A Passenger Was Just Fined Nearly $2,000 for Bringing McDonald's Breakfast Sandwiches Into Australia — Here's Why
A passenger traveling to Australia was fined more than $1,800 after they tried to bring a pair of McDonald's egg and beef sausage McMuffins into the country along with a ham croissant.
The passenger, who was traveling from Bali to Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory, was fined a total of $2,664 Australian dollars ($1,849 USD) for the undeclared food mishap, according to the country's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Australia has strict laws on what can and cannot be brought into the country. The country has also issued an alert and established Biosecurity Response Zones in international airports to monitor foot-and-mouth disease
Courtesy of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Undeclared FMD-risk products "McDonald's Egg McMuffin and pancakes," found by Zinta at Darwin airport
The offending breakfast sandwiches were discovered by Zinta, a detector dog who responded to the passenger's backpack.
"This will be the most expensive Maccas meal this passenger ever has, this fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali, but I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australia's strict biosecurity measures, and recent detections show you will be caught," Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said in a statement. "Australia is FMD-free, and we want it to stay that way. Zinta was placed at Darwin Airport as part of the Albanese Government's tough new biosecurity defences, and it's excellent to see she is already contributing to keeping the country safe."
Courtesy of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Detector Dog Zinta in Darwin with handler at Darwin airport
Australia requires travelers to declare "risk" items like certain food (including cheese, honey, and nuts), animal products, and plant material.
"Some goods you buy overseas can carry a host of exotic pests and diseases. These can harm our environment and industries," the country wrote in its guidance. "Avoid buying gifts and souvenirs that pose a risk to Australia. Also, be aware that some items you brought with you on your trip can get contaminated. Make sure it's allowed before you bring it back."
Different countries have different rules when it comes to what is and what is not allowed. In the United States, travelers are required to declare all food products and failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $10,000, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Meat, milk, egg, and poultry are generally prohibited or restricted.
Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
