Incoming Passenger Card and declarations

[harvyk]

Remember that with shows like boarder security, they are more interested in making good TV (and recruiting Customs \ AQIS officers ) than showing an accurate portrail of inbound immigration.

The basic rules are if you have something to declare - declare it, if your not sure - declare it. Only answer no to everything if your 100% sure that's the truth (or you plan to dispose of the item in question in one of the bins prior to getting to AQIS)

From my experience (inc the time I did some work for AQIS at SYD) They only really give you a hard time if your a smart cough, or you try to hide something.

 

[medhead]

After coming in from a long flight the last thing I appreciate is a long queue, bags xrayed and so on - especially when I'm coming from US where I'm unlikely to have anything that will hurt Australia in some way - after all that is the point of checking baggage - to make sure that there isn't something that will hurt Australia's primary industry.

Coming from the USA your unlikely to have anything that can hurt Australia?

What besides rabies, foot in mouth, BSE (madcow diesese), exotic wildlife, exotic plants, wood containing south american super termites, exotic bugs or microbes. Then, of course, AQIS are x raying to protect primary industry, but ACS x-ray to enforce the importation and taxation laws. So there is also cocaine, heroi_, crystal meth, speed, E, and so on, illegal firearms (but the USA isn't that into firearms ), other illegal weapons, untaxed booze, untaxed tobacco, untaxed perfume, untaxed consumer goods, cash, and of course food. Don't joke about Hershey bars, as my wife's cousin had her USA chocolattes taken by customs or AQIS. Seems that a suitcase full isn't personal use

 

[MrHyde]

In my experience, when I have travelled with my infant son, they always double check the food part of the declaration. I hate going through red line, so make sure all food is disposed of. Even then, the customs guy will ask me 2-3 times - are you sure you have no food, no baby food, no biscuits, no fruits for the baby. Once, I still got sent to the red channel where the guy asked the same thing and then just let us through.

It seems they can't fathom a family with a baby travelling without any food items or actually using the bins to dispose of it before customs.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

If you have been lucky enough to meet a Customs Officer whilst waiting for your bags, they will stamp the form. This stamp then gets you out without further xrays, checks etc.

This is for QUARANTINE and not customs, these green stamps. The green stamp does not mean you are leaving without an x-ray or further check either. It means Quarantine is happy with you, customs still may be interested in you though.

 

[Keith009]

I always have to declare my shopping as they exceed the tax free allowance. However have never once been charged on the excess as, according to some nice Customs folk I spoke to, they're more interested in stuff you're likely to re-sell such as electronic goods. The stuff I'm declaring are mainly clothes and accessories such as shoes and bags, I suppose they could see that all the stuff are for personal use and I'm not attempting to smuggle anything in.

99% of the time I've been waved straight through to the Express lane or when it's not open - the "nothing to declare" line. Only once or twice have I been sent down the "something to declare" line - and even there the officers usually wave me straight through after putting my bags through the scanner.

 

[blu]

what about prescription pills like Xanax.

 

[GoldCoastGuy]

The stuff I'm declaring are mainly clothes and accessories such as shoes and bags,

I thought clothes for personal use (even if purchased overseas) didn't count in the $900 limit anyway.


Evan :->

 

[Dave Noble]

I thought clothes for personal use (even if purchased overseas) didn't count in the $900 limit anyway.

Umm, why wouldn't they?

 

[GoldCoastGuy]

Because it says here:

duty free concession

Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, and articles for personal hygiene and grooming (excluding fur and perfume concentrates) may be brought into Australia in your accompanied baggage, free from duty and tax.

 

[stryker]

And don't forget the racial profiling.

Anyone who doesn't have blue eyes and blond hair will know what I mean.

 

[Keith009]

And don't forget the racial profiling.

Anyone who doesn't have blue eyes and blond hair will know what I mean.

I don't have either of those physical characteristics but still fail to understand what you mean....

 

[Keith009]

I thought clothes for personal use (even if purchased overseas) didn't count in the $900 limit anyway.


Evan :->

I've got contradictory info on that one. Someone said if they were newly bought I have to declare them, whereas another agent concurred with your statement. So being unsure, I tick yes anyway.

A good solution would be to wear the clothes whilst on the trip, but I like to leave them shiny and new as it's so much fun unwrapping them when i get home.

 

[stryker]

I don't have either of those physical characteristics but still fail to understand what you mean....

What I mean is that Sol Trujillo was 100% right.

And, you can't be very observant.

 

[Keith009]

What I mean is that Sol Trujillo was 100% right.

And, you can't be very observant.

Oh yes Sol Trujillo is 100% objective too. At least he didn't set his own car on fire though.

And more accurately, I don't suffer from a victim syndrome and hence do not go around finding discrimination where it doesn't exist.

 

[davidj-bell]

what about prescription pills like Xanax.

To be safest, get your doctor to write a letter explaining what the drug is and what it's for.

 

[Hvr]

My GP actually had a program that he just entered a couple of details and out came the letter explaining why I had prescription medicine and that I needed to take it with me overseas.

Haven't had to show it yet but good to know it is there if required.

 

[medhead]

To be safest, get your doctor to write a letter explaining what the drug is and what it's for.

Yep, good to get a letter.

Also remember that an Australian issued prescription will have the details on the label. As long as the name matches your ID i reckon that would be good enough when entering australian.

 

[KateMayo]

Returning home, I always declare something as I've always got something to declare (usually lollies)

Often as not, I get waved straight through.

Recently filled out the declaration for entry to the US at ORD and ticked yes for food (as always) – never got asked what the food was – in fact, the only question asked of me was how long I was going to be there. My first trip to the US (LHR-ORD-SFO-DFW-ANC-DFW-SFO-JFK-SYD) with just a two-day stop in SFO, expecting the dreaded SSSS, and that was the only question).

I always have to declare my shopping as they exceed the tax free allowance.

You're a legend, Keith

 

[JohnK]

As far as I am aware there are no tricks to getting through Australian quarantine quickly. Most times it is a lottery if you get asked to go straight through or go to x-ray or even secondary. Just because someone declares something does not mean an automatic exit through the green channel.

Apart from secondary screening a couple of times the most I have had to wait in the quarantine queues is 10-15 minutes.

My comment is just an observation of the way Australia (specifically the customs/quarantine check) treats incoming passengers compared with many other parts of the world.

Passport control into Australia is normal as per other parts of the world but once you've collected your bags and want to get out it becomes a lottery as to what happens to you next.

On return to Australia, 1/3 of time our cases are xrayed - never an explanation or apology given.

Would have to agree with these statements although I would say that my luggage is x-rayed >50% of the time.

The luxury of Asian ports is that there is no red or green channel - you just walk out!

From memory BKK has distinct "Something to Declare" (Red) or "Nothing to Declare" (Green) exits. Most people walk out the green exit and there is an x-ray machine there and people are selected at random for bags to be checked through the x-ray.

I am sure I have seen the red and green exits at other airports in Asia (SIN?) and have also seen it in some European airports like ATH.

what about prescription pills like Xanax.

Apparently you need to tick question 1 on the form for any prescription medication. When asked what I am declaring I say "Bringing back my own prescription medication".

I do carry a letter from my doctor but no one has ever asked to see it.

 

[anat0l]

From memory BKK has distinct "Something to Declare" (Red) or "Nothing to Declare" (Green) exits. Most people walk out the green exit and there is an x-ray machine there and people are selected at random for bags to be checked through the x-ray.

I am sure I have seen the red and green exits at other airports in Asia (SIN?) and have also seen it in some European airports like ATH.

I guess I didn't mean to say what I said literally.

Yes there are signed lanes as you state, but they are lax enforced. Sometimes there are no signs - just counters (i.e. "everyone" gets inspected). Again, I find these are lax enforced - in many cases I have approached the customs counters and no one is there, so just walk out.

In any case, the inspections for most people at Asian airports is very quick (lightning speed compared to Australian airports); whether this means the enforcement is lax / failing its objectives is a whole different thing (although one has to remember that Australia and New Zealand have unarguably the most cough-retentively strict biosecurity and quarantine laws in the world, possibly the universe).