

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markis10

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People arriving in Australia no longer need to declare low-risk products such as commercially-prepared and packaged lollies, chips and chocolates. The change means most passengers can look forward to a quicker and more convenient biosecurity clearance.
Tim Chapman, First Assistant Secretary for Border Compliance, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, said the changes demonstrate a risk-based approach where more effort is put into targeting high-risk goods rather than treating all risks the same.
“Biosecurity officers will focus on looking for goods such as raw meats, live plants, seeds and fresh fruit and vegetables, which have a much greater potential to bring diseases and pests to Australia,” said Mr Chapman.
“The changes are the result of the latest scientific advice. Some commercially prepared and packaged goods, especially those brought in for family or friends to eat, pose a lower risk.
“We anticipate people not carrying high-risk goods will have a faster path through the airport and be able to get home—or continue on with their travels—more quickly.
“Efforts will be targeted to those things that matter most.”
Changes have been made to the Incoming Passenger Card, with questions now focused on whether people are carrying animal products including meat, poultry, fish, birds, eggs or dairy; plant items including fruit, vegetables, grains, seeds, bulbs and wooden items; or items that may have soil attached.
“If everyone plays their part, biosecurity officers will be able to focus their efforts on goods that pose an unacceptable risk to Australia’s biosecurity,” said Mr Chapman.
DAFF, along with other jurisdictions, industry and the community, plays a vital role in managing Australia’s biosecurity system by reducing the risk of unwanted pests and disease arriving into the country, protecting Australia’s human, animal and plant health.
For more information about what can and can’t be brought into Australia visit the DAFF website.

Passenger clearance now easier - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Good news! I have always declared my crisps coming in from the UK but never been checked or slowed down.
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Oh, thank God for that! Lindt balls cost me an extra 45 minutes last time.:evil:
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Seems a very sensible change.
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

While sensible on the surface, it does depend on the implementation.
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

I have never had an issue not declaring lollies. I have always asked staff, and they always wave me through.

So this just formalises what I have seen happen anyway
 
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Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

seems a sensible change to me, how it will make any difference is another question - seems like customs decide on who is x-ray'd and sniffered based on race/amount of baggage/time of day as well as type of food declared
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

I have been carrying a Snickers every time I go through security and always tick that I have food to declare, every single time they have looked at me like I was an idiot and waved me through, very fast way to get through I've noticed
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

seems a sensible change to me, how it will make any difference is another question - seems like customs decide on who is x-ray'd and sniffered based on race/amount of baggage/time of day as well as type of food declared

You can't use the express path if you declare anything.
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Oh, thank God for that! Lindt balls cost me an extra 45 minutes last time.:evil:

Gee, what the hell did you do?

One time I came in with a boatload of chocolate - Belgian chocolate, Swiss chocolate... chocolate truffles, boxes etc. - simply declared and customs took me in all less than 5 minutes (plus wait time, which was minimal).

I think this is a bit silly. They should continue on insisting that all food be declared. At customs, if the officer decides it's a low risk, then let it go. Anything higher risk, examine it. The problem with a headline like this and announcing it not so carefully is that it seems to imply that someone who only has a chocolate bar can declare nothing (i.e. tick 'no') on the inbound form. Whilst the violation is not necessarily profound, people are going to start pushing the boundaries like this (what constitutes something which is declarable or not?)

Maybe I'm misinterpreting the change, but if it was minor anyway then why all the song and dance.
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Oh No!!!

This means my staff of incoming passenger cards are now obsolete and I need to grab a new staff next time I travel.
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

thank god, common sense prevails
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

I prefer to have something to declare as I think it is a sign to the customs staff that you have actually thought about what you are carrying and have not just blindly ticked no for all the options. They just ask you what you have and usually just wave you through anyway. Not sure that this change will make that great of a difference.
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

Gee, what the hell did you do?

One time I came in with a boatload of chocolate - Belgian chocolate, Swiss chocolate... chocolate truffles, boxes etc. - simply declared and customs took me in all less than 5 minutes (plus wait time, which was minimal).

I declared the chocolate like I usually do, but the Customs Officer didn't ask me what I had, he just sent me to the line that was way over to the left (MEL airport). It wasn't the usual line I've been through previously. There was only about 2 or 3 ppl in front of me, but they were doing the whole bag check thing. There was an Indian family of 3 in front of me, and they got taken to the naughty corner for having 2 carton of cigs each (post reform to 50 cigs only). When I got to front of the line, the Customs Officer asked me what I had and sent me on my way.

I must have looked dodgey that day.
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

I must have looked dodgey that day.

I always look dodgey after a flight from Europe :mrgreen:
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

I declared the chocolate like I usually do, but the Customs Officer didn't ask me what I had, he just sent me to the line that was way over to the left (MEL airport). It wasn't the usual line I've been through previously. There was only about 2 or 3 ppl in front of me, but they were doing the whole bag check thing. There was an Indian family of 3 in front of me, and they got taken to the naughty corner for having 2 carton of cigs each (post reform to 50 cigs only). When I got to front of the line, the Customs Officer asked me what I had and sent me on my way.

I must have looked dodgey that day.

if you looked dodgy you would have had your bags completely searched
 
Re: Lollies Chocs etc get the green light for not being declared on entry to Australi

About time.........they can easily reword the 'food' question to a question on its own. I declare chocolates everytime I come back and really, most people declaring food are declaring innocent things like that.

They know which ones to target regarding banned food - usually they don't tick yes to the question.
 
Watching Border Security you will soon see its pretty easy for Customs Officers to "Profile" who is likely to be bringing in food!

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

I hope this also applies to wooden products like picture frames and wooden guitars.
 
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