A young Australian travelling from Singapore back to her home country was slapped with a hefty fine after failing to declare two ingredients in her half-eaten sandwich from Subway.
TikTok user Jessica shared her experience in a video, noting it’s one of those “Australian government things.”
She started her video by giving the government two middle fingers before explaining what happened.
“Basically, I just paid AU$2,664 for my Subway from Singapore, you know,” said Jessica.
The 19-year-old admitted it was her mistake. She bought a foot-long sandwich from “Singapore airport” as she was hungry from her 11-hour flight.
Jessica consumed half of the sandwich and left the rest for her flight back to Australia, but she ended up not finishing her sandwich on the flight.
After crossing the customs, authorities informed her that she had failed to declare the chicken and lettuce in her sandwich.
All along, Jessica thought the declaration form handed out during a flight was for carry-ons and luggage. She didn’t tick the “chicken” and “lettuce” options.
“That is a nice little AU$2,664 to be paid within days…I quit my job before this trip…I have rent to pay!” said a distraught Jessica, who portrayed a “whatever, it happens, what can I do” attitude towards the end of the video.
Netizens have since urged Jessica to fight the fine.
“I definitely think you could contest this. I’ve travelled so many times with food for personal consumption on the plane,” said a TikTok user.
“There’s no way I’m paying that. They would never receive the payment,” added TikTok user Critical Keaton.
Jessica said in a disclaimer that she was aware it was her mistake. “I do take ownership. I am paying the fine. Just an emotional video,” she added.
When another concerned netizen pointed out that other international visitors are left with a warning at border security for bringing in bags of “fish, nuts and seeds,” Jessica explained there was a language barrier at play.
“They told me it was because there’s a language barrier between them, but because I speak perfect English, I can get the fine.”
The official account of Domino’s Australia also commented on the video, tagging Subway Australia and asking them to help Jessica.
Subway Australia responded with, “We’re on it.”
The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources confirmed that food and ingredients that have not met their (our) biosecurity standards are common and high-risk pathways for these threats.”
Travellers who provide “false or misleading information” to a biosecurity officer can be fined up to AU$2,664 (S$2,535).
Those who violate the law can also face criminal prosecution with a fine of up to S$1.05 million and up to 10 years’ imprisonment./TISG
https://www.tiktok.com/@_jessicaleeee/video/7115380280478698753
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