CUSTOMS SEARCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 August 1946, Page 8

CUSTOMS SEARCH

VISITORS TO AUSTRALIA WARNED SYDNEY, August 3A warning to future visitors to the Commonwealth was issued to-day by the New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Sydney (Mr. W. Taylor). “All passengers should take particular care to ensure that their customs declarations cover all items other than personal effects included in their baggage: otherwise they are liable to penalty and confiscation of the undeclared items,” said Mr. Taylor. “Up to 100 cigarettes or 4oz of tobacco for a passenger’s immediate use are permitted free entry, but must be declared. In addition, passengers may declare and pay duty on a further quantity up to 1000 cigarettes or 211 b weight of tobacco. Any quantities in excess of these amounts are liable to confiscation unless the passenger is in possession of an import licence covering the items.” Australian customs officials now strictly interpret the regulations providing for heavy penalties and confiscation of all dutiable goods not fully declared before arrival. For many years verbal declarations on arrival at wharf or airport have been adequate for cigarettes and tobacco brought for personal consumption, but the present position has arisen through blackmarketing by members of crews of overseas ships. The Customs Department retaliated by organising special squads to apply a tooth-comb to ships’ crews and passengers. Millions of cigarettes and quantities of hosiery and liquor have been confiscated. The hew methods have shocked visitors from New Zealand who, expecting the old system of inspection and paymeht on the wharf, find their undeclared cigarettes confiscated and fine's imposed.-