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-   -   "Food" no longer needs to be declared into Australia (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/oceania-australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1413889-food-no-longer-needs-declared-into-australia.html)

docbert Dec 4, 2012 12:28 pm

"Food" no longer needs to be declared into Australia
 
When filling out an Incoming Passenger Form last week to enter Australia I noticed that none of the questions actually asked if I was carrying "Food" as it did previously, but only certain types of food.

I asked about this at immigration the officer said "question 6", but when I shows him that it no longer said food even he was surprised! The form is dated 11/12 so I'm guessing it's only a new change.

The questions now ask if you have :

6. Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables?
7. Grains, seeds, bulbs, straw, nuts, plants, parts of plants, traditional medicines or herbs, wooden articles?
8. Animals, parts of animals, animal products including equipment, pet food, eggs, biologicals, specimens, birds, fish, insects, shells, bee products?

Previously question 6 was "Any food - includes dried, fresh, preserved, cooked, uncooked?"

Thus it seems if you just have generic food that is not one of the categories listed (including things like chocolate/candy/etc, biscuits, etc) then there should be no need to declare them.

There's a sample of the new form here.

mario33 Dec 4, 2012 4:15 pm

And they have stopped putting exit stamps on your passport, going green I guess ;)

im-headed-west Dec 4, 2012 5:48 pm


Originally Posted by mario33 (Post 19796542)
And they have stopped putting exit stamps on your passport, going green I guess ;)

I got stamped exiting SYD on Nov 30

mario33 Dec 4, 2012 6:28 pm


Originally Posted by im-headed-west (Post 19797070)
I got stamped exiting SYD on Nov 30

Not me 3 days later, immigration officer confirmed they don't do it anymore but he was more than happy to oblige if I wanted the stamp which I declined.

docbert Dec 4, 2012 8:47 pm


Originally Posted by mario33 (Post 19796542)
And they have stopped putting exit stamps on your passport, going green I guess ;)

They've also stopped doing physical visas in passports for many (all?) types of visas, unless you pay an additional fee.

DJ Bitterbarn Dec 4, 2012 11:39 pm

This is going to be terrible news for the producers of "Border Security". That's half their material gone right there.

Leumas Dec 5, 2012 2:38 pm

I think it may be an over-sight and a result of 'design by committee'. However, you can argue the wording is even more over-arching now. Most food will consist of some of the materials mentioned in the questions...

I also notice you no longer have to declare prescription medicines or even over-the-counter drugs...

dddc Dec 8, 2012 1:35 pm


Originally Posted by docbert (Post 19795197)
When filling out an Incoming Passenger Form last week to enter Australia I noticed that none of the questions actually asked if I was carrying "Food" as it did previously, but only certain types of food.

I asked about this at immigration the officer said "question 6", but when I shows him that it no longer said food even he was surprised! The form is dated 11/12 so I'm guessing it's only a new change.

The questions now ask if you have :

6. Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables?
7. Grains, seeds, bulbs, straw, nuts, plants, parts of plants, traditional medicines or herbs, wooden articles?
8. Animals, parts of animals, animal products including equipment, pet food, eggs, biologicals, specimens, birds, fish, insects, shells, bee products?

Previously question 6 was "Any food - includes dried, fresh, preserved, cooked, uncooked?"

Thus it seems if you just have generic food that is not one of the categories listed (including things like chocolate/candy/etc, biscuits, etc) then there should be no need to declare them.

There's a sample of the new form here.

Wasn't there a question "anything that you can eat"? Or have I been watching too much Border Security. Also, would chocolate count as dairy given it has milk in it?

soulcakeduck Dec 9, 2012 1:07 am


Originally Posted by dddc (Post 19819835)
Wasn't there a question "anything that you can eat"? Or have I been watching too much Border Security. Also, would chocolate count as dairy given it has milk in it?

Just came back from LHR with a roll-aboard full of chocolate and ticked '6. Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables?' out of habit... then re-read and decided chocolate fell under dairy well enough (and could plead uncertainty if an officer said anything). Zipped through easily enough.

Christopher Dec 9, 2012 4:12 pm


Originally Posted by Leumas (Post 19802609)
I also notice you no longer have to declare prescription medicines or even over-the-counter drugs...

Doesn't question 1 say, Goods that may be prohibited or subject to restrictions, such as medicines, steroids, illegal pornography, firearms, weapons or illicit drugs?

That seems to me to cover both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Leumas Dec 10, 2012 1:45 am

You're right... I posted before I'd coffee... :)

Christopher Dec 10, 2012 2:40 am


Originally Posted by Leumas (Post 19827503)
You're right... I posted before I'd coffee... :)

Just don't forget to declare any coffee that you carry through customs. :)

docbert Dec 10, 2012 7:47 am


Originally Posted by dddc (Post 19819835)
Also, would chocolate count as dairy given it has milk in it?

I can't see chocolate being considered "dairy". Probably 90+% of food includes, somewhere in the ingredients, one of the categories listed. It doesn't make sense for them to remove "Food" from the list, but then still require you to declare a cookie because it has milk in the ingredients!

Mind you, Snickers bars and Peanut M&Ms on the other hand do contain nuts...

6andy6 Dec 28, 2012 10:57 pm


Originally Posted by docbert (Post 19795197)
When filling out an Incoming Passenger Form last week to enter Australia I noticed that none of the questions actually asked if I was carrying "Food" as it did previously, but only certain types of food.

I asked about this at immigration the officer said "question 6", but when I shows him that it no longer said food even he was surprised! The form is dated 11/12 so I'm guessing it's only a new change.

The questions now ask if you have :

6. Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables?
7. Grains, seeds, bulbs, straw, nuts, plants, parts of plants, traditional medicines or herbs, wooden articles?
8. Animals, parts of animals, animal products including equipment, pet food, eggs, biologicals, specimens, birds, fish, insects, shells, bee products?

Previously question 6 was "Any food - includes dried, fresh, preserved, cooked, uncooked?"

Thus it seems if you just have generic food that is not one of the categories listed (including things like chocolate/candy/etc, biscuits, etc) then there should be no need to declare them.

There's a sample of the new form here.

Given pretty much anything you buy...even manufacturered would have an item from number 6, you would be lying if you didn't declare something and were bringing in food. For example chocolate may have seeds ( fruit and nut) and will also contain dairy.

Now I know strictly speaking its all cooked and would be okay...but as I have been told before. Declare it...it is 'their' job to decide if its okay...not mine.

prncssjenn Jan 3, 2013 1:55 am

I just came back from Sydney.
Yes, no stamps once leaving, but I do it anyway in case.
There are 2 versions of the forms at the airport, it's confusing since they are different editions, I had the 11/12 one on my flight and fished out the form that said 'any food' on the tables.
I declare OTC, I'm not sure if that's required, no issues coming in anyway. (declared anyway)
IN the end, I got a sniffer dog to check my luggage, no issues. (have to bring in food for the cuzzies)

Originally Posted by DJ Bitterbarn (Post 19798664)
This is going to be terrible news for the producers of "Border Security". That's half their material gone right there.

Can't even find or watch the bloody show on the telly. Must be because I was in on the wrong dates, Christmas was on Tuesday. NYE was on Tuesday...


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