Duty Free - Returning to Australia

[Trevor2118]

Hi. Can anyone advise how strict Customs are when bringing back cigars to Australia?

Currently each adult is allowed 250g of tabacco (plus one open pack of cigs/cigarellos).

Do you know if they actually weight them or (as I've been told), they generally accept a box of 25's as reasonable?

Heading off in 6 weeks so would like to get some feedback. Many thanks.

[JMH]

I'd be interested too, heading off to Europe in a week.

[Guest boss hogg]

I'm only a gringo, but I can tell you that my recent experience with Aussie customs was the most unpleasant I've had with any customs in over 35 countries. UK immigration is pretty nasty, too.

I checked "No" for the "Are you carrying any food products?" Turns out they classify chocolate as food. The *&^*&^ customs inspector said "Technically you've made a false declaration". I said "that's candy, not food." They x-ray EVERYTHING! I was wondering where Inspector Jellyfinger might be waiting.

Anyway, I told my importer in VCT and he has a long experience of run-ins with Aussie customs. He said that they "never knew their fathers and hated their mothers."

[Trevor2118]

» I'm only a gringo, but I can tell you that my recent experience with Aussie

» customs was the most unpleasant I've had with any customs in over 35

» countries. UK immigration is pretty nasty, too.

Not very encouraging, especially since I'm also going to the UK. I better make sure I declare my tic-tacs!!! :-D

[jay8354]

As far as I know, declare everything with AUS customs!!!

They are strict but if you ahve declared it, they will usually go easier on you.

As for the tobacco, I am not too sure with Cigars. Since that is technically a plant product and might need quarantine. Check the quanrantine/custom website and email them.

El Prez might be better at answering this question.

Also, you need to check whether they will impose any taxes for the stogies.

[El Presidente]

Trevor.

In countless trips I have always brought back a minimum of 2 boxes (50 cigars) and have never been picked up. I always declare my fishing fly's (feathers). They take one look and wave me through.

I like to declare something. Whatever you are going to declare, have it in your carry on luggage. Cigars stay well concealed in your suitcase.

Declare your jogging shoes. Say you visited a farm.

[Trevor2118]

» I like to declare something. Whatever you are going to declare, have it in

» your carry on luggage. Cigars stay well concealed in your suitcase.

»

» Declare your jogging shoes. Say you visited a farm.

I love this plan....keep them busy with something else.....makes sense. Thanks. ;-)

[Trevor2118]

» As far as I know, declare everything with AUS customs!!!

»

» They are strict but if you ahve declared it, they will usually go easier

» on you.

»

» As for the tobacco, I am not too sure with Cigars. Since that is

» technically a plant product and might need quarantine. Check the

» quanrantine/custom website and email them.

»

» El Prez might be better at answering this question.

»

» Also, you need to check whether they will impose any taxes for the

» stogies.

I have imported cigars before (before I was converted to Cubans...just never done duty-free) and never had problems with quarantine. They just hit you with a ~$50 import fee, tax at $269 Kg and 10% GST on the lot (including postage). You then leave with your cigars (and a headache - most complicate form I have even seen) and a substantially lighter wallet.

From their website, 250g per person is allowed duty free, but it does state if you go above this, you pay tax on the whole amount. This is what concerned me.

But as usual, the Chief (El Pres) has done it all before and has a great suggestion. See above. :-D

[Trevor2118]

» Trevor.

»

» In countless trips I have always brought back a minimum of 2 boxes (50 cigars).

Hi El Presidente. The little cogs in my head are starting to spin and hatch a plan. It may well be a cunning plan. What if I purchase a box of each the new 2006LE (from you good self naturally) at USD and have you post them to relatives in Germany & then I bring them back in duty free.

As I write this I already see a possible flaw.......the good people at German Customs may also wish to tax them.......needs further examination, but I will submit this as you may (probably do) have an answer. :-(

[Ken Gargett]

i always declare something. usually buy a bag of cuban coffee - they wave me through and bizarrely send me through the no x-ray zone.

had a little packet of tic tac type things last time and made a joke at immigration and he said to make sure i declared it. they got quite interested in it, even though it originally came with me from Oz. so far, touch wood, no probs with cigars.

occasionally a problem with wine. had one extra bottle that i had been given last minute returning from nz and declared it and the agent, aged 12, wanted to fine me and all sorts of things. i was dragged off to one side and all my luggage opened (i said just put it in the bin or give it to someone - it was a gift that i didn't really want and was not much good anyway - but no, the full monty). then a superior came over and said what the hell are you doing and gave her a deserved bollocking and sent me on my way with apols. you get some sensible really good people and some tin hitlers.

it is important for us though, as an island without a lot of the nasties the rest of the world enjoys.

and if anyone on this forum works for immigration/customs etc, you are all brilliant and i never ever bring in anything above the limits.

[Trevor2118]

» i always declare something. usually buy a bag of cuban coffee -»

Thanks Ken......much the same advice as El Pres......will definately use this tactic (not that there's anything wrong with that.......). ;-)

[habanablue]

Coming back from Cuba My wife and I passed through:

Mexico, Brasil, Spain, Italy and Thailand.

guess the only place we got searched...yep back in Oz. Customs took my $2 Ashtrays from the markets in Cuba then wifey let slip that we just got engaged....they sent us right through and didn't find the three boxes I brought back...

I wish we didn't have such unique fauna and flora that would require such extensive searches....worst in the world. Every other country we just walked straight through...could have had a grands worth of Coke on me and no dramas!

[Trevor2118]

» Coming back from Cuba My wife and I passed through:

»

» Mexico, Brasil, Spain, Italy and Thailand.

»

» guess the only place we got searched...yep back in Oz.

Certainly looks like good & bad news......thanks very much for the info. :-)

[ATGroom]

I came back from Cuba in Febuary and had my bag very thoroughly searched by Australian customs (in Cairns). Took everything out, unrolled all my socks, thumbed through the pages of my books, etc.

When they hit the cigars (two boxes of Cohiba Siglo IVs) they asked me to break the seals and untie the bundles inside, before proceeding to handle each cigar individually. After about forty five minutes of violating my luggage he said "that's fine, you can pack it up again now" and sent me on my way.

[Mel]

Ah hell fellas I was going to send El Prez a few jars of our finest hillbilly moonshine do ya think it will get through OK? How do they feel about untaxed, unlabled alcohol?:-D

[skid11]

Trevor, Aussie Customs are shooting a TV show called "Border Patrol" or something like that so if you see movie cameras LOOK OUT............. They want blood. For the last few years the customs guards have been getting in character for the show by taking a "Be an Arsehole to Visitors" course, apparently most pass with flying colours.:-D

The above course was originally designed by the Germans, modified and improved by the Russians and fine tuned by the French.;-)

Years ago when you arrived in Australia you would suffer the indignation of being sprayed with an aerosol can (of somehing?) before you got off the plane.......................... Does any Aussie remember this ?? It was back in the 1980's I believe.

[Trevor2118]

» Trevor, Aussie Customs are shooting a TV show called "Border Patrol"

Hi...yes have been watching the show.....the people they "pick" on seem fairly crazy.....I think that shouting and waving hands etc would get anyone off side. I'll just keep my head down. Thanks. ;-)

[Professor Twain]

Although I'm not traveling to Australia (at least not in the near future), this discussion has given me lots of strategies for dealing with customs here. Thanks!

[Smokin_Safari]

Prez & Gargett are correct however I do remember Ken once volunteering for the cavity search. The other thing is the vast majority of people declare nothing & get stuck in line, so if you volunteer something simple, it can be pretty quick.