Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Passport Savvy
Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply for a passport; processing
normally takes 3 weeks but can take longer during busy periods (espe-
cially spring). And keep in mind that if you need a passport in a hurry,
you'll pay a higher processing fee. When traveling, safeguard your pass-
port in an inconspicuous, inaccessible place like a money belt and keep a
copy of the critical pages with your passport number in a separate place.
If you lose your passport, visit the nearest consulate of your native coun-
try as soon as possible for a replacement.
Tips
is
Know Before You Go.
For more infor-
mation, contact Australian Customs
Services, GPO Box 8, Sydney NSW
2001 (
&
02/6275 6666
), or check
out www.customs.gov.au.
Cash in any currency, and other
currency instruments such as traveler's
checks, under a value of A$10,000
(US$6,500) need not be declared.
Firearms in Australia are strictly con-
trolled; contact the nearest Australian
diplomatic post for advice on import-
ing a handgun.
Australia is a signatory to the Con-
vention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES), which
restricts or bans the import of prod-
ucts made from protected wildlife.
Examples of the restricted items are
coral, giant clam, wild cats, monkey,
zebra, crocodile or alligator, bear,
some types of caviar, American gin-
seng, and orchid products. Banned
items include ivory, tortoise (marine
turtle) shell, products from rhinoceros
or tiger, and sturgeon caviar. Bear this
in mind if you stop in other countries
en route to Australia where souvenirs
made from items like these may be
sold. Australian authorities may seize
and not return the items to you.
Because Australia is an island, it is
free of many agricultural and livestock
diseases. To keep it that way, strict
quarantine applies to importing
plants, animals, and their products,
including food. “Sniffer” dogs are used
at Australian airports to detect these
products (as well as drugs). Some
items may be held for treatment and
returned to you; others may be confis-
cated; and others may be held over for
you to take with you when you leave
the country. Amnesty trash bins are
available before you reach the immi-
gration counters in airport arrivals
halls for items such as fruit. Don't be
alarmed if, just before landing, the
flight attendants spray the aircraft
cabin (with products approved by the
World Health Organization) to kill
potentially disease-bearing insects. For
more information on what is and is
not allowed, contact the nearest Aus-
tralian embassy or consulate, or Aus-
tralia's Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries, and Forestry, which runs the
Australian Quarantine and Inspection
Service (
&
02/6272 4143;
www.affa.
gov.au). Its website contains a list of
many restricted or banned foodstuffs,
animal and plant products, and other
items.
WHAT YOU CAN TAKE
HOME FROM AUSTRALIA
Returning
U.S. citizens
who have
been away for at least 48 hours are
allowed to bring back, once every 30
days, $800 worth of merchandise
duty-free. You'll be charged a flat rate
of 4% duty on the next $1,000 worth
of purchases. Be sure to have your
receipts handy. On mailed gifts, the
duty-free limit is $200. With some
exceptions, you cannot bring fresh
fruits and vegetables into the United
