I'm about to leave in a few hours and I had time to clean all the shoes off the dirt but not the tent. It has some loose stuff in it but not any wet or caked soil, also some dust stuck to the floor, perhaps electrostatically, maybe some dog hair. What are my chances of having the tent confiscated (1) on arrival in SYD (2) on arrival in CHC? I will have over a day in Sydney if there's a chance I can get the tent through Australian arrivals but the NZ controls are more stringent.
When we were in Australia, they just washed our shoes and gave 'em back. Maybe you'll get your tent back, but just a bit soggy.
Thanks. The NZ form is a lot scarier than the Australian form, asking if you have been to "a forest" and to declare camping gear even if it's clean. Any word from the kiwis?
Just declare everything. We were searched throughout entire luggage. If the gear is not clean, they will washed it. GU and Vytalite made it through. Tell about WRC and orienteering, it helps.
I declared my "dusty" tent coming into NZ and they didn't give it much notice.
They gave Zara tweezers and made her pull every single grass seed out of her shoes when she thought she had already got all of them.
Just declare all the camping and outdoor gear and your shoes and any food you bring in. It's easiest. They'll ask to look at it and most things will be fine but any seeds or dirt etc will have to be washed off or picked off. Shoes they normally just give a scrub clean if they have mud on them. Tents they normally open up and check the floor and pegs for dirt and clean them for you.
Most food is fine but fresh fruit and veges isn't normally as it can contain diseases that NZ doesn't have. Gels and muesli bars seem fine.
Declaring is the way to go as then there is no fine, they will just confiscate the food that is not allowed and clean the dirty gear.
I guess you're probably here already but maybe the information will be of use to someone.
I'm in Sydney, with a day to wash off the tent. Thanks!!