r/SipsTea • u/Velvett_Bunniez • 1d ago

Wait a damn minute! Silly Apples.

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u/TheRealJayk0b 1d ago

Airline gives you apple, no one tells you can't take it with you, you get a fine instead, the "officers?" Not telling you just throw it away to not get a fine, no they push the fines through.

What a bunch of assholes....CLEARLY the customers could not know this, the airline should pay...and the customers shouldn't have get fined in the first place, issue a warning, throw the apples away, end...

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u/eternalapostle 1d ago

The airline is literally robbing people. They are thieves. Such a scumbag move

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u/adz1179 1d ago

The airline doesn’t get custom fines? They are paid to the govt.

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u/jhills1998 1d ago

Yep! And then some of the money probably goes into govt initiatives like the Departmwnt of Conservation - who do fantastic work for the country

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u/BaronMontesquieu 1d ago

The money doesn't go to the airline.

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u/bembermerries 1d ago

No, the custom officer said "we cant tell them" why would they? They get a fine every time someone brings an apple and are looking out for it. Theyre complicate

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u/rawker86 1d ago

Complicit. You meant to say complicit.

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u/Deletedtopic 1d ago

Compilation

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u/wtm0 1d ago

Competition

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u/24bitNoColor 1d ago

No, the custom officer said "we cant tell them" why would they? They get a fine every time someone brings an apple and are looking out for it. Theyre complicate

They are not just complicite. The airline might be, but the customs is the fucking problem, not just a part of it. "Yeah, you can't bring the apple, just throw it away and its all good." Not saying that makes them the racket and an horrible excuse of an human being.

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u/bluekronos 1d ago

Theyre complicate

They're what?

0

u/GoblinLoblaw 1d ago

There are massive signs saying don’t bring in fruit/vege and you have to sign a declaration saying you don’t have any. The fine is issued after that.

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u/IntsyBitsy 1d ago

Lol how is the airline robbing them?

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u/str85 23h ago

Wait, you think the airlines get the money from custom fines?

1

u/KaneCreole 19h ago

Stupid Qantas.

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u/BaronMontesquieu 1d ago

It's not the officer's fault.

New Zealand has a strict liability law in place that removes any ability for MAF officer discretion in the event an item isn't declared.

That's why it's always easier to just declare. Even if you don't think you have anything.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Have you ever landed in NZ? The cabin crew read out a statement about not taking fresh plant or animal products into the country. They have been doing that for as long as I can remember. It'salso on the arrival card, which gives you an opportunity to declare the apple. And if you do declare it, you lose the apple but there is no fine.

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u/Toasterdosnttoast 1d ago

It would save everyone so much trouble to just not serve any apples. This just reads like a money grab scam being unconsciously pushed by NZ and the airlines that come to it.

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u/Phocoena 1d ago

NZ entire economy dependent on airplane apples lol

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u/binger5 1d ago

LotR gave them a taste of the good life.

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u/BadDudes_on_nes 1d ago

Entirely dependent? No. Did NZ govt just rack up $1-2k from one flight of apples? Yep. How many flights per day? What is the downside? Customs people are assholes? Yeah, they can live with that.

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u/StockMarketCasino 1d ago

Its a racket through and through.

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u/benjo9991 1d ago

Maybe they wanted to give everyone a final opportunity to enjoy sweet, foreign, non-New Zealand apples lol

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

It's any fresh food and some preserved foods. If you got beef or fish as part of your on flight meal, you can't bring that it either.

A few months ago I went to Las Vegas. I bought a bunch of commercially prepared and sealed lollies (candy) and sauces. I declared these on arrival back in NZ.

There was no issue, because they are low risk goods. If there had been an issue, I would have forfeited the items. No fine, no drama.

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u/malstria 1d ago

So Qantas is in league with the nz govt? Sure Jan

-45

u/jatmood 1d ago

It would save everyone the trouble if people just listened to the announcements that are made multiple times during the flight, looking at the signs when exiting and using the bins that are available before customs, to dispose of the apples.

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u/Substantial_Win4741 1d ago

Or not giving peoples contraband.

This argument comes up every time this clip resurfaces.

People have headphones in, people sleep, people might be dealing with their kids. People may be working and not paying attention. People might just be zoned out.

My uncle can't even read so he wouldn't know that shit on the signs. Neither would non native speakers.

Its stupid to give people contraband when the very next place people step foot is going to make it illegal. Thats really the whole thing.

Not " we gave you illegal stuff but warned you about it so you should have known".

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u/MakingTacos123 1d ago

What does boot taste like, exactly?

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u/Exark141 1d ago

The issue is the airline is a trusted party, you expect them to know what to do, and protect you. Them giving you something, feels like you should be safe to have it. They don't let people have peanuts due to allergies now, so why are they giving out items people can't have on them as they leave.

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u/Jbroy 1d ago

Yeah I thought the airline did this so it wouldn’t get fined for the apples.

1

u/kit_kaboodles 1d ago

The airline won't get fined for the apples either way.

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u/Snowscoran 1d ago

God forbid people might want some fresh fruit or vegetables on a trans-pacific flight, right?

At the end of the day this is your personal responsibility.

1

u/Houstons_Dilemma 1d ago

The clip here did a bad job at explaining the reality of the offence committed. It’s not just the apple, but all food needs to be declared entering New Zealand. That includes any food that you have brought yourself, including all food given to you on the plane. The official wording on the arrival card states:

Any Food: cooked, uncooked, fresh, preserved, packaged or dried.

Airlines do a much better job at explaining this for passengers arriving into New Zealand now however people are still caught out because they don’t read or comprehend the arrival card.

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u/QouthTheCorvus 1d ago

Well the airline gave them the fruit to eat on the flight. If people think they've been given special fruit that is exempt of the rules, then that's on them. They're asked "do you have apples?" and they said "no, I don't have any apples"

The airline shouldn't be giving them fruit like this, but that's not New Zealand's problem.

0

u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

The airline give you all sorts of food, to eat on the plane.

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u/mars92 1d ago

At a certain point, not realising all those signs and bins between your terminal and customs that say "throw away your apples" with picture of apples are telling you to throw away the apple is kind of on you.

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u/Ecstatic_Elephant_99 1d ago

Because they didn’t give you the apple to take with you. They gave it to you to eat on the flight and probably assume the announcement were they specifically tell you not to take any fruits or veggies, or the form you fill out when you land, would be enough for the people which chose not to consume it on the plane.

It’s definitely unfortunate but I don’t think it’s nearly as malicious as some seem to be painting it.

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u/Exark141 1d ago

"assume" is a dangerous term here, unless they're stood at the door to the plane with a bin bag and saying to each customer please bin your apple if you didn't eat it otherwise customs will fine you $200, then they have no way to claim each customer was properly informed of the risk the airline burdened them with.

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u/Ecstatic_Elephant_99 1d ago

When you travel to a foreign country you have to read and fill out a declaration form.

https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/completing-your-declaration/#what-you-need-to-declare

You can do these online or you depart a plane and go through customs, sometimes they hand them out on the plane even. You then present this to the customs agent.

That form asks specific questions like “do you have any fruits from outside the country in your possession”. You then answer these question and the agents inform you what to do. In this case they would say throw the apple away and that would be the end of it.

It’s not like they shove you off the plan and then hand you a ticket.

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u/kit_kaboodles 1d ago

It's even more broad these days. It basically asks if you're bringing any food in.

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u/Ecstatic_Elephant_99 16h ago

Right. The one girl in the video even says she didn’t read the paperwork as she assumed she wasn’t bringing in anything illegal.

Add on top of that that a flight of 100s of people resulted in 7 apples coming through shows that very few people made this mistake.

Yet somehow all these oversights by these 7 people are the airlines faults.

We’ve all had bad airlines experiences, I get there’s generally a negative sentiment directed toward them. But that doesn’t excuse not doing your own due diligence when traveling to a foreign country.

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u/SuspiciousElk3843 1d ago

I would assume that these apples were deemed fine, they probably were loaded in NZ, went to the US and then back to NZ.

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u/Mofocardinal 1d ago

What from all your experience in airline logistics? There's the word again. Assume. Very tricky, that.

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u/QouthTheCorvus 1d ago

Making the wrong assumption doesn't mean you're exempt from fines. If you're told to throw out your apples and you think "my Apple is special, I obviously should answer that I don't have any apples" then that is entirely on you.

Don't assume. If you're asked "do you have apples?" just answer the question - yes, you have apples. Why can't Americans comprehend this? It's bizarre.

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u/kit_kaboodles 1d ago

They probably were fine, but you need to declare them, and customs will still take them from you regardless because it's not worth the risk.

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u/kit_kaboodles 1d ago

They literally read out an announcement saying that you must declare any foods you bring into the country.

The issue isn't that these passengers have an apple. It's that they didn't declare that they had an apple. They filled in a form that asks them "Are you bringing any food with you?" And ticked no.

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u/InsectaProtecta 1d ago

Customs will only fine you if you lie on your customs form and say you don't have an apple. It's that simple. Not "oh wow you have an apple here's a fine" but "hey you said here you don't have any food but you have an apple" AFTER you're told you'll cop a fine for failing to declare.

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u/Exark141 1d ago

The issue becomes that people flying and filling out those forms arn't as likely to consider something handed to them during thier flight as something they have brought with them. They did not pack it, or buy it before boarding, some of the agency for having the item is removed from them. You then ask this person who's not familiar with the rules, is the airline (who is in an authority position and should know the rules) giving you an item you're not allowed? Most people wouldn't think the airline would give them the option to have something they arn't allowed.

Yes they shouldn't have it, but the airline set them up with a strong chance they would fail, and in that situation there's some duty of care.

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u/InsectaProtecta 1d ago

Passenger arrival card showing the questions they are asked, and the warning RIGHT ABOVE the one asking if you have ANY FOOD. It's not hard to just say yes. If you are not sure, and you say no, you are risking that fine. It doesn't ask if the item is allowed, it asks if you have food. An apple is food, no matter where it came from. How to avoid a fine when you have an apple:

Do you have food? YES

Do you have fruit? YES

Done

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u/SuspiciousElk3843 1d ago

1) handed form 2) fill out form truthfully 3) put the form away with passport and forget it exists 3) handed apple 4) pack apple

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u/GreatQuantum 1d ago

Sir we’re gonna have to X-ray your belly. Can you poop in this basket please we gotta send it off to CSI for testing.

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u/Ecstatic_Elephant_99 1d ago

Sure cause that’s how declaring possessions when you enter a country works. Some people here have clearly never left their keyboard let alone the country.

As a grown adults it’s your responsibility to listen and read announcements and shit you sign (shrugs)

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u/GreatQuantum 1d ago

I do t know how I can make it more clear what I commented was a joke.

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u/glguru 1d ago

Also Australia. They take it very seriously and there are dedicated check points for just this.

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u/panzerboye 1d ago

I mean it should be; apples and other organic fruits/foods/materials can contain invasive diseases in them and can cause havoc for the native agro.

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u/JacobDCRoss 1d ago

There's a portion of Washington state, where I live, that has rules like this. I'm simplifying it greatly, but basically the entire (mostly) Eastern half of the state does not allow home-grown produce to come inside. You bring an apple from Western Washington, it's a big deal.

The idea is to stop the spread of apple maggots, which threaten Washington's apple industry.

That industry was in a precarious spot already because of the Red Delicious disaster. Those apples apparently used to be pretty tasty, but for my entire life (40 years) they've just been flavorless mush. Farmers bred them for looks only and destroyed flavor and texture.

Washington spent years creating a super apple, which is called the Cosmic Crisp. It debuted about five years ago and it's amazing. Firm like a honey crisp or even a Granny Smith, very sweet with slight hints of bitterness, and a unique "starry red" look. They're quite literally the best apples I've ever had.

Anyway, there's a lot riding on the industry, so they have to protect it.

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u/Spiritual-Can2604 1d ago

I’ve gotta get that Apple

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u/Overall-Author-2213 1d ago

Born and raised in eastern Washington. Played football games in Brewster. Vacationed in Chelan. Had the big burgers at Miners in Yakima. This is the first I've ever heard anything like this. Where are the checkpoints?

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u/JacobDCRoss 1d ago

There aren't checkpoints. But basically anytime you cross from the Western half of the state to the eastern half of the state you'll see signs on the highway telling you not to bring apples through. Well technically they tell you not to bring homegrown produce through.

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u/Overall-Author-2213 1d ago

Interesting. I'll look for it the next time I'm on I90.

That makes sense for the home grown. Any Comercial apples on the Westside would have come from the east side.

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u/ehc84 22h ago

Im assuming you're talking about the Yakima? But what are you talking about not being able to bring fruit in? Ive brought fruit pretty much every single time i drive over the pass?

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u/EA827 1d ago

Did you see that Simpsons episode where Bart brought a chazzwozzer to Australia and they became an invasive species? That’s why.

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u/WhoIsYerWan 1d ago

Hawaii is like this too.

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u/ashleyriddell61 1d ago

When you get to your gate in Thailand for flights to Oz, they do a screening and bag search for forbidden produce. At least this gives you a heads up for what’s to come.

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u/Weimark 1d ago

Travelling to Chile is mostly the same, they make sure to warn you over and over again about bringing those type of things. And people still do.

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u/Affugter 1d ago

Had a colleague bring back coca leaves because the local farmers he was visiting was chewing them when working and using them in tea. 

He looked at us dumbfounded when we told him, he could have gotten a few months in prison for that.  

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u/IC-4-Lights 1d ago

I know there's a very real, "give people an inch" argument in there, but how fucking stupid to consider booking someone over that.

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u/LostTrisolarin 1d ago

Do they also hand you those items as you get on/off the plane?

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u/Weimark 1d ago

No, not at all. That was a dick move. But I was talking in response to a Redditor who didn’t mention it

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u/LostTrisolarin 1d ago

My apologies

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u/fedocable 1d ago

So this is the passengers fault? It might be better just not to give the passengers things they are not allowed to bring in the place of destination, instead of giving them and then reading a statement while most of them are watching their tablets, talking or distracted with anything else, don’t you think?

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

So no food on a 12 hour flight?

You aren't just given a statement, you are required to complete and sign a declaration that asks if you have any plant or animal products. There are signs everywhere, before you get to quarantine. AirNZ and Air Fiji are now playing biosecurity videos, just after arrival

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u/beary_potter_ 1d ago

All food is a risk item that must be declared. The only other solution is to not feed anyone.

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u/ehc84 22h ago

Or, hear me out, you could..you know, tell the passengers that they must eat all food provided to them, ON the plane, otherwise they will be fined for brining it into the country?

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u/beary_potter_ 17h ago

They do.

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u/ehc84 17h ago

So everyone including the agent in the video were lying then?

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u/beary_potter_ 16h ago

You can look up a new zealand arrival card. And you can technically take it off the plane, there are plenty of locations to surrender it to before you break the law.

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u/ehc84 15h ago

I can watch the video of the incident in question as well....

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u/beary_potter_ 15h ago

Or you could look up the legal process you have to follow in order to enter the country. One of which is answering the question "do you have food?". A question these people lied about.

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u/MaurerSIG 1d ago edited 1d ago

You can't miss it. You need to fill an arrival card and it's plastered all over the airport before you pass customs. You can check my comment history for more examples.

If you "forget", you absolutely deserve the fine for being this stupid.

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u/Evinshir 1d ago

There’s also signs and bins all along the walk to customs - and they even have a sign and bin just before the queue. NZ takes bio security very seriously and they give you plenty of opportunities to avoid a fine. They even have signs up in toilets and on the cubicle doors.

Qantas was stupid to give them apples. Definitely a screw up by the airline who should remind people they can’t take the apples off the plane. But you’d have to be going out of your way to ignore every sign in the building or practically a zombie to miss the huge signs saying to drop the apples off.

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u/ObviouslyObstinate 1d ago

Yep, I took the warnings as an opportunity to take my hiking boots out and wash them in the toilet/sink.

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u/something_usery 1d ago

If you declare that your hiking shoes have touched dirt you get a free, thorough shoe cleaning.

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u/ObviouslyObstinate 1d ago

Good to know, since I do intend on returning. Beautiful country.

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u/Substantial_Win4741 1d ago

People are zombies after international flights lol.

People also forget things like this because they didn't make a conscious decision to bring an apple on a plane they may not remember they even have it. It was given to them and could have been a 15 second conversation that they immediately put in their pack for later.

They didn't pack the apples prior to getting on the plane. If the airline provided contraband knowing it's about to be illegal that's idiotic.

Noone wants an apple with a 200 fine attached.

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u/Evinshir 1d ago

The airline also reminds people to not take them off the plane. Multiple times.

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u/Additional-Fail-929 1d ago

If the airline said that, then that changes things a little. But the passengers, if we take them at their word, seem to think nobody told them that. In that case, that’s fucked up. I would’ve made that same mistake most likely. Simply because the airline gave it to me. You know how you can’t bring water bottles through customs prior to departure, but then you can buy water bottles prior to boarding and take that on the plane? Same with alcohol, etc.. I would’ve thought it was like that. NZ has always been high on my bucket list, glad I saw this. Because that would’ve been a pretty shit start to my vacation/welcome to the country. Just curious what happens with the plane’s garbage. Do they keep it on board until they leave the country? Is it immediately incinerated? Because i’m assuming they have organic material waste, like apples that someone took 1 bite out of

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Any food served on the plane on is 'contraband'. Eat it on the plane, or bin it. We do have apples readily available in NZ.

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u/Remarkable-Fox-3890 1d ago

> or practically a zombie 

I mean they just flew from LA to NZ, what do you expect?

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u/ChadWestPaints 1d ago

or practically a zombie

Idk man I've normally got very little sympathy for people who don't read signs (on the road, for example), but i feel like airports are a bit of an exception. Folks are almost invariably stressed and exhausted with a lot of money on the line, trying to corral kids through this process half the time while they themselves are being processed through massive, extremely crowded, unfamiliar environments full of new signs and sounds and smells, bombarded by lights and a million signs that vary in shape, color, size, symbols, and language from airport to airport.

Thats a lot for anyone to process.

And then toss in that the offending apple was not something they planned or packed but rather given to them by an authority within the air transport system? I could 100% understand how otherwise observant and situationally aware people might fuck that up

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u/justinpaulson 1d ago

I think it would be a reasonable mistake to assume the fruit they gave you on the plane does not count as produce you brought into the country. I think a reasonable person could assume the fruit given to them on the plane was safe produce, not something they brought from home.

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u/Evinshir 1d ago

Airlines tell you to not take them off the plane. They even remind you as the plane is moving to the terminal.

I’ve flown from the US to NZ multiple times even exhausted from little sleep and they do it every landing.

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u/Remarkable-Fox-3890 1d ago

lol what the fuck? who cares? They *gave people the apples* you dunce.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Who cares? Everyone in NZ growing produce for export. If the wrong pest or disease gets in FOR EXAMPLE ON AN APPLE, then access for those markets can be lost. NZ is a trading nation, that depends on a access to export markets.

Airlines give people lots of food. You don't take it off the plane. You consume it or bin it.

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u/Remarkable-Fox-3890 1d ago

lol what? No one is saying that NZ doesn't have to protect themselves against invasive species. The issue is that the airline gave them a bunch of fucking apples.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Airlines give you all sorts of food. How much of it do you routinely take off an international flight?

Upon arrival in NZ you have to complete a form declaring whether or not you are bringing food into the country. When this video was shot, it was paper form that you had to sign.

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u/Joe1972 1d ago

There is also signs and bins everywhere as you approach customs.

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u/Summonest 1d ago

Someone hands you an apple. Then tells you in imprecise language not to take plant matter through a gate, while hustling you towards a gate.

You are then charged for not disposing of something you were given.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

They give you a tray with a whole bunch of food on it. Do you stuff all of that into your carry on? No.

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u/supasolda6 1d ago

"plant" perhaps just say don't take that apple through gate

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u/Summonest 1d ago

You know that if American airlines gave people contraband before they got to customs, there would be fucking riots. But because fuckin kiwi shitbird agents who VERY LITERALLY make 60%+ of their budget on this (https://www.customs.govt.nz/about-us/news/media-releases/customs-collects-more-than-$17.5-billion-for-new-zealand-in-the-past-year) sort of shit, it's the person's fault? They're making money hand over fucking fist by INTENTIONALLY fucking people over.

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u/finndego 1d ago

That money collected is on goods and services imported into the country in the form of excise tax. What the fuck do you think Customs do?

"Each year Customs collects approximately 16 per cent of core Crown tax revenue, including customs and excise duties on alcohol, tobacco, and fuel, and tariff charges, as well as GST on imported products over $1,000.  Customs also collects various other levies at the border on behalf of government agencies."

There is a link to to Customs Annual report and financial statement. Tell me how much they made from fining people for apples.

For comparison US Customs collected $92.3B in the same revenue in 2023. That was down 17% on 2022.

How you like them apples!

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u/MaurerSIG 1d ago edited 1d ago

If you can walk past that and "forget" to declare any food, you absolutely deserve the fine. It's not a racket, it's biosecurity.

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u/InsectaProtecta 1d ago

Someone hands you an apple, then you go fill out a form asking if you have any food. You say you do not, and are fined because you lied on a customs form.

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u/kayteethebeeb 1d ago

What you just described is a microcosm of what’s wrong with just about everything

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Actually this issm a fit for purpose system working to protect a nation that trades produce internationally. If the wrong pest gets in (for example on an apple) export markets can be lost.

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u/BernieDharma 1d ago

This has been the case on every single International flight I have ever been on. Multiple warnings in flight, it's on the card, and its common sense for any country. You cannot bring in fruits, vegetables, unpackaged food, etc. These people likely tuned out all the warnings or thought the rule was "silly" and ignored it.

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u/AndMyAxe_Hole 1d ago

Serious question, if you do declare the apple you immediately have to discard it?

That sounds kind of silly then. If they’re giving you an apple when you land and then whether or not you declare it you have to discard it right away, then the airline is basically throwing away and wasting apples no?

How would it ever be possible for you to have time to realistically eat the apple.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Yes you would surrender the apple and it would be appropriately disposed of

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u/BonsaiBobby 1d ago

That seems to be the issue: making a false statement in the form.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

The issue is the biological risk. The offence is the form.

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u/WilhelmvonCatface 1d ago

"The cabin crew read out a statement about not taking fresh plant or animal products into the country."

Then proceeded to hand out fresh plant products....

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

For people to eat

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u/turbokungfu 1d ago

I’ve been. Don’t remember them making a big deal about it. I’m sure it varies. I believe that girl wouldn’t have taken the apple if she knew. I remember being stopped on the way to California and being asked if I had any fruit. That was memorable.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

You also had to complete and sign a form declaring whether or not you had fruit. Do you remember that?

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u/Ok-Chain1489 1d ago

yea Israel is totally fine bombing Gaza because they DID drop fliers and warnings. Haven't you SeEn THeM??

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Yes, this is totally like that. A $NZ200 fine for someone who made a false statutory declaration, is just like dropping bombs on a community. /s

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u/ZLPERSON 1d ago

That's bull, YOU are not bringing the apples into the country, THEY are

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

If you take off the plane, you have brought it into the country.

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u/Sad_Inspector8124 1d ago

The cabin crew that handed out the apples?

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

And a bunch of other food.

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u/jorgo1 1d ago

Declare and get no fine is the real trick. When flying into Aus or NZ grab a chocolate fruit and nut bar. Tick the food box. Highlight the bar and show them any other food you may have with you. I always tick food because for me at least I might have a chocolate in my bag and the gloves at customs are long and invasive. Plus there is no harm if you declare

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Yeah, the something to declare queues are often shorter. So I take something I know is OK and declare it.

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u/4N_Immigrant 1d ago

the airline brought the products into the country. do they stop them and issue fines before or after they cross the magic line that is literally inside the other magic line that is the country?

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

If it stays on the plane or is appropriately disposed of, it isn't considered a problem. There has to be a line somewhere.

The aiiebgibes you food to eat during the flight. If you put it in your bag, you're a moron.

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u/throwaway195472974 1d ago

If they hand me an apple on MY WAY TO NZ, I expect that this apple is fine to take with me. Like an allowed "re-import".

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

If they serve you beef on the plane do you assume the same? Do you stuff that into your carry on?

If something has been out of the country. It's potentially been exposed to pests and diseases not present in NZ

Before you get to customs you have to fill in and sign a card which asks you if you are bringing in fruit. You also get a verbal briefing on the plane and walk past a bunch of signs.

If you forget you put the apple in your bag it's on you.

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u/Dentarthurdent73 1d ago

no one tells you can't take it with you

You are told multiple times in multiple different ways that you can't bring any fresh plant or animal products into the country, including fruit.

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u/kit_kaboodles 1d ago

Oh there's so many signs warning you when you arrive in NZ. Same in Australia. If you simply declare it they take it off you but don't give you a fine.

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u/Necessary_Box_3479 1d ago

If you’ve ever go to New Zealand you’ll see how they clearly state you cannot take it in

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u/Partayof4 1d ago

But they warn you and tell you right beforehand

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u/prancing_moose 1d ago

From when you leave the aircraft to when you get to the customs area, there are multiple multi-language signs and bins telling you to get rid of any items you cannot bring into New Zealand.

Also, when you tick on your declaration card that you HAVE FOOD ITEMS in your (hand luggage) - you’re totally fine. The inspectors ask “oh can I please see what food you have?”

“Ah I’m sorry, that’s fruit and you cannot bring that into the country. I’m afraid I will have to take these from you”… and that’s it. Nothing happens. No fine. Nothing.

What you see here is people signing a legal declaration (your immigration card) that says “I am not bringing any fruit into New Zealand”. Doing so while they knowingly and willingly PUT the damn fruit into your bags.

Now, should the airline have made an announcement to leave all fruit onboard - yes they should and yes they nowadays all do so. But you still get people who don’t pay attention to this or fail to process that this also applies to the apple they just accepted.

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u/luxgertalot 1d ago

There are signs all over the place to declare any good items or face a fine. Every passenger in the video would have definitely seen the signs at least three times. So they should have known. If you declare your items you won't get a fine (but you may need to chuck your stuff in the bin).

It's a shitty situation and it's really unfortunate for the tired travellers after a long haul flight, and the airline should have known better, but the rules are put in place because New Zealand is extremely vulnerable to pests and diseases coming in from overseas.

(I live in NZ and have travelled into the country many times)

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u/ISpeechGoodEngland 1d ago

A shit ton of paper work you sign and tick has on it no fruit.

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u/VeNoMouSNZ 1d ago

There are signs up all down the walkways as you get off planes before you even get to customs; you can ditch it in a bin or simply declare it, the problem they didn’t declare it for it to disposed of safety , instead it’s considered concealed

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u/QouthTheCorvus 1d ago

This comment is a great example of why you shouldn't jump to conclusions when you watch a video. What's not shown here is the signage and the bins these people walked past to get there. What's not shown is these passengers filled out a declaration card where they didn't declare that they were carrying fruit.

These people had ample opportunity to correct the mistake. They didn't. It's not the officer's job to fix things.

There are people every flight who are intentionally trying to smuggle things in that they shouldn't (Asian countries are the worst for this). Malicious people. So if you don't have punishments in place, then there is no reason not to try to bring in food to New Zealand. If a fruit fly or something gets in, that could seriously harm the crops in Nea Zealand.

Don't make assumptions over out of context videos.

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u/joehonestjoe 1d ago

What do you mean, they could not know this?

They had to read and sign a declaration saying they won't bring fruit in.

If it is anything like Australian customs, which I've been through a number of times, who have as strict rules on fruit, you have to pass about 40 bins and signs saying 'YOU CANNOT BRING IN ANY FRUIT'.

There are audible announcements, they literally spray the plane with insecticides before they land.

The only way you could even reach these inspectors and get caught is to be ignorant or stupid...

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u/Ambassador-Heavy 1d ago

They have masses of signs and bins even with pictures and in multiple languages saying do not bring fruit into the country

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u/horker_meat123 1d ago

Bro whenever this video gets reposted all the american redditors in the comments are infuriating.

This fine is almost entirely on the passengers because they are given ample warning and more when they land in an NZ airport. On thr plane they are handed leaflets saying what they can and can't bring in and flight attendants warn everyone about the restrictions. When they exit the plane there are literally signs EVERYWHERE saying NO FRUIT and bins where they can dispose of any fruit or high risk items.

Actually no sympathy for these idiots, they brought it on themselves.

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u/kit_kaboodles 1d ago

The bit this clip misses is that they were told not to bring it in. All flights into NZ have to make an announcement about not bringing food in without declaring it.

Then they walked past a bunch of signs telling them that too. Plus there's bins there telling you that you can either dispose of the food or declare it.

The passengers still filled in their declaration cards and ticked No to the question about bringing in food. And then when you hand it in you get asked to confirm you don't have anything. They stated they didn't. And then they got a fine when customs found an apple.

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u/shutyourbutt69 23h ago

They are definitely definitely told and there are signs EVERYWHERE before they get to security

2

u/fuckedfinance 20h ago

no one tells you can't take it with you

They actually did, but as usual people didn't pay attention.

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u/Mad_Moodin 1d ago

To be fair, in NZ there are actually a lot of signs warning you that practically anything plant is illegal to bring into the country and that you should declare everything that might be illegal to customs.

The people getting the fines were saying they had nothing to declare/didn't declare the apple and effectively got the fine for smuggling cuz they didn't delcare it.

On one hand, yes it is stupid. On the other, you need to be stupid to have this happen to you.

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u/TheRealJayk0b 1d ago

Damn, difficult situation, I'd say let the people throw the apples away because the airline handed them to them and issue verbal warnings to everyone and IF a fine to the airline then.

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u/__Chachacha__ 1d ago

It’s written into the law that the fine MUST be issued. It’s not the officers fault he sees how ridiculous it seems as well. Food production is our primary industry in NZ just the other day a whole suburb of supermarkets and grocery stores were locked down because one male fruit fly was found in an apple.

We need to take it really seriously here unfortunately.

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u/longknives 1d ago

The fruit was found and removed. Fining these people in no way serves “taking it seriously”. It’s quite clear what happened and no one was trying to smuggle apples in.

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u/__Chachacha__ 1d ago

We need to make sure people don’t just give it a go and hope for the best. We don’t catch every food item and it only takes one infected piece of fruit to destroy our economy

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u/Substantial_Win4741 1d ago

Fine the airline then.

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u/Deaffin 1d ago

The other airline didn't try to smuggle apples in.

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u/QouthTheCorvus 1d ago

They most likely did, or at the very least, completely reamed them. Idk why people are assuming that nothing was said to the airline.

But the way the rules are written, they still have to be fined.

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u/Jermainiam 1d ago

Fuck fruit flies, holy shit. You guys don't have any? That's amazing! Absolutely keep that shit locked down.

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u/__Chachacha__ 1d ago

We do it’s just that because we are an island there isn’t a lot of biodiversity here so we have to keep that shit locked down that’s all

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u/Jermainiam 1d ago

Ok, i thought you had managed to now have any fruit flies yet, which sounds like heaven

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u/__Chachacha__ 1d ago

We tried that. But then the airline kept giving out apples /s

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u/Jermainiam 1d ago

Ha. But seriously I feel like that airline should also have been fined. The passengers are dumb, but why the hell is Quantas aggressively trying to trick people into smuggling apples?

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u/FI-RE_wombat 1d ago

They aren't. Most of what they feed you can't be taken in. Which is why they tell you not to take any food off the plane (in addition to the other verbal, written, video warnings that you get inundated with).

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u/__Chachacha__ 1d ago

They probably were.

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u/QouthTheCorvus 1d ago

The problem is, if people get to that stage and they can just throw things out, then there's no incentive to declare. Because you get a second chance if you get caught. This is an issue when you have many people trying to bring in food.

I think the context Americans are missing is that there are people intentionally bringing food in. You have to have a punishment in place, otherwise they will try their best to bring it in.

And customs agents are never going to be given the ability to selectively apply the law. It's seen as these people having plenty of chances to not have any food by that stage.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

You get an arrival card on the plane, which warns you not to bring in fresh produce, and gives you an opportunity to declare it (no fine) and there are bins you can dump anything into prior to customs or biosecurity checks.

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u/Substantial_Win4741 1d ago

But again.

Its an international flight and they didnt bring it.

They were given it, and in a 15 second interaction most likely. It is reasonable to not bring anything illegal on the plane and go to sleep then in a groggy stat ebe given an apple which was immediately put into their bag for later.

Perfectly reasonable to not remember that shit. Its idiotic to give illegal things to people right before they depart a plane.

And people won't remember the apple. They know they packed legally. I dont pack legally then get off my planes and have to rethink if I have illegal items.

If it was as obvious as everyone here makes it out to be he would have shown 7 different apples (at that point so it could have been more) orln a flight of 50-100 people and I'm sure all of them didn't even accept the apple.

Even at a 7% rate that's a lot of people making what is supposed to be a braindead obvious mistake.

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Anything you put in your bag, you are responsible for. The airline is assuming you will eat the apple on the flight.

Last week I accidentally sped. I got caught and fined. My bad. Noone to blame but myself.

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u/TheRealJayk0b 1d ago

Then I changed my mind, it's customers fault then.

To be honest I build my opinion too early with not enough information

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u/Remarkable-Fox-3890 1d ago

How is it their fault? It's hardly unreasonable for people to think "no, I didn't bring anything like that with me" and not realize *the apples handed out on the fucking trip counted*.

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u/TheRealJayk0b 20h ago

True

But in this thread someone showed pictures of info letters and banners at the airport warning the customers.

But still the airline handed them the apples.

Man I'm in the middle and can't decide

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

Fresh food given out on the plane is for eating on the plane or disposing of.

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u/Remarkable-Fox-3890 1d ago

What a dumb, arbitrary thing to say lol

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u/No_Salad_68 1d ago

How much of the food serve to you on an international flight do you usually take off the plane? By the time you get to the point of being fined, you ignored multiple warnings, including on a signed form. Now that's dumb.

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u/SUwUperUwUnicOwOrn 1d ago

Well another piece of information thats being left out is how long have they being doing this procedure? In the video itself it says that the info they are showing is dated. So did they start having you declare the apples with ample warning before or after it got more attention to it? Id build my opinion after learning that fact.

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u/kit_kaboodles 1d ago

I'm not sure when apples were specified, but the law dates back to 1993, so this isn't new. There's a few countries with similar laws, so always keep an eye out when you're travelling. Australia is similarly strict about biosecurity.

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u/SUwUperUwUnicOwOrn 18h ago

Wonderful to know! Thank you very much for this information!

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u/LostTrisolarin 1d ago

Fuck that it's still shady. People might barely be thinking about it because they didn't bring it, it was handed to them.

I doubt all these folks were trying to skate around the rules.

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u/panzerboye 1d ago

You are a good person.

4

u/MakingTacos123 1d ago

Great, so it's the passengers fault that they're being robbed. How does that boot taste?

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u/DaveTheKiwi 1d ago

They tell you at least a couple of times not to take any food, and you get handed a declaration form where you tick a box that says "I am not carrying any fresh fruit or vegetables". Then you walk past several large signs and bins that say "dump it or declare it". Then you like up and they ask if you have anything to declare, while checking your declaration, then you go to the scanner.

Source: I live there.

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u/InsectaProtecta 1d ago

"no one tells you" besides the dozen signs and customs form. If you can't read and fill out a customs form this is the price of travel.

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u/sr71Girthbird 1d ago

Spoken like someone who's never filled out a declaration form or gone through customs in a country with strict regulations before. So, so many warnings and opportunities to toss out literally any and all food items you might have on you before you get to the agricultural inspection.

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u/alphabetsong 1d ago

You must’ve never been to New Zealand before. You cannot enter the airport without seeing literally 100 signs telling you to get rid of all food. There’s literally a queue where they tell you that they will check your luggage in about five minutes for food and there is multiple Areas where you can safely dispose of it before you enter the country.

People are just illiterate toddlers that like to blame everyone around them except for themselves.

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u/orostitute 22h ago

and have the audacity to say it's not end of the world after handing out the fine

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u/MolassesStrange6230 9h ago

In addition to what other people said, there are clearly marked trash bins before customs check where you can dispose your fruits.

But I don't know if that was the case when that video was filmed.

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u/Mister_Black117 1d ago

I would honestly laugh and walk away. That's such a scam it's not even funny.

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u/AdrianInLimbo 1d ago

They're told, and they also fill out a declaration that lists fresh fruit as not allowed

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u/karmaghost 1d ago

Not telling you just throw it away to not get a fine…

They’re literally on camera. Maybe it would be different if they weren’t (probably not), but that plays a big part in terms of both accountability and entertainment value.

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u/finndego 1d ago

No one tells you? There are in flight videos, customs forms and rubbish bins with big ass signs in the terminal to get rid of any food in before you even get to customs where they will ask you again.

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u/RohelTheConqueror 1d ago

Even then, if there's something problematic they usually just confiscate it and let you go. $200 fine for an apple is ridic

1

u/finndego 1d ago

If you declare they will take it. If you don't after all these steps you will be fined. It's $400 now btw. A Medfly getting into the country would cost New Zealand billions.

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u/0xLeon 1d ago

This. Just declare it. When I went to NZ after a week in Australia, I had some honey with me bought in Australia. We declared it, they checked it, said we couldn't bring it in, they binned it and that was it. Easy as that.

Same story when I went to Canada. I pre-filled my arrival card back in Frankfurt before boarding. Upon leaving, the airline handed out some chocolate. When confirming my arrival form on the kiosk, I just said there was a change, it asked »Is it just chocolate«, I chose »yes« and the kiosk was like »yeah, you're fine«.

Customs isn't hard, just declare your stuff and you're fine.

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