Australia: Entry experience from the Border Security show.
Border Security illustrates typical situations at Australian border crossings: a 420 AUD fine for carrying live crabs, prohibited substances disguised as mouthwash; and tips for honest declarations to ensure a smooth process.
If Australia is on your next trip, the simple secret to getting through customs quickly is "don't apologize, just declare." The situations described in Border Security: Australia's Front Line illustrate why many travelers – including Vietnamese – are detained: carrying prohibited food items, making false declarations, or having prohibited substances in their possession.
What awaits you at Australian airports?
Border Security: Australia's Front Line is a 17-season documentary television series that began in 2004, focusing on the daily work of the Australian Border Force and biosecurity personnel. Episodes are primarily filmed at major international airports such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as seaports and international postal centers.
The content revolves around three areas: Customs and Drugs, Biosecurity (Quarantine), and Immigration (Immigration/Visas). Viewers see everything from minor violations like bringing prohibited food items to large-scale drug trafficking, visa cancellations, and deportations. The show's YouTube channel has over 550,000 subscribers, with its most popular video having nearly 7 million views.
Typical scenarios from screen to border crossing.
The program documented several surprising cases: illegal substances worth $2.4 million disguised as mouthwash bottles; or Asian tourists – including those from Vietnam – bringing prohibited food items that had to be destroyed due to "potential risks".
In episode 13 of season 14, two women from Vietnam were found carrying live crabs in their luggage. They had entered Australia approximately 18 times before, were familiar with the procedures, but still deliberately violated them and were fined 420 AUD. These moments of panic during the inspection highlight the strictness of security, especially for items related to biosecurity.
Practical tips for a smooth entry into the country.
Dao Minh Hien, a Vietnamese man living in Australia, shared his experience: always be honest when filling out the declaration form. If bringing food items such as packaged, vacuum-sealed rice cakes, dried starfruit, or dried bamboo shoots, he proactively marks "Yes" on the form to ensure a smooth process.
He was once stopped for about 10 minutes to be questioned about his purpose for visiting Vietnam, his school and major, as well as why he stayed in Melbourne for two days. “I knew there were cameras, but I just stayed calm and focused on answering, and usually they would let me through and wouldn’t search my luggage,” Hien said.
The immigration declaration form, in Vietnamese, is distributed on the plane, helping passengers fill it out accurately. The airport slogan, "Don't apologize, just declare," is repeated as the golden rule to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Who is most likely to be investigated and why?
According to Hien's observations, Asian tourists are often checked for food; Western and African tourists are sometimes detained due to prohibited substances or disease-related factors. Grant Wilson, an Australian who frequently travels to Vietnam to visit relatives and for work, said that Australian men traveling alone, or visiting Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, are often targeted by security forces on suspicion of potentially transporting prohibited substances or committing violations.
Why does Australia have such strict controls?
Australia has many strict security and safety regulations aimed at protecting biodiversity and reducing the risk of pests and alien insects invading vulnerable ecosystems. For tourists, understanding and following these procedures not only helps them get through quickly but also avoids fines or the destruction of their belongings.
Quick summary for those about to fly.
- Declare truthfully all food items you are bringing with you; if any, mark "Yes" on the declaration form.
- Stay calm and answer focused when asked; the process may be short, lasting only a few minutes.
- Remember the motto: "Don't apologize, just confess."
- International airports such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane often film for Border Security, so be prepared to cooperate.
Based on observations from Border Security and the practical experience of Vietnamese people in Australia, immigration will be smoother if you prepare properly and provide complete information.
