Getting waved through customs

[turtlemichael]

On Tuesday I flew into SYD from AKL and, after clearing Immigration and eventually getting to the head of the quarantine inspection/customs queue, I got asked if I had any fruit and then got waved through and straight out the door. This is the 4th time in a row that this has happened. The other three trips were returns from the US (including French Polynesia and Costa Rica), from Thailand and New Zealand again.

Is this a record? Am I candidate to be recruited as a drug runner? Or am I heady for the full inspection next time?

I recall a number of years ago coming through CNS and getting the full going over. I had mortal fears (or was it gleeful anticipation?) of a cavity search. That situation was maybe brought about because i had in my hand luggage, which the preliminary inspection found, a number of pamphlets on the practice of drug taking and such delights as how to safely shoot up, as I was then doing volunteer work on a safe needle and syringe exchange program for drug users.

I guess no one should travel with me next time. :shock:

 

[samh004]

I entered NZ once and had everything searched, even messed with the Customs officer playing coy and asking if he wanted my other passport and ID card alas, nothing was found and the real smuggler got through that night.

But have been waved through at Brisbane before, quite useful when that happens.

As an aside, I don’t think I’d be happy with a cavity search!

 

[yohy?!]

I've been waved through 5 times out of my last 6 returns to SYD. The last time I was approached at the carousel and had my customs form stamped so when I got to the queue they just pointed me to the door.

 

[tuapekastar]

On Tuesday I flew into SYD from AKL and, after clearing Immigration and eventually getting to the head of the quarantine inspection/customs queue, I got asked if I had any fruit and then got waved through and straight out the door.

I also flew AKL-SYD on Tuesday (QF56 - were you on that one?) and simply got asked 'anything to declare'? After my 'no' response, I was waved though without any x-ray...must say I had been under the impression x-raying luggage was more-or-less mandatory these days, but obviously not.

 

[turtlemichael]

I was on LA801.

I guess all us AFFers must look honest.

 

[markis10]

Whatever you do dont take coffee and then try to bring it back - especially after a weekend in NAN.

 

[straitman]

Whatever you do dont take coffee and then try to bring it back - especially after a weekend in NAN.

Why :?:

I often take sachels of coffee and always declare them and still get waved through on most occasions.

 

[samh004]

My dad got stopped once for taking an Apple from the CNS lounge onto the plane and off with him in BNE (on INT CX flight). Customs didn’t even believe the “Australian grown” sticker meant it was from Australia.

 

[markis10]

Why :?:

I often take sachels of coffee and always declare them and still get waved through on most occasions.

I believe its a masking agent for drugs, at least that was the reason they gave me for the very thorough going over I got in BNE, wanted to know where I had stayed (the mocambo - agent reckons it did not exist until I pointed out its popular with aircrew from Atlas and Fedex, its now the Novotel), why I spent the weekend there etc etc.

I am looking forward to my status run in a few months where I have 3 hours at NAN, that should be interesting to explain

 

[JetLagged]

We've been waived through Customs in Sydney on a number of occasions now - whether from Europe or Asia. I must say - the wave has been even quicker when travelling with an over-80 yo mother in a wheelchair!

As to the comment about mandatory X-raying of baggage at Customs stage - wonder if the UK has ever heard of this - every time I fly into OHR there are no Customs officers in sight, or else two of them standing around chatting. Of course, the amount of time that it takes for ones baggage to come through more than makes up for any delay at Customs!

 

[drron]

More often than not i get waved through.Two occasions stand out.One was last year transitting LHR when I was strip searched:shock:.No cavities were entered though.
second was January 1970 when arriving back from POM on TAA.Travelling with my back pack.Went through everything at Sydney customs.The questioning went something like-Have you got cigarrettes,alcohol OR DRUGS.No.Have you got x,y or DRUGS.I guess it must have been about 6,7 times I got the "or drugs".They then went through everything again,unrolling my sleeping bag,looking in all pockets and they found the 3 radios,6 watches etc that i had carefully hidden but because I had no OR DRUGS they let me go without even a warning.

 

[Voyages]

Reading this reminds me of my ‘little encounter’ with BNE customs once, after I had arrived from LAX. I was stopped and asked to open my suitcase full of unwashed, i.e. dirty, clothes, and they checked one by one, including undies (ugh). ​

They scanned my case 3 times, and did all of those wiping/checking we see on Border Security. They even talked about breaking up a wooden plaque, which was an award that I had won in DC. I was terrified... so tired and nervous that I couldn't give them straight answers, which made it worse. They said I was stopped because:
(1) I was too young for J class (what? ask QF009 or anat0l, who're flying F heaps)
(2) I looked like I was in a big rush (of course, I didn’t want to miss the connecting flight to ADL)
(3) I had irregular travel patterns (couldn’t help it… had to go where those meetings were) ​

​

They promised they’d help to repack the case, but they didn’t, and it took me a long time to put everything back in again. It was embarrassing and out there in full public view.​

 

[samh004]

They promised they’d help to repack the case, but they didn’t, and it took me a long time to put everything back in again. It was embarrassing and out there in full public view.​

If I didn’t have anywhere to be I’d insist on a search being done privately, knowing full well they’d expect a confession but not giving them anything as I’m not a smuggler

 

[Voyages]

If I didn’t have anywhere to be I’d insist on a search being done privately, knowing full well they’d expect a confession but not giving them anything as I’m not a smuggler

That'd for sure get you on Border Security, Sam

 

[anat0l]

Even though I live in BNE, for the last many, many international trips I've arrived in Australia through SYD or MEL.

Most of the time, there has been little problem. I've had to declare something all the time, but it's fairly quick in all cases: "What have you got?", "Show it to me", "That's fine". Usually once I get to a bench, it takes me about 5 minutes or less.

I have been waved through a couple of times whilst lining up, e.g. I'll be in the line, they ask what I've got and I tell them. Even though I haven't opened up my bags to show what I've got, they'll let me cut out of line and exit.

Apparently BNE is pretty strict when it comes to customs. Very lucky if you get waved through, but often the customs agents will tend to make life harder for you. They've been hardened by the number of attempted "bypasses" of the quarantine laws they've experienced in years gone by (particularly by Asians). My parents have not gone through BNE in the last two years without either having been thoroughly interrogated or having at least one item confiscated from them. Why do you think I'd prefer to clear customs in anywhere except BNE?

 

[Reggie]

One was last year transitting LHR when I was strip searched:shock:.No cavities were entered though.

What the hell did you do to warrant a full strip search?:shock:

 

[chanteuse]

I was approached when I was walking towards customs at Sydney on my way back from a snowboarding trip in the US. The official said "Have you been snowboarding? - glad to see you're back in one piece" and stamped my card!

I hope for the same next time!

 

[drron]

What the hell did you do to warrant a full strip search?:shock:

Just because i wore a knee brace.I guess they thought drugs strapped to my leg.Then again they did seem to enjoy the experience-in a humiliate you way.I dropped my pants first and they obviously could see I was not a drug runner but proceeded anyway.

 

[blueflamenco]

^^ They make you get into the nud?? :shock:

 

[drron]

^^ They make you get into the nud?? :shock:

Still had my knee brace on:shock:.And only had to unbutton my shirt.