Quick food question

[jevs]

Hiya, I've left home and are in Melbourne for the night

Just quickly, we are wanting to bring back some sweets from universal - the Bertie's jellybeans for gifts for the kids friends. Is this allowed? I've never attempted to bring food back into australia before... And if allowed, should we put them in checked luggage or onboard?

Many, many thanks

 

[PrincessInOz]

Jevs - I hope you enjoyed Melbourne tonight.

I've definitely brought confectionery and biscuits back from the US. I pack it in my checked luggage these days but you can put it in your carry-on if you want. I always declare it in the customs form when I come home. You will be waived through to the customs-check queue and just answer the questions asked. I've never had an issue....especially when I declare it all.

Have a great trip.

 

[jevs]

Thank you

 

[lffam]

Thank you

safe travels

 

[aussie shaz]

I think half our luggage was food when we came home last time! We love some of the American lollies etc, so stock up at the supermarket on our last day.
We will do the same on our way home from Bali. Never had a problem.

 

[Princess Jes]

I brought back the bertie botts every flavour beans myself... no issues and I didn't declare them. I also had Lindt balls, reeces pieces, M&M's etc...
my understanding is, as long as its not animal or vegetables, you should be fine... I forgot until just before we landed in Sydney that I had beef jerky in my handbag... shoved as much in my mouth as I could eat by the time we disembarked and left the rest on the plane in the bin... whoops!!!
my sister brought back lots of lollies and chocolates, no issue either.

 

[Princess Jes]

I brought back the bertie botts every flavour beans myself... no issues and I didn't declare them. I also had Lindt balls, reeces pieces, M&M's etc...
my understanding is, as long as its not animal or vegetables, you should be fine... I forgot until just before we landed in Sydney that I had beef jerky in my handbag... shoved as much in my mouth as I could eat by the time we disembarked and left the rest on the plane in the bin... whoops!!!
my sister brought back lots of lollies and chocolates, no issue either.

oh, or wood... don't bring that back, you WILL get in trouble for that!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

You'll have no issues. Just make sure you declare them and it's best to keep them in the same sealed packets you buy them in. To avoid bulky carry-on, put them in your check-in luggage, but make sure they are in a place you can easily access them and show customs should you need to. However, it's unlikely they will want to see your candy. They have bigger concerns.

NZ has the same strict rules Australia does, and I declare something almost every trip I do. Usually I have to declare that I've been in contact with animals, but I've also declared everything from a pack of mints, to dried tea leaves, to a handmade bamboo kite. Often I find that declaring my items gets me through customs quicker.

Some plant-based products (e.g wood) will be let through depending on how well treated they are. If you declare them, you won't get in trouble, but by buying them in the first place, you are taking the risk that they could be taken of you.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I brought back the bertie botts every flavour beans myself... no issues and I didn't declare them. I also had Lindt balls, reeces pieces, M&M's etc... my understanding is, as long as its not animal or vegetables, you should be fine... I forgot until just before we landed in Sydney that I had beef jerky in my handbag... shoved as much in my mouth as I could eat by the time we disembarked and left the rest on the plane in the bin... whoops!!! my sister brought back lots of lollies and chocolates, no issue either.

I tend to be extra cautious, but for what it's worth, I would declare the sweets next time. Here in NZ, absolutely all food items must be declared. In Aus, the government states that some food items (separate from plant and animal matter) need to be declared. They include:

airline food and snacks
commercially prepared, cooked and raw food and ingredients
dried fruit and vegetables
instant noodles and rice
packaged meals
herbs and spices
herbal and traditional medicines, remedies, tonics and herbal teas
snack foods

The second and last criteria are a bit unclear, but could include some sweets. To be on the safe side and avoid potential fines, it's worth declaring them. It's highly unlikely they'll take them off you, and most likely they'll just wave you through.

 

[Rebekkap]

Contrary to the information on this thread, you do NOT need to declare lollies or commercially packaged biscuits. As you can see on the latest incoming passenger card here, there is no longer a general question that asks you if you have food: http://www.customs.gov.au/individuals/goingthroughtheborder/arrival/incoming-passenger-card.asp

I have been specifically told by customs officers that you do not need to declare other food.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

My apologies, I didn't realise it had recently changed. I was looking at a government pages that must have old info.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4351.asp
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/travel/cant-take

Edited: The agriculture website is apparently correct as of 14/1/15. Weird, that the government websites and forms don't really match.

 

[ozliz]

Yes the Australian declaration used to ask about food in general but now is more specific so I have not had to declare lollies or chocolate on recent trips. Generally read the form really carefully and if in doubt declare it. They will simply ask you what it is and rarely ask to see it but the worst is it will be confiscated if you aren't allowed it. Just be honest about it and all OK.