Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the codes they put on your arrival cards mean? I seem to get a different letter written on it by the immigration officer when coming back to Sydney from overseas.
Immigration Codes, Sydney Airport - Does Anyone Know What They Mean?
fenetic on 08/07/2017 - 05:54
Last edited 08/07/2017 - 05:55
Last edited 08/07/2017 - 05:55
Comments
Those codes is so what to check . And move people to the special area
But I mean, why is it a different letter but both times I go through the nothing to declare queue?
Depends on how shifty you look on that day perhaps. Or where you flew in from. The customs officer reading the code makes another judgement. They used to look at me suspiciously when I came back from Amsterdam; that reputation. KL, no problem, dadah laws and all that.
They're customs declaration codes as the next person you hand the card to are custom officials who allocate you to a queue after you collect your luggage and before you exit to the arrival halls.
Each customs declaration question covers a pretty broad category so the actual code written on your card includes your verbal customs declaration - a tick to (say) the plants box could mean you're bringing in anything from processed tea leaves to seeds or a young pineapple tree in your luggage. Hence the code refers to the level of customs checks required and makes the queue official's job easier to manage.
Usually each queue at the exit only does one type of customs and baggage check, so if you have nothing to declare you'll be allocated to a queue that leads straight to the exit whereas other queues may lead to custom officials who require visual sightings of your incoming goods, a full x-ray scan of your luggage or (possibly) even a full body examination if the passport official believes one is required (so avoid looking sweaty and nervous when handing over your passport).