BB Fact Sheet – Travel – Customs & Border Security

Covering yourself before you go

• Your Holiday is important and so is your safety.

• Take a moment to consider how Customs and Border Security may impact your trip, and take into consideration factors such as personal safety, declaration of duty free and purchased items, and your obligations when entering and leaving each country you will visit.

• Discuss your likely needs with your Travel Agent, or seek information about specifics such as personal duty free concessions and your obligations with regard to Customs & Border Security, via phone or the internet. Enquire about updating your Passport & Visas, and what precautions you can take here and overseas.

• Find out what you can do to improve your chances of remaining within the Law when entering and leaving each country you are visiting.

• Consider making a checklist of things to do in the event of delays or questions, and make sure you carry a copy of all your documents separately with you.

What can I do? 

• Check that you are not planning to carry any prohibited or restricted goods when you go, or when you are coming back. You may only take up to $ 10,000 in Australian currency, or foreign equivalent out of Australia without declaring it.

• Make sure you have updated your Passport & required Visas before you go. 

• Make two copies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travelers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

• Check with your doctor before you go whether you will need a Yellow Fever vaccination certification before re entering Australia

• Ask your Doctor for a letter describing the prescriptions and medicines you will be taking on your trip (this includes headache tablets), and declare them, along with any herbal or alternative medicines you will be taking.

• Always lock your carry on and checked-in luggage, and carry a spare set of keys (or the combination) on your person.

• You must always fill in the Incoming and Outward Passenger Card provided by your transportation provider, and remember, if in doubt – Declare it!  

24 Hour Consular Emergency Centre:  1300 555 135 (Aust.) or

                                                             +61 2 6261 3305 (OS)

Australian Customs & Border Security – Travellers Guide (a must read for any traveller)

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4224

Tourist Refund Scheme (claiming the GST or WET) - http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4646

Australian Customs & Border Protection Service      - http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4258

Tips for Travellers from ACBPS                                - http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4348

Duty Free Concessions explained                            - http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4728

Items you must declare on Departure                      - http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4725

Emergency Helpline – 24 Hour Consular Emergency Centre: 1300 555 135 or 61 2 6261 3305

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This article was created by Elisabeth Watkins for babyboomers.com.au - Australia's leading website for Baby Boomers. Sources include the the Australian Customs & Border Protection Service, Australian Government  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade & www.smartraveller.gov.au.

Babyboomers.com.au is a resource to help people find information and services on Health, Money, Travel, Recreation.
 
Disclaimer: The information contained in this section should not be used for individual advice. Please see your travel Agent or contact The Australian Government if you have concerns or specific questions relating to Customs or Border Security.