Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Bringing food into Australia

First off I would like to thank everyone for their help in the immigration to Australia thread.

My Trip to Oz is about less than 2 weeks away and boy and I psyched. I just have one quick question.. Is ANY food "officially" allowed into the country if declared. On my last trip I had Chocolate malt balls with me which of course i declared and told Australia Customs that they could pitch They let me keep them in Sydney. Does this mean if I bring a box of chocolates into Australia ????

They pretty much decide on a case by case basis. I think chocolates will probably be OK. Whatever you do, don't lie to or BS them and tell them exactly what kind of food you have down to the last bread crumb. When I went thru Perth last month he just asked me if I had any food, I said no and was waved through but they *SEEMED* to be x-raying the bags of anyone who wasn't Australian. Everybody's bags got sniffed by the dogs.

There's only one answer to this - declare it.

They're worried about infection -- i.e. meat, dairy and anything else uncooked. Anything that is heaviliy processed and factory-wrapped etc will probably be OK, so chocolate I'd say would be allowed through. My mum got a Christmas pudding through (she'd cooked it herself).

If they Xray you and pick up something that wasn't declared, you are liable for hefty fines. And I've heard others argue that it's quicker to declare something simple and thereby miss the queues for the Xray!

The dogs are probably more interested in drugs, I'd imagine.

I've taken chocolate through before, like all food it must be declared.

The website for further info:
http://www.daff.gov.au/content/publications.cfm?Category=Australian%20Quarantine% 20fixand%20Inspection%20Service&ObjectID=91BEA21E-F661-4C28-993E5D87CAB8AF20

The dogs are probably more interested in drugs, I'd imagine.

I was in SYD recently where the dog stopped at a bag. It was a simple shopping bag but apparently the lady had stored bananas in it which she ate on the flight. So the dogs are looking for drugs - but probably fruit also.

To the OP - just declare all food. Processed foods such as chocolates are OK, but declare it and be safe.

I had some shelled Hawaiian macadamias with me when I entered last week. I wasn't sure, so I declared them. They just xrayed my bags and let me go. I'd say that 10% of the people got sent to the 'tard line. They do have the dog around, so I'd try and be legit. Primarily meat/fruit is what they're looking for.

S. Korea made me give up my dried beef jerky (but I forgot I had a half bag in my carryon), which luckily I ate before I went to Oz.

As a rule, not oo much trouble- We've even brought in Velveeta, after explaining to customs agents that it would outlast the human race and cockroaches in case of nuclear war. (They laughed when they realized how processed it was!)
Another good thing about declaring items going into OZ, we've found that the customs lines are usually much shorter than lines for people with nothing to declare-
One new thing we learned on our last trip: customs agents used to have some "wiggle room" for tobacco, alcohol, etc. No more- we've previously brought in 6- 8 cartons of cigarettes total and 4- 5 liters of alcohol with no problem. This time we got hit with big duty- oh well, still cheaper, I think, than purchasing in OZ- and some of the things we brought in are not available at all.

Brought in a jar of vegemite two weeks ago to Adelaide airport - I went to to the "red line" and was out the door in a few minutes. The "Green Line" had every single passenger getting xrayed and bags being opened. So there is much truth to bringing in something processed.

Yes - they let me keep my vegemite.

As a rule, not oo much trouble- We've even brought in Velveeta, after explaining to customs agents that it would outlast the human race and cockroaches in case of nuclear war. (They laughed when they realized how processed it was!)
Another good thing about declaring items going into OZ, we've found that the customs lines are usually much shorter than lines for people with nothing to declare-
One new thing we learned on our last trip: customs agents used to have some "wiggle room" for tobacco, alcohol, etc. No more- we've previously brought in 6- 8 cartons of cigarettes total and 4- 5 liters of alcohol with no problem. This time we got hit with big duty- oh well, still cheaper, I think, than purchasing in OZ- and some of the things we brought in are not available at all.


By the way, Velveeta was for our daughter who grew up in US and loves it for grilled cheese, etc. IMHO, :(

I had two .5 liter bottles of gatorade in my bag left from my previous stop in Hong Kong. I declared, they inspected, and let me thru when they determined that the bottles were sealed. As others have said, declare everything.

I've never had any problems bringing chocolates in - and I always bring chocolates home! Just declare them and you'll be fine.

Audrey

Brought in a jar of vegemite two weeks ago to Adelaide airport - I went to to the "red line" and was out the door in a few minutes. The "Green Line" had every single passenger getting xrayed and bags being opened. So there is much truth to bringing in something processed.

Yes - they let me keep my vegemite.
I'm sorry but this has been bugging me. Why would you take Vegemite INTO Australia? :confused: ;)

Chocolate is fine, just declare it...along with anything edible. My friend had Starburst candy and they gave her a hard time for not declaring it.

Beef jerky is a definite no-no..but salmon jerky is fine.

Also, take the red line...it goes much quicker than the green one.

Have a great trip.

Hi!

Agree with others, DECLARE IT! They aren't asking you if you have any food that you think you're not allowed to bring into Australia etc, they're asking have you any food!

Usually if it's packaged food, like from the US (chocolate, cookies etc) they'll let it in. They won't let in, meat, fruit, vegetables etc.

Last time I came home I bought back chocolate, oatmeal serves (didn't finish the box), lemonade mix etc and they let it all in.

They will get upset and go through everything if you don't declare it or lie!

And yes the red line is usually shorter and unless you're declaring something `bad' (which of course you disposed of before now :p ) you'll get through faster than those with nothing to declare!

Ernie