CHC to PER via MEL - Customs/ Immigration clearance & checked bags

[Gtstcactus]

I’m flying to GLA from CHC (via MEL, PER & LHR) in October. I’m a little unsure about where I clear customs & immigration and collect my checked bags in Australia.

My flights, including return flights back to CHC are all on the same ticket.

My flight to MEL (QF132) is scheduled to arrive at 15:40 (12/10).

My flight to PER (QF779) departs at 17:45 (12/10).

I initially thought my bags would go through to PER where I would collect them (assuming Qantas don’t lose them), meaning I don’t need to collect them at MEL.

However as the MEL-PER flight is a domestic flight, I assume I’ll have to clear immigration at MEL before flying to PER??? On the same basis, won’t I have to clear customs at MEL?

If I have to clear customs I assume I’ll need to collect my checked bags at MEL in case customs want a look and then drop them at QF bag drop in MEL to join me flying to PER.

Can someone advise what the deal is for this? Where do I clear immigration and customs? All at MEL? Immigration at MEL, customs at PER??? Do I stay airside at MEL?

I’m staying overnight in PER before flying on QF9 so I’ll presumably be collecting checked bags at PER.

I’d ask QF staff at the airport on the day but read a few posts about people getting wrong advice from them which makes me nervous!

Also wondering if the transit time (125 mins, assuming no delays) between flight arriving in MEL and departing MEL for PER is enough???? For added difficulty I will have to talk to someone at immigration / provide a letter from Aus High Commission in NZ (sit in the naughty box while they look me up before letting me in). Doesn’t normally take too long, maybe 10-15 minutes.

 

[exceladdict]

I’m flying to GLA from CHC (via MLB, PER & LHR) in October. I’m a little unsure about where I clear customs & immigration and collect my checked bags in Australia.

My flights, including return flights back to CHC are all on the same ticket.

My flight to MLB (QF132) is scheduled to arrive at 15:40 (12/10).

My flight to PER (QF779) departs at 17:45 (12/10).

I initially thought my bags would go through to PER where I would collect them (assuming Qantas don’t lose them), meaning I don’t need to collect them at MLB.

However as the MLB-PER flight is a domestic flight, I assume I’ll have to clear immigration at MLB before flying to PER??? On the same basis, won’t I have to clear customs at MLB?

If I have to clear customs I assume I’ll need to collect my checked bags at MLB in case customs want a look and then drop them at QF bag drop in MLB to join me flying to PER.

Can someone advise what the deal is for this? Where do I clear immigration and customs? All at MLB? Immigration at MLB, customs at PER??? Do I stay airside at MLB?

I’m staying overnight in PER before flying on QF9 so I’ll presumably be collecting checked bags at PER.

I’d ask QF staff at the airport on the day but read a few posts about people getting wrong advice from them which makes me nervous!

Also wondering if the transit time (125 mins, assuming no delays) between flight arriving in MLB and departing MLB for PER is enough???? For added difficulty I will have to talk to someone at immigration / provide a letter from Aus High Commission in NZ (sit in the naughty box while they look me up before letting me in). Doesn’t normally take too long, maybe 10-15 minutes.

Based on what you've described I imagine:

• Check bags, Immigration and customs in MEL
• I wouldn't stress about the stopover - you should make it assuming no delays, but there are normally plenty of MEL-PER flights they could bump you to if running late - of course you should have travel insurance "just in case"
• Recheck bags for domestic - you will need to be careful to ensure they are not through-checked to LHR/GLA if you want them overnight
• Recheck bags and do outbound customs to LHR/GLA
• And I imagine do the same again (bags, customs, re-check) in LHR as the LHR-GLA will be domestic, but it's been a while since I've done an LHR INT-DOM so not sure what that looks like these days

 

[Princess Fiona]

I have updated your post with the correct airport code for Melbourne Tullamarine which is MEL.
Saves any confusion.

To answer your questions.
Your bag will be checked through to MEL.
You will land at the International terminal, clear immigration and collect your bag and clear customs before rechecking it at the Domestic check-in. They are separate terminals but beside each other. Assuming everything goes smoothly your transit time is sufficient.

You will collect your baggage on arrival at PER and re-check it next day where it will go through to GLA. You do not recheck it at LHR. It will go all the way through.

 

[Gtstcactus]

I have updated your post with the correct airport code for Melbourne Tullamarine which is MEL.
Saves any confusion.

To answer your questions.
Your bag will be checked through to MEL.
You will land at the International terminal, clear immigration and collect your bag and clear customs before rechecking it at the Domestic check-in. They are separate terminals but beside each other. Assuming everything goes smoothly your transit time is sufficient.

You will collect your baggage on arrival at PER and re-check it next day where it will go through to GLA. You do not recheck it at LHR. It will go all the way through.

Apologies and thank you for correcting and information.

 

[Mwenenzi]

For entry into AU you always clear immigration, customs & bio-security, with all checked and carry on bags at the first port of AU entry.
If doing an AU international to international airside transit all you do is an arrival to departure security check. In AU international arrivals and departures are physically separate.

The CHC-MEL QF132 schedule seems to be padded (for the prevailing head wind). Often arrives early. [A flight I have taken many times]
A flight from Sri Lanka can arrive about the same time. Luck of the draw if before or after. If after the queue for customs can be long and disorganised (many many bags)
From T2 to T3 is up 1 level and 3 minute walk (to the left). Bag drop, security and then to the gate.

For seating selection you may be able to improve what you have at T-80hrs. For QF132 (13:55-15:40) that is 05:55 [3.33 days before]

Enjoy the (long) trip !

.

 

[jpp42]

the LHR-GLA will be domestic, but it's been a while since I've done an LHR INT-DOM so not sure what that looks like these days

It hasn't changed recently. If travelling on a single ticket or your airline has otherwise checked bags to the final destination, you don't collect them at LHR when connecting to a domestic flight, you only pass through immigration and security. This is basically because UK customs doesn't require passengers to collect their bags at the first port of entry, unlike most other countries. The customs check is done at the final domestic destination (although it's a bit casual at many domestic UK ports).

 

[exceladdict]

It hasn't changed recently. If travelling on a single ticket or your airline has otherwise checked bags to the final destination, you don't collect them at LHR when connecting to a domestic flight, you only pass through immigration and security. This is basically because UK customs doesn't require passengers to collect their bags at the first port of entry, unlike most other countries. The customs check is done at the final domestic destination (although it's a bit casual at many domestic UK ports).

Awesome, thanks for clarifying. I can't recall what we did transiting HEL/LHR/BHD a while back.