baggie

hello thx for looking

we are on our way to perth in april and want advice on these 2 things

1.is suncream cheaper in oz than over here save us bringing loads over.

2.if we bring kids medicines should we declare them when we get to the airport in perth or not bother

thx for your help and dare say there'll be more questions to come

karl

Siren & Brian

You will be using that much sunscreen in Perth, just get used to whatever the price is here. I think we pay about $15 for a litre of sunscreen, but I could be wrong.

I would declare the medicines.

claire33

suncream is definetly cheaper over there, so I wouldn't bother taking any with you.

claire

ProofReader

Sunscreen here is made for the Aussie sun ... a tad 'stronger'? Prices probably much of a muchness. Best to buy a pump pack here, I would've thought.

Personally, I don't believe in travelling with anything that's likely to leak: sunscreen, moisturiser, shampoo, conditioner, etc. It also weighs heavily in your baggage. Best to travel with just a trial size or sachet if you need some on the way; otherwise I always buy these things at my destination.

Kids' medicines: depends on how much and what you're talking about. If you have bulk prescription medicine, get a letter from your doctor explaining the reason for carrying so much. Chances are, it won't be requested but if it is, and you don't have one, you could be delayed/have unnecessary hassles. If you're only talking about a packet of kiddies' paracetamol, for example, then there's no need to declare it.

However, I find it best to declare something if you're travelling in on a foreign passport (non-Aussie), simply because the red channel (something to declare) is usually faster. Put a packet of Polos in your pocket and declare them! You'll whizz through in no time (provided that you don't look like a drug-carrying hippy or a country Asian who might be bringing in rice, fish and bok choy for their long-lost son's lunch)!!

Cheers,
PR


PS No disrespect intended to hippies or country Asians here - I just know what the Customs folks look for.

Elaine M

Not if you're coming into Adelaide!

I declared sweets (lollies) and my medication for blood pressure each time (three trips over before I finally emigrated) and the queue was always long and branching off in all directions.

Hopefully it will be better when they finish upgrading the airport though as the immigration hall is currently pretty small.

Elaine M

Pollyana

The guy in front of me when I entered on my migration flight was Asian, with a very large suitcase which they opened to inspect.....and it was FULL of uncooked pizza. I kid you not.

Bordy

Whereas yours was full of "Old speckled hen"

ProofReader

... and pickled onion Monster Munch, of course!

The Thorpes

Not if you are coming into Perth either . After seeing the queues first time around for the 'red' channel (something to declare) we now make sure we have absolutely nothing that needs declaring so that we can whizz through the green channel. Because customs are so strict they do ask to see every bit of food etc so everyone ends up being sent through the red channel. On the other hand if you have nothing for them to check out you can get through much quicker.

Sam

Pollyana

Dry Blackthorn Cider and Hula Hoops actually, but you're on the right lines!!!

baggie

thanks for the advice

i'll send the missus and kids through the nothing to declare with the clothes and stuff and i'll go through the red channel with my suitcase full of marmite,strongbow,paxo,english chocolate and monster munch.which are for my poorly pom relative who really misses them

chr1sarter

Never heard of declaring medicine before. H\ave travelled most of the world except Australia, and never been asked.

ABCDiamond

Australian Customs do state that All drugs and medicines, are to be declared; "Medicines include prescribed medications, non- prescription, complementary, alternative, herbal and traditional medicines; vitamins and mineral preparations; and nutritional and dietary supplements."

You also have to be careful bringing them into the UK aswell "If you are within the permitted quantities or have a licence there is no need to declare your medicines to UK Customs. www.hmce.gov.uk/
So you need to check what the permitted quantities are, or declare them to bew on the safe side.

MrsDagboy

Are you kidding?!?!?!?!??!!? :scared:

Edit : in regards the original question, sunscreen here (Brisbane) is around $11-$12 for a 1 litre pump pack.

squeezzii

One other small point about taking medicines with you-keep it all in the original packets/boxes - I've never bothered to declare any standard stuff-calpol,medised,neurophen etc but I know someone who took thier prescription stuff and took it out of boxes to save space and were chosen for a bag search and had a f*****g nightmare trying to explain all the blister packs of drugs in thier bag...... :scared: