North to South Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Hi, I know there are many restrictions on taking food into Australia, but just wondered if anyone knows if you can take old wedding cake that’s been kept sealed and for sentimental reasons. It’s 15 years old and is a rich fruit cake and whilst it’s never going to be eaten I’d hate to see it thrown away before we move. Any thoughts / comments would be more than welcome. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieMum Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) Probably not as it's not commercially made and sealed in a factory, though it may depend on if it's a whole cake or part of a cake that's been cut. All food items need to be declared so if it's not allowed, it would just go into the bin here anyway. The only people who can tell you for sure is ABF. https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in Edited February 10, 2020 by AussieMum extra info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumbeat Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) I've just searched here: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories/food and it states Christmas cake is OK so your wedding cake should be too. Items with dried ingredients are usually OK. I'd contact them and check. Edited February 10, 2020 by Drumbeat typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Just remember to declare it when you arrive because it is food - even if it's permitted food, it can be confiscated if you don't declare it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulya Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Declare it. An absolute must Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Plains Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) Excellent advice from Marisawright. I would add general information that Australia, an island continent, is very very particular about food being brought into a country when Australia itself is such a reliable, pest free and disease free feeder of many parts os the world. We like to keep it that way\ and we are not just down the road from an adjoining country and so we can make a bit of bruhar. As far as your wedding cake goes..... Absolutely declare it on your declaration form given to you by the airline. Generally wedding cake is not a problem, unless..... any nuts are not cooked. Previous experience is that Australian customs will most likely appreciate your declaration and pass it through. Please understand that "sentimental reasons"' do not cut it with Australian Customs agents at the border. I think you will be fine provided you declare it and allow custom officers to inspect. Edited February 10, 2020 by Dusty Plains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Over 40 years ago my BiL took a tier of our wedding cake into Australia (for my inlaws who couldnt be there) and it got through alright but that was 40 years ago, they're more stringent now but it'll be a gamble - declare it and hope for the best, plan for the worst and take what comes. One thing Quarantine is not, is sentimental! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 I think it's a gamble because it's not commercially produced and sealed and you can't verify all the ingredients. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyman Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 Why would you want to bring a 15 year old cake with you....just take pictures of it, your never going to eat it..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyman Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 Are you lot being serious, actually talking about bringing 15 year old cakes over to Oz and Christmas cakes..... Please bring some yellow dusters with you as they are like rockin horse shit to find over here..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyman Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 Oh, and please don't invite me to any of your party's as I'm not in to eating 15 year old cake....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simmo Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 7 minutes ago, tonyman said: Oh, and please don't invite me to any of your party's as I'm not in to eating 15 year old cake....... it'll be fine as long as it has been kept wrapped in cling film. Just pick the green bits off. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyman Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 [emoji23] Maybe there saving it for there daughters wedding..... Only another 10 years or so for the cake to hold on for...... Yeah, it'll be fine they will have found more antibiotics by then I recon...... it'll be fine as long as it has been kept wrapped in cling film. Just pick the green bits off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber Snowball Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 On 10/02/2020 at 01:55, Marisawright said: Just remember to declare it when you arrive because it is food - even if it's permitted food, it can be confiscated if you don't declare it. Definitely declare it as it’s not commercially made but not all food is on the landing card now, it’s more specific in its questions. It asks specifically about fish or meat or pet food and nuts and stuff. I still declare everything as they can get narky even if it’s things not on the list. Declared queue often moves quicker as well! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rammygirl Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Are you planning to bring it with you on the plane or ship it with other household goods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unzippy Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 On 15/02/2020 at 14:10, rammygirl said: Are you planning to bring it with you on the plane or ship it with other household goods? Yes, good point. If it is going in the container is going to be subjected to some fairly severe temperature extremes. Even if it is allowed it may not make it in one piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 On 15/02/2020 at 04:30, tonyman said: Oh, and please don't invite me to any of your party's as I'm not in to eating 15 year old cake....... Do you really think it is for eating? lol... I am hazarding a good guess its a momento and has been kept with their wedding cards etc ...lol Cal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubacam Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 What about dried herbs and spices ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 1 hour ago, scubacam said: What about dried herbs and spices ? You can buy them here - I really wouldn't bother. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 1 hour ago, scubacam said: What about dried herbs and spices ? I think you are moving to the Sydney area? Every supermarket sells dried herbs and spices and there are some very good little shops which specialise in herbs and spices. https://www.greenvalleyspices.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 I always find something to declare because you get through quicker- unless you go business class and then they don't bother checking anything. True. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubacam Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 I think you are moving to the Sydney area? Every supermarket sells dried herbs and spices and there are some very good little shops which specialise in herbs and spices. https://www.greenvalleyspices.com/Yes but I have a whole cupboard full here and we are shipping stuff anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 32 minutes ago, scubacam said: Yes but I have a whole cupboard full here and we are shipping stuff anyway Wouldnt bother, just give those you have away. There's no telling but they might think you have marijuana in your herb bottles. Dont put anything foodlike in your container, that's just asking for extra scrutiny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rammygirl Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 We were the same, I just gave them away. Opened jars and packets are going to cause issues. Saying that I did bring (and declare with no issue) sealed commercial (not market) spices from India recently.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouDYorkie Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 Yes but I have a whole cupboard full here and we are shipping stuff anyway Unless they are all sealed they can’t verify that they were commercially packaged/produced anyway as you might just be re-using the jars and do you really want them poking through open packets? I had the same, a cupboard full but donated them to family/friends-it really isn’t worth shipping them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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