Introduction
Australia’s Customs is stepping up! With the addition of new staff, inspection procedures are becoming stricter, and recently, a significant number of people, especially Chinese nationals, have had their luggage opened.

1. New Staff at Australian Customs, Stricter Inspections

As we all know, Australian Customs has always been stringent with inspections. However, recently, things are tightening even more.

A batch of new “staff members” are joining Australian Customs, which means that entry inspections will be more rigorous.

At Australia’s airports, ports, and mailrooms, a special group of “workers” are always on the frontline of biosecurity—sniffer dogs.

With their sharp sense of smell, these dogs have become the frontline soldiers intercepting high-risk items. In 2024 alone, sniffer dogs have intercepted over 42,000 high-risk items at Australian airports, seaports, and mail centers. These items—such as raw meat, seeds, and fruits—pose a significant risk to Australia’s plants, agricultural products, and livestock, potentially spreading diseases and pests.

To enhance biosecurity measures, Australia has added six new sniffer dogs to its system. On average, each dog can detect 9,000 high-risk items during its working life.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stated that these sniffer dogs are an integral part of Australia's world-renowned biosecurity system, playing an irreplaceable role in preventing the spread of pests and diseases from overseas.

The Australian government has also made significant investments to strengthen biosecurity. Since the Labor Party came into power, $2 billion has been allocated to improving biosecurity measures.

Additionally, individuals attempting to bring in biosecurity risk items face strict penalties, including confiscation and destruction of items, as well as hefty fines or even visa cancellations. This creates a strong deterrent to illegal imports.

2. High Inspection Rate at Airports: Opening Luggage

In light of these new biosecurity efforts, inspections have become especially stringent. There has been a significant increase in luggage being opened, with high rates of searches.

Many travelers, particularly from Sydney and Brisbane airports, have reported that even though they only carried a backpack, their luggage was opened and inspected.

One traveler mentioned:
"Make sure to check the items on your entry card. Even if you have something related, it’s better to declare it upfront. If you do, they might just give it a glance, and you can avoid bigger issues."

Recently, a person who declared a small amount of meat in their luggage in the Chinese-language declaration form was fined AUD 3,960 after failing to fully explain the situation to customs officers due to a language barrier.

3. Controversy Over US Beef Importation

While Australia is taking strong measures against biosecurity risks, a decision to allow US beef—specifically cattle slaughtered in Mexico or Canada—has sparked controversy. This decision ended a decades-long ban on US beef imports due to concerns over mad cow disease and has been criticized by agricultural groups and opposition parties.

Minister Collins responded, emphasizing that this decision was based on risk-based scientific assessments conducted by experts. The entire process of approving the importation of US beef took more than five years to ensure safety.

She assured the public that the process was thorough, transparent, and aligned with regular protocols. The government has published all related documents on its website, providing full transparency.

Conclusion

Australia’s customs regulations are only getting stricter. The addition of new sniffer dogs and increased inspections are a part of the government's efforts to bolster biosecurity and prevent illegal imports. For those entering the country, it’s essential to adhere to Australia’s regulations and avoid any risky behavior at the border. Don’t think you can get away with anything!