Preparing for customs and quarantine

An AAP report says in recent years, travel-related security has been significantly tightened, with the most obvious impact having been on people preparing to fly, who are now acutely aware of restrictions on liquids, aerosols, gels and sharp objects.

In the worry about packing your toothpaste and knitting needles, customs and quarantine rules can seem less important. However, the implications of breaching them can be severe.

Furthermore, while there is reasonable international uniformity about security matters, customs and quarantine rules vary significantly. Travellers need to be aware of these requirements — especially what are considered illegal or dangerous items.

For example, codeine, found in codeine-based painkillers such as Panadeine, is a controlled substance in the US, which also has different rules to Australia about carrying other common goods onto planes, such as matches and lighters.

The Australian Customs Service’s Max Ciacia says that colleagues encounter many inbound passengers who have had problems “because they weren’t aware that certain medicines or items are prohibited overseas”.

Research is the key, he says, both for what’s required where you’re going, and when you come home.

Local customs staff, who work in unison with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, frequently seize items that are freely available overseas (especially in Asia where laws are more relaxed), which gives travellers a false sense of security.

Common examples are electronic fly swatters and high-powered air pistols.

Ciacia says goods made from endangered species are also regularly seized, especially tiger products and items made from rare-snake skins.

But even in the 21st century, Australian customs is still confiscating oddities like armadillo handbags and elephant-foot umbrella stands.

Conversely, items seemingly available in Australia could be seized.

“In a lot of cases, it’s not the same”, says Ciacia. “The goods available in Australia, especially food stuffs, have had a different (manufacturing) process to make sure they are safe.”

Common sense and some preparation is usually enough to identify what needs to be dumped or declared when you arrive somewhere.

Check quarantine and customs websites in advance, or at least pay careful attention to the inward passenger card’s questions. Whatever you do, be honest about what you’re carrying into or out of a country, or you could face large fines and jail. If in doubt, declare it.

Seasoned traveller Ethan Gelber concurs with Ciacia’s advice to be prepared: “I can’t put greater emphasis on foreknowledge”, he says.

The most challenging experiences with international officialdom for this Lonely Planet writer were in the Middle East during a 1997 Mediterranean bike tour.

Gelber says that some “countries in that region don’t necessarily officially recognise the existence of other countries in that region, and therefore won’t allow travel by people who have disappeared into the gap on the map.”

For example, Syria doesn’t recognise Israel, so you can’t cross its border with an Israeli stamp in your passport.

“Going with foreknowledge means understanding what the troubles are in a particular region … and how that can change the direction of your travel,” says Gelber.

“There are troubles like that all around the world.”

Unfortunately, at some borders regulations are as volatile as the political situation, “so an understanding of what is official is a powerful tool in preparing for what comes next”, he says.

What comes next may be a bribe. This can be shocking for Australians used to the rule of law, but in some places it’s an accepted way of life.

Gelber says that when everything is in order with your travel documents, if “somebody looks at you and says there’s a problem and winks or holds out their hand or rubs their fingers together, they’re basically letting you know you can get through this with no trouble, or you can get through this with trouble”.

What they want is usually the equivalent of a few Australian dollars, he says: “It’s a token amount, it’s a power game.”

It may be up to the traveller to suggest a bribe, or baksheesh.

“The onus is on you to actually figure out if there’s a way to grease the wheels on a system that is fundamentally broken,” says Gelber.

“That’s always a little riskier because if you ask the wrong person, or suggest the wrong amount or suggest at all, that could be taken quite wrong.”

Even though most travellers are unlikely to encounter this extreme, borders and ports are never a place to be lighthearted, especially when dealing with officials.

Gelber says avoiding jokes is all part of the importance of honesty.

“If you’re nervous, don’t try to hide being nervous … (some borders are) a legitimate place to be a little bit nervous … If they say `what’s wrong?’, you can just say `I’m nervous, I’ve never crossed a border like this before’.”

Today, international travel’s apparent risks, heightened security and complex rules are enough to make anyone a little nervous, but being prepared can greatly reduce the anxiety.

“People get in holiday mode … and sometimes it distracts you from the boring, mundane administrative things that you’ve got to do to travel,” says Max Ciacia.

“People do a lot of research about their holidays, the best cheap hotels and this and that, but really half an hour of the administrative things can make holidays so much easier.”

BE PREPARED:

** Are your travel documents in order? In particular, ensure your passport has the necessary visas and will be valid for at least six months after your return date.

** Set aside time to research customs and quarantine rules in Australia and your destinations. If you are going somewhere volatile, have you got consular advice?

** Did you completely empty your luggage before you packed? There could be some forgotten item lurking in there.

** Does everything you packed comply with customs and quarantine requirements? If in doubt, declare it. Pack items to be declared in an easily accessible part of your luggage.

** Be calm, honest and co-operative with officials at borders, airports and seaports. If you don’t understand a question, say so.

** Where are bribes tolerated – even normal? Try not to be frightened or offended by them where that is the case.

A Report by the Mole from AAP