Australian customs and certain items
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,757
Australian customs and certain items
Been watching the tv show "Border Security" and seen loads of people getting stopped for not declaring various food items etc.
Two things I tend to bring with me are these sachets of Nescafe coffee and a certain brand of Oatflake cookies / biscuits that I snack on (flour, sugar, oats etc)
Would these be fine to bring into the country (I assume I have to declare them)?
Also, I run a bit and would naturally bring my running shoes as a run around Darling Harbour would be something I would be looking at doing.
Did see something where someone had some mud / dirt on some shoes in their baggage and could this be problematic? Wouldn't want to risk by not declaring, getting pulled over etc and losing the shoes if possible.
Two things I tend to bring with me are these sachets of Nescafe coffee and a certain brand of Oatflake cookies / biscuits that I snack on (flour, sugar, oats etc)
Would these be fine to bring into the country (I assume I have to declare them)?
Also, I run a bit and would naturally bring my running shoes as a run around Darling Harbour would be something I would be looking at doing.
Did see something where someone had some mud / dirt on some shoes in their baggage and could this be problematic? Wouldn't want to risk by not declaring, getting pulled over etc and losing the shoes if possible.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 280
Also, I run a bit and would naturally bring my running shoes as a run around Darling Harbour would be something I would be looking at doing.
Did see something where someone had some mud / dirt on some shoes in their baggage and could this be problematic? Wouldn't want to risk by not declaring, getting pulled over etc and losing the shoes if possible.
Did see something where someone had some mud / dirt on some shoes in their baggage and could this be problematic? Wouldn't want to risk by not declaring, getting pulled over etc and losing the shoes if possible.
I believe the customs question asks if you have been in a farm in the last couple of weeks that you need to declare it (which means they then check your shoes etc).
#3
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Canberra, Australia
Programs: QF, AA, BD, PC, HH, Hertz
Posts: 203
So long as the packet for the cookies wasnt open I dont think you would get any grief for these products, but you can check the Australian Quarantine website.
They wont take the shoes off you. They will just clean them if they are covered in mud, and only if you have worn them in certain areas.
My advice is to declare the items. They are really reasonable people so long as you are honest, it is the people who dont declare things that have problems.
They wont take the shoes off you. They will just clean them if they are covered in mud, and only if you have worn them in certain areas.
My advice is to declare the items. They are really reasonable people so long as you are honest, it is the people who dont declare things that have problems.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
In terms of bringing food items into Australia, it's not that these items are necessarily forbidden but they must be declared. if they're not allowed, there's no penalty (so all you've lost is the cost of the item). I imagine that the coffee will probably be OK and that the biscuits might well be.
On the other hand, if you don't declare something that ought to have been declared, then you might get into trouble.
With the shoes, the customs people might want to clean the mud off them. (This happened to me a few years ago after a golfing holiday when I went into Australia: my golf shoes had some dirt on them. So too did a couple of tees that I had, though I wasn't too worried about losing them, but no, they were cleaned too!) Of course, if you clean the shoes, particularly the soles, before you travel, then it shouldn't be a problem at all.
On the other hand, if you don't declare something that ought to have been declared, then you might get into trouble.
With the shoes, the customs people might want to clean the mud off them. (This happened to me a few years ago after a golfing holiday when I went into Australia: my golf shoes had some dirt on them. So too did a couple of tees that I had, though I wasn't too worried about losing them, but no, they were cleaned too!) Of course, if you clean the shoes, particularly the soles, before you travel, then it shouldn't be a problem at all.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: DJ, QF, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 2,984
I went trekking one time in Egypt, despite my cleaning, there's still sand everywhere in the shoes. Upon my return, I just told them where I've been and what I've been doing. End result was a 5 minute wait and a clean pair of shoes.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CBR
Programs: QF WP, AC*G
Posts: 1,223
Your coffee will be fine so long as it is declared. The oatcakes/biscuits should be fine as long as they are in unopened, commercial packaging and are fully cooked.
As noted above and you seem to have picked up on, simply declare that you are carrying food on your incoming passenger card. The Customs officer at the primary immigration line will likely ask what you are carrying. If the answers are fine you will get the right markings on your passenger card and be sent either straight through the customs and quarantine line or simply have your bags x-rayed.
As noted above and you seem to have picked up on, simply declare that you are carrying food on your incoming passenger card. The Customs officer at the primary immigration line will likely ask what you are carrying. If the answers are fine you will get the right markings on your passenger card and be sent either straight through the customs and quarantine line or simply have your bags x-rayed.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MEL
Posts: 2,441
May one ask why? The standard of the coffee in Sydney (where you appear to be going) may not be quite up to the standard of that in Australia's coffee capital (Melbourne) but I've never had a problem getting a decent cup of coffee in Sydney (unlike Perth, where it's impossible). I hear they even sell coffee (in a variety of forms) in the supermarket so don't really understand why you would want to bring something as relatively mediocre as Nescafé sachets? To each his own, obviously .... but please don't go to Starbucks. I'm in Tampa this week and was forced to settle for Starbucks yesterday - even with an extra shot, it was weak, watery and tasteless. It'll be nice to get back home to Melbourne and a decent cup of coffee. Even the coffee pods (Lavazza) in my hotel room are far superior to the Starbucks "coffee" I had yesterday.
#8
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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I remember entering Australia on a flight where they Xrayed everything for food and it took forever as people were forced to dig out the hidden contraband. I had some food in a readily accessible place, pulled it out and showed it to the officer and sailed through. IIRC I had real coffee and instant for my caffeine addiction, some non packaged cookies, chocolate, crackers, and processed fake cheese sealed in plastic.
I like to be assured of being able to make coffee in my hotel room and to be able to snack when I wake up in the middle of the night starving as part of jet lag. Most hotels don't offer appealing room service at all hours.
Something else to be aware of when going down under is that ingredients in many common over the counter medications are strictly forbidden. You need to remove the stray packet of cold pills from briefcase, purse, corner of suitcase, hidden backpack pocket, etc. or risk potentially serious legal problems.
I like to be assured of being able to make coffee in my hotel room and to be able to snack when I wake up in the middle of the night starving as part of jet lag. Most hotels don't offer appealing room service at all hours.
Something else to be aware of when going down under is that ingredients in many common over the counter medications are strictly forbidden. You need to remove the stray packet of cold pills from briefcase, purse, corner of suitcase, hidden backpack pocket, etc. or risk potentially serious legal problems.
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
...Something else to be aware of when going down under is that ingredients in many common over the counter medications are strictly forbidden. You need to remove the stray packet of cold pills from briefcase, purse, corner of suitcase, hidden backpack pocket, etc. or risk potentially serious legal problems.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 185
You should have no problems at all, and you probably won't even be slowed down, as long as you follow the advice already given and declare. I've brought all sorts of things in, once even loose cashews from Phuket, I was certain they would make me bin them, but they were happy when I told them they were roasted (didn't even want to look, just took my word)
It sounds as though perhaps you should bring all your shoes with you and tell them you've been walking in mud, since it appears that you will be given a high standard shoe-shine service courtesy of the Australian taxpayer
I'd like to put to bed the rumour that Melbourne is the coffee capital of Australia - you won't get better coffee anywhere in the world than you will in Sydney, just avoid chains. Any little cafe anywhere in the city will make the perfect cup, it's enshrined in State law and inferior baristas are taken off to re-education camps. This doesn't apply to the city of Newcastle for some reason, where coffee is consistently rubbish.
Curious as to why you would want to bring instant coffee? Of course, if Nescafe really is your preference Melbourne may be a better place for you ...
It sounds as though perhaps you should bring all your shoes with you and tell them you've been walking in mud, since it appears that you will be given a high standard shoe-shine service courtesy of the Australian taxpayer
I'd like to put to bed the rumour that Melbourne is the coffee capital of Australia - you won't get better coffee anywhere in the world than you will in Sydney, just avoid chains. Any little cafe anywhere in the city will make the perfect cup, it's enshrined in State law and inferior baristas are taken off to re-education camps. This doesn't apply to the city of Newcastle for some reason, where coffee is consistently rubbish.
Curious as to why you would want to bring instant coffee? Of course, if Nescafe really is your preference Melbourne may be a better place for you ...
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,757
The coffee I like are those one cup sachets that have mocha etc flavourings. Like to just empty one into a cup at night or whenever and add hot water. It's what I'm used to at home.
Will very occasionally drink normal black coffee but do prefer the flavoured ones.
Will very occasionally drink normal black coffee but do prefer the flavoured ones.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA
Programs: AA EP + million miler DL PL Med + million miler
Posts: 129
We are arriving in SYD next month. My wife has plans to bring packaged protein bars, etc. with us. It sounds like simply declairing them should allow us to pass easily. I think they are trying to prevent raw meat and produce from entering their country. That seems appropriate.
We would welcome any comments on the subject.
We would welcome any comments on the subject.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 185
We are arriving in SYD next month. My wife has plans to bring packaged protein bars, etc. with us. It sounds like simply declairing them should allow us to pass easily. I think they are trying to prevent raw meat and produce from entering their country. That seems appropriate.
We would welcome any comments on the subject.
We would welcome any comments on the subject.
Just make sure that you declare it. Even if items are allowed and you don't declare them you can be fined.
Enjoy your trip to Sydney, I'd enjoy reading your comments after you've been here.
#14
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 185
Fair enough. If you run out during your trip those sachets are readily available in supermarkets and convenience stores.