Can you eat food refused by quarantine by Australian border control?
If some food you're bringing in is refused by quarantine, are they sometimes willing to let you eat it? Assume there isn't a massive queue behind you and the officer is in a good mood.
Background: I received some chocolates on Valentine's day in (no prizes for guessing!) Japan, and I'm returning to Australia. Chocolates should be pretty safe, though.
Best Answer
No, you can't.
In the past (pre-Covid), I've applied for various jobs at Australian airports, and when I applied for a job as an aircraft cleaner, I was told in no uncertain terms by the person interviewing me that eating or drinking any items left on the plane was strictly forbidden by Australian Customs, as they hadn't passed through Customs, so doing so would count as a breach of quarantine. Anyone who did so would face a fine of thousands of dollars, months of jail time, or both. This is something that they had personally seen happen, after one cleaner opened and drank a can of soda that had been left on the plane.
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Why can you not bring food into Australia?
Australia's strict bio-security laws prohibit certain foreign foods, plant materials, and animal products from entering the country, due to the threat of introducing serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating our valuable agriculture and tourism industries, as well as our unique environment.What food are you allowed to take into Australia?
Biscuits, bread, cakes, pastries, Christmas cake, and Christmas pudding (excluding cheesecakes) These products are allowed into Australia if: they are for personal consumption. they are fully cooked, shelf stable (do not require refrigeration) and contain no meat.What foods can you not take to Australia?
What foodstuffs can I not take into Australia? Foods that are prohibited unless accompanied by a valid Import Permit include beans, peas, cereal seeds, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, uncanned meat and all pork products, milk, popping corn, raw unroasted nuts, whole salmon and trout.Can you bring food through customs?
Food Products (Raw and Prepared) As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee and tea are admissible. Because rice can often harbor insects, it is best to avoid bringing it into the United States.Things you can’t bring to Australia | Australian border security | Declare at customs
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