Are you travelling with a laptop or tablet?
These days we take our technology everywhere we go and of course, when you travel, it makes sense to bring these items so you can record your memories through video and photography. Some people might be unsure whether or not they can take their devices with them. The answer is yes you can.
You will need to remove your laptop from your bag, as it will need to be placed onto a tray and screened by airport officials. The screening procedure will run smoothly if officials can clearly see your items, so make sure your laptop bag or tablet case is packed neatly without obtrusive papers and stationary. If the items cannot be seen clearly, then you may be delayed, as the items will need to be scanned again or examined individually.
Duty Free Regulations
There are many things you may need to purchase when on your travels and most of these should be fine to be stored in your baggage. These would include personal items such as clothing, shoes and hygiene products.
Other items have limits that may apply such as in the case with tobacco and alcohol. If you exceed the applicable limits, you will have to pay duty and tax on the entire contents, not just the amount you exceeded the limit by.
If you are over the age of 18, you may bring up to 50 cigarettes with you into Australia. This applies whether you purchased them at home before you came to the airport, or if you purchased them at a duty free shop at the airport.
If you are over the age of 18, you may bring up to 2.25 litres of duty-free alcohol with you into Australia, regardless of where it was purchased.
Quarantine Items
You are not able to bring contaminated products such as soil, mud and clay. You are also not able to bring any meat products, fruits or vegetables. These quarantine items may cause harm or illness to the citizens of Australia, or other visitors to Australia. This is important and items should never be hidden in any baggage that belongs to you. Depending on how items were manufactured and the materials that have been used, you may or may not be able to bring them into Australia. This mainly applies to wooden or woven items and items that have been made using leather, fur, horns or bones. All of these items need to be declared if you have them in your possession. They will be examined and the appropriate airport officials will deem if they are suitable to keep on your person, if not, they will need to be surrendered.
Australian Border Force (ABF)
In 2015 the Australian Border Force was established and this department now deals with customs, immigration and border protection. This force is responsible for national security and as such, work to facilitate the lawful passage of all people and goods, will undertake any investigation needed that relates to illicit goods, immigration malpractice and will conduct onshore detention when necessary.
Airport Body Scanners
This security measure is in addition to bag screening, visa and passport checks. You will need to walk through the body scanner but before you do, you will need to remove items from your pockets. It is often the case that you will also need to remove your shoes or your belt, as the metal that is contained within these items will set the scanners off.
There are also occasions where you will be asked to step aside and an additional body scan will be conducted by an airport official. This is usually a hand held device that is passed over the body and there is no need to be alarmed or embarrassed if this happens to you.
Airport body scanners are safe to use, so there is no need to worry about radiation or potential illness. The scanners will expose you to less energy than with other every day hand held devices and machines.
Do’s and Don’ts When Entering Australia
Here is a quick checklist to confirm some of the important points for entering Australia and also some key points on what not to do:
Do
- Pack items that will need to be declared so they can be easily seen and examined by the Australian Border Force.
- Be aware of quarantine items, customs and duty free regulations
- Recognise there are severe penalties and fines for drug possession
- Ask airport personnel if you need assistance
- Check your medicines and have the accompanying paperwork ready signed by the doctor that has prescribed them
- Expect to be the subject of a baggage search at any time
- Seal all liquids, aerosols and gels in a snap lock bag
- Check the status of your visa online before you travel
- Check your duty free limits and quantities prior to making a purchase
- Enjoy your holiday and make the most of your time here in Australia!
Don’t
- Carry an item for anyone else otherwise you will be held responsible for it
- Provide any information that could be considered false or misleading
- Break the law
- Purchase items that are pirated or counterfeit
- Travel with PBS medicines without the appropriate paperwork stating personal use
- Take prohibited items or items that could be used as weapons in your hand luggage, for example, a pair of scissors
- Carry liquids in hand luggage that are greater than 100mls
- Hide items in your bag hoping they will go unnoticed
