Melbourne Customs

[superstarshah]

On average how long has it taken you to get out from Melbbourne customs.
I'm flying in on a wednesday afternoon, just wondering how long ill have to wait in customs.

Thanks

 

[Evan]

From pulling up at the gate to in a taxi (Or as i like to say taxi-way to taxi), I usually take 15 minutes with no bags and priority card, 20-25 if i have priority tagged bags.
Thats usually the morning rush, i think the afternoon is quieter.
I don't stop for duty free i already have it.

But as a more general rule for most people with bags i would say around 30-40 minutes. If somebody is picking you up maybe err on the slightly longer time and have a coffee if they are still 10 minutes away when you call them to say your out.

E

 

[superstarshah]

Thanks i need to attend a function almost as soon as i land. So im playing on taking no luggage except hand luggage carry-on and therefore nothing to declare

 

[Evan]

Who are you flying and from where ? and in what cabin or are you say a QF platinum ?
Australian e-passport ?

All these make a small difference, but if you carry-on only etc you should breeze through regardless.

E

 

[superstarshah]

Flying Air New Zealand from Auckland

 

[munitalP]

At MEL, allow 45-50 minutes on a good day. If the luggage handlers are playing up, add. If it is raining, add.

Mr!

 

[notzac]

It really varies. I've gotten through in 10 minutes (non-existent ePassport queue, no checked luggage and express arrivals card. Walked up to the Customs officer directing people, have the express card taken from me and then "You've ticked food, what are you declaring?" "Chocolate." "Out that way, sir") - I've also had the same thing take an hour, due to the "smart gate" facilities not working and being directed through one of the xray queues.

Best of luck!

 

[superstarshah]

Thanks if it makes any difference - im on NZ passport, and have no luggage except carry on which will be just my passports and wallet.
I land at 5.30pm
Event at telstra dome at 8pm start

 

[superstarshah]

Also whats traffic like at that time(whenever i get out of customs ie. 5.45pm -7pm) from Tullamarine to Telstra Dome, Docklands

 

[Evan]

Traffic will probably be bad but i would not be worried about making an 8pm event. I think that is plenty of time, or do you need to check into a hotel or something first ?

E

 

[2muchplastic]

You shouldn't have a problem. Even my most recent experience (which was probably fairly extreme - see here) would still have meant that you would have made your event.

 

[superstarshah]

Na just gotta get off the plane through customs and straight to Telstra Dome.

Thats 2.30 hours from the time i land to make it there in my seat at the ground

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

So im playing on taking no luggage except hand luggage carry-on and therefore nothing to declare

Does this follow?

Your carry on could be full of gold bars or heroi_.

Just a thought.

 

[Will]

Does this follow?

Your carry on could be full of gold bars or heroi_.

Just a thought.

True. Although it wouldn't take many gold bars to push you over the 7kg carry-on limit...

 

[superstarshah]

Hw would i go about getting one of those express arrival cards everyone talks about

 

[Evan]

Hw would i go about getting one of those express arrival cards everyone talks about

I don't know if NZ participates, but you ask onboard if your a premium passanger or have status (in the case of QF)

Most of us who would have spare here would have QF ones which are not much good if you arrive on an NZ flight and no QF flight arrives same time.

E

 

[superstarshah]

Just wondering if it wud be quicker to use smartgate? havent used it before but my new nz passport came with the chip i think.

 

[Evan]

Just wondering if it wud be quicker to use smartgate? havent used it before but my new nz passport came with the chip i think.

If you can use it with an NZ passport yes.
They now have some question/ticket machines up as you get off the plane that everybody walks past, i have been using these to jump the queues recently

 

[tuapekastar]

If you can use it with an NZ passport yes.
They now have some question/ticket machines up as you get off the plane that everybody walks past, i have been using these to jump the queues recently

I did the first part of the Smartgate process (Have you been to Sth America/Africa in last 6 days) at AKL today. Second part was a breeze at MEL, all very quick and easy (not many people around immi at the time admittedly)

 

[Evan]

Wow, i never knew you could start the process on departure in NZ. thats cool.
Anyway its getting better all the time.
E