"Food" no longer needs to be declared into Australia
Dec 4, 12, 12:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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Posts: 7,154
"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.
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.
Dec 4, 12, 6:28 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
Originally Posted by im-headed-west
I got stamped exiting SYD on Nov 30
Dec 4, 12, 8:47 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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Originally Posted by mario33
And they have stopped putting exit stamps on your passport, going green I guess 
Dec 5, 12, 2:38 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: DJ, QF, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 2,984
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...
I also notice you no longer have to declare prescription medicines or even over-the-counter drugs...
Dec 8, 12, 1:35 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,457
Originally Posted by docbert
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.
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.
Dec 9, 12, 1:07 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by dddc
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?
Dec 9, 12, 4:12 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
Originally Posted by Leumas
I also notice you no longer have to declare prescription medicines or even over-the-counter drugs...
That seems to me to cover both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Dec 10, 12, 7:47 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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Originally Posted by dddc
Also, would chocolate count as dairy given it has milk in it?
Mind you, Snickers bars and Peanut M&Ms on the other hand do contain nuts...
Dec 28, 12, 10:57 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, Commonwealth of Australia
Programs: Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Hilton Honours
Posts: 98
Originally Posted by docbert
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.
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.
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.
Jan 3, 13, 1:55 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Airpoints, Aeroplan
Posts: 48
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)
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...
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
This is going to be terrible news for the producers of "Border Security". That's half their material gone right there.
