- By Yashashvi Tak
- Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Can Carrying Gajra to Australia airport leads to huge fines? Recently a Malayalam actor Navya Nair was fined AUD 1,980 (Rs 1.14 lakh) at the Melbourne airport in Australia for carrying 15-cm-long jasmine ‘Gajra’. What are the rules behind this penalty? Why is it prohibited, and what makes Australia so strict about such items? Here’s an explainer on Australia’s airport regulations.
Why You Can’t Bring Flowers To Australia
Australia classifies such plants and flowers as “high-risk” because they may introduce pests or diseases that threaten its unique ecosystem. Even seeds are allowed only with special certification and must be completely clean, free from soil, disease traces, and any parent plant parts such as pods, leaves, or stems.
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Arrival Passengers Rules At Australia Airport
According to the studyaustralia.gov.au website there are many items that you must declare on your Incoming Passenger Arrival Card when you land in Australia, including:
1. Live Animals
2. Plants and Seeds
3. Unpackaged Meat Products
4. Eggs, Egg Products, Milk
5. Fruits and Vegetables
6. Herbs and Traditional Medicine
7. It is illegal to carry (or use) drugs, including marijuana, cannabis, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines, in and out of Australia.
Australia Airports Security Rules
According to the website, “You cannot bring fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry, pork, eggs, dairy products, live plants or seeds to Australia. These products could introduce serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating our unique environment. By law, you must declare any goods listed on your incoming passenger card, including certain food, plant material and animal products."
Penalty
Fine: A$5,500.
Cancellation of visa
Refusal of entry into Australia
Immigration detention pending departure from Australia.
Other Important Notes When Entering Australia
1. Proactively apply for an Australian visa at least 1 month before the planned departure date.
2. Consider buying gifts for friends and family when returning to Australia at the Australian airport to receive tax exemptions.
3. Thoroughly research the regulations on imported goods.
4. Prepare all necessary personal documents (such as visa, passport, ID card), health certificates, and Entry Forms to facilitate your entry into Australia.
Why was Malayalam Actor Navya Nair Fined At Melbourne Airport?
Nair was heading to the Onam celebrations organised by the Malayali Association of Victoria.
Navya Nair narrated the incident. “Before I came here, it was my father who bought jasmine for me. He cut it into two parts and gave it to me. He asked me to wear one in my hair from Kochi to Singapore, since it would wither by the time I reached. He told me to keep the second one in my handbag so I could wear it on the onward journey from Singapore. I put it in my carry bag," she was quoted as saying in several media reports.
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“What I did was against the law. It was a mistake I made unknowingly. However, ignorance is no excuse. For bringing a 15-cm jasmine string, officials asked me to pay a fine of AUD 1,980 (Rs 1.14 lakh). A mistake is a mistake, though it was not intentional. They told me the fine must be paid within 28 days," she added.
Years ago, cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag were fined about $100 at Auckland Airport in New Zealand for carrying ‘dirty shoes.’
