When will Australia get modern entry procedures?

[Aeryn]

I often bring the unopened koko black chocolate bar given on board into Australia to eat later. This does not have to be declared as chocolate is allowed and even when declared always waived through as not an issue.

The ask not to bring plane food relates to food containing prohibited items like fruit and veg.

 

[TomVexille]

The fact that Australia makes you fill out a paper form for every individual is backwards in itself. Why not one form for a family like other countries?

 

[dajop]

Which is illegal.

View attachment 491933

This one always puzzled me, for packaged processed food like chocolate bars, chips and the like, how would they know it came from the plane and not from the point of origin (and why would it matter )?

I get these rules are written with the semi-fresh/ frozen and reheated food served up during meal service in mind, so I suspect no one is ever going to be prosecuted if they bring in a mars bar they took from the plane.

 

[Warks]

Late to the party but on my last trip from CHC (NZ) to SYD they didn't hand out forms and then I discovered that you could do it electronically on that route on QF. Luckily the wifi was working so I could fill it out on the plane. No issue on landing.
Also someone said they avoid the early machines when they come off the plane and go to the ones near the exit. Last time I came in there weren't any apart from all the machines at the exit. I did come a weird way back into the terminal, felt like I was coming out from underground somewhere.

 

[Melburnian1]

Inbound flights to Singapore basically do not promote paper arrival forms.

Those who have not completed theirs online generally get to use the tablets lined up in the arrivals hall before proceeding through the auto gates. There are plenty of staff to assist.

Apologies for the ambiguity. I was referring to an SQ flight from SIN to MEL, so inbound to Oz.

 

[kpro]

So ironic that people wanting "modern" then complain about the inconsistency and other difficulties with the implementation and use.

It is just so much easier and consistent with a paper/card UI. If it ain't broken

I just personally think it'd be more consistent as a Government run website. My personal opinion is that putting the UI on each airline and their app will create inconsistency for the Australian form.

Why 60?

That's approximately the number of different Airlines that fly into Australia.

 

[kpro]

Most airline apps are just embedded websites, so I think this debate is just semantics. I’m almost certain the QF US contact tracing form can be filled out on their website or in the app. Likewise for BA.

If someone is flying so frequently on so many airlines I think they’ll be smart enough to work it out. I disagree with your comments about inconsistent UI within the same airline, especially compared to the alternative of a different website for each country, many of which using different terminology and some requiring user accounts and verified emails and/or phone numbers.

People manage to book tickets, manage bookings and check in on various airline websites and apps, this is no different. For those that struggle there will be a paper/assisted option like there is in Japan and Singapore but the masses will be encouraged to go digital.

The entry form is currently app only, it could change like previously mentioned but that's an assumption.

The rest we can agree to disagree.

 

[justinbrett]

The entry form is currently app only, it could change like previously mentioned but that's an assumption.

The rest we can agree to disagree.

I’m talking about a mature solution, not the current limited trial.

 

[Himeno]

I don’t think you got my point - they no longer distribute Japan arrival cards to airlines. You won’t be given anything on the plane.

If you don’t want to do the digital version you have to get a paper form inside the terminal - the airline won’t have any.

They do still offer the Japan arrivals card to airlines. Some airlines chose not to take it.
JAL was handing it out in flight only a few months ago for MEL-NRT.

 

[Quickstatus]

I just personally think it'd be more consistent as a Government run website IPC card

I've corrected some typo.

But for those who must have an electronic UI. The arrival info is a legal document. So long as the required elements are in the data collection UI, I don't see how differences between apps matter. Again it's a problem looking for a solution.

 

[kpro]

I've corrected some typo.

Not sure why you think it's a typo? Maybe I'm still not clear.

I personally think the incoming passenger form would be more consistent if it were on a Government run website, like how other countries currently do it. I'm not saying it has to stay as a physical card.

Unless you mean your preference is that it remains a card, in which case please don't change the wording of my quoted sentences.

 

[Quickstatus]

Government run website

The typo has reappeared.
Should be:

"Government run incoming passenger card"

The IPC has had decades of consistency across 60? Airlines.

That's approximately the number of different Airlines that fly into Australia.

Is the number AI generated?

 

[justinbrett]

They do still offer the Japan arrivals card to airlines. Some airlines chose not to take it.
JAL was handing it out in flight only a few months ago for MEL-NRT.

I would say most airlines don't take it, judging by online reports and also the crowd of people I've seen madly trying to complete them in the terminal on multiple occasions.

JL didn't hand them out when I last flew with them inbound (which was 2024). I certainly wouldn't count on it.

 

[Quickstatus]

Again it's a problem looking for a solution.

No!, it's a solution looking for a problem

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Which is illegal.

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Commercially packaged and unopened snacks such as chocolate bars or crisps. I declare them. Not gonna throw away good food. You never know when you’re gonna want a snack at 2am when you have jet lag! Not trying to bring in the leftover steak or apple

 

[Aeryn]

Commercially packaged and unopened snacks such as chocolate bars or crisps. I declare them. Not gonna throw away good food. You never know when you’re gonna want a snack at 2am when you have jet lag! Not trying to bring in the leftover steak or apple

Exactly where are you declaring choclate an chips? There isnt a question on the card to cover these allowed items unless you have commercial quantities?

There was an earlier version that used to ask if you had "food" but im guessing customs got sick of waiving through lollies and chocolate for a vague question and reverted to current questions which only ask about prohibited iteme.

 

[jase05]

Commercially packaged and unopened snacks such as chocolate bars or crisps. I declare them. Not gonna throw away good food. You never know when you’re gonna want a snack at 2am when you have jet lag! Not trying to bring in the leftover steak or apple

Have never declared chocolates and I quite often take the ones home that are given out by the airlines.

I do agree that I hate the paper card and as most of my flights are overnight back to Australia I request them on boarding and fill them out whilst waiting to depart.