Flames123

Good Day everyone.
I am aware of the fact that Australia has a very quarantine law in place.
I am given to understand that pine cones in Christmas decor is a strict no-no.
What is the status of artificial berries on artificial trees?
I have a rather nice Christmas tree that has both pine cones and berries on it.
I will look at removing the pine cones, but what should I do with the berries?
Can i keep them?
Or as an alternative, can i remove them and bring them with me as carry-on baggage? I will declare it of course.

Pollyana

Pine cones -definite no-no. There is a chance of getting them through but destruction costs a lot so not worth the risk
Berries -sore point here, I had a hat with artifical (plastic) berries on. AQIS insisted they were real and charged me for destruction. Again you may be lucky but be ready for the opposite. Back in 2003 it cost me nearly $200 for destruction. I had to pay it or they wouldn't release the rest of my stuff.

So, my advice would be to get rid of them too. Possibly just dump the tree and buy a new one here?

Flames123

thanks Polyanna. cant get rid of the tree i just bought it with the intention of bringing it with me to WA ....aghhhh ..wish i knew about the pine cones and berries before buying it.
thanks again.

Pollyana

Welll..... either you can risk it, or take off the berries and cones, Wish I could give you better news, but the meer mention of Christmas decs seems to send AQIS into a flat spin

rasen78

Can you not sell it on a local page/gumtree? Maybe donate it to a local hospital/hospice/children's home?

Trees are readily available and affordable here.

moneypenny20

Can I ask why? I mean, I get it if it's your childhood tree which you have an emotional connection with but to buy one just to bring over presumably in your luggage I don't understand.

Flames123

no, not in my luggage...I intend to ship it....it was only the beriies i thought of bringing in with my luggae ...daft, I know...but well we're all a little eccentric at times

Flames123

on a more serious note, i understand what you all are on about; and so i will re-think the tree altogether.

moneypenny20

I bought a new Dyson to bring over with me. Never considered a christmas tree. Good luck with the move.