Lesson for travelers: pensioner fined $3,000 for chicken sandwich at New Zealand airport
June Armstrong, a pensioner from Canterbury, England, was fined $3,300 for a chicken sandwich she forgot to declare when she arrived in Australia. The 77-year-old grandmother paid the fine but still hopes to get the money back.
The story was reported by the New Zealand Herald. The pensioner claims that she hasn't been able to calm down for five months, thinking about the fine all the time and even taking sleeping pills.
June Armstrong arrived at the airport in Christchurch, New Zealand, on May 2 at around 4 a.m. to catch a morning flight to Brisbane, Australia. She wanted to visit her family and stay with them for three months.
When she arrived at the airport, she bought a muffin and a gluten-free chicken and salad sandwich that was packed. She ate the dessert right away and saved the sandwich for later.
A pensioner bought a chicken and salad sandwich
Source: Pexels
Once in Australia, the woman headed for the exit through border control. When a security officer looked in her backpack, he found a chicken sandwich, checked her declaration and assessed a fine of $3,300.
Hearing the amount of money she would have to pay, the grandmother burst into tears. The staff tried to calm her down. Taking the advice of the security service, she tried to appeal the fine but has not yet been able to do so.
Although a snack containing bread can be imported into Australia, it must not contain meat or uncanned animal products. If a traveler fails to declare items that pose a "high level of biosecurity risk," the fine for violation can be even more than $3,000.
June Armstrong said she had almost come to terms with the idea that she had paid such a large sum due to inattention. The pensioner hopes that her experience will be a lesson for other travelers not to forget about food in their bags.
Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about useful life hacks for the first flights with a child. These recommendations will minimize stress and make your vacation unforgettable.
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