When will Australia get modern entry procedures?

[Port Power]

A few years ago I did not declare any food as I only had commercial chocolates in my luggage. The first contact agent queried me, so I said as much. She told me it would be better to declare under "milk, nuts, etc" just to be sure. Since then I always tick the box if I have chocolates, biscuits, muesli bars or commercial jam. Better safe than sorry! I explain what I have to that first agent and am then directed straight to the exit. It goes to the oft mentioned motto, "If in doubt, declare". I also really miss the very simple "food" question. There is no mistaking what food is.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

. I also really miss the very simple "food" question. There is no mistaking what food is.

Oh, lol, there is! A passenger in front of me didn’t declare coffee sachets… was told ‘do you put it in your mouth, then it’s food!’

Not sure I agree with that.

 

[markis10]

Oh, lol, there is! A passenger in front of me didn’t declare coffee sachets… was told ‘do you put it in your mouth, then it’s food!’

Not sure I agree with that.

Seen that a few times on TV “Border Security”. They are a bit fussy re Coffee as it can be used as a masking agent, I always declare regardless, I like my coffee!

 

[justinbrett]

Not sure what the regulation states, but the ABF advice is that a chocolate bar doesn’t need to be declares, even if containing nuts: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories/food

The only time you need to declare/discard chocolate is if it contains meat (for example bacon).

You may bring commercially prepared and packaged chocolate or confectionery into Australia as a personal import.​

Confectionery includes fudge, toffees, boiled sweets, peppermints, marshmallows and liquorice.​

Chocolate and confectionary must not contain meat, e.g. bacon.​

​

There is a separate section for nuts, which allows the importation of commercially packaged nuts which meet the criteria (shelled, vacuum packed, etc).

Nuts must be declared and are subject to inspection.

You could not inspect nuts internally in a chocolate bar.

Nowhere does it say chocolates containing nuts don’t need to be declared. However it does say all products containing nuts must be declared.

Again, by the letter of the regulation, you must declare it. That said, you’re probably fine to bring in a snickers.

 

[Beano]

Seen that a few times on TV “Border Security”. They are a bit fussy re Coffee as it can be used as a masking agent, I always declare regardless, I like my coffee!

There are regulations and limits on powders, which include coffee, sugar etc, which wouldn't otherwise be classified as requiring to be declared.

 

[opusman]

Nowhere does it say chocolates containing nuts don’t need to be declared. However it does say all products containing nuts must be declared.

Again, by the letter of the regulation, you must declare it. That said, you’re probably fine to bring in a snickers.

That's part of the problem, there's only a limited amount of information on the card, and chocolate does come under dairy (and parts of plants). Packaged tea is allowed but is also part of a plant, etc, etc.

Sure the website explains things but who checks that? A digital arrivals form can provide a lot more information at the time you're actually filling out the form.

 

[markis10]

There are regulations and limits on powders, which include coffee, sugar etc, which wouldn't otherwise be classified as requiring to be declared.

Indeed as a couple of parties Friday and Saturday found out in Sydney with a total of over 80kg! FWIW I am not talking about coffee in powder form, I take bags.