Indian actress Navya Nair was fined nearly $2,000 by Australian authorities after failing to declare a jasmine garland she carried in her hand luggage on arrival in Melbourne, officials and local reports said.
Nair, who flew from Kochi, India, to Singapore before boarding a final flight to Melbourne, told local media that her father had given her two jasmine gajra garlands — one to wear during the long flight and a second to keep fresh for arrival. She said she kept the second garland in her carry-on and did not declare it on her incoming passenger card. When biosecurity officers found the flowers at Melbourne Airport, she was issued the fine.
Australian biosecurity rules allow small quantities of cut flowers for personal use to be brought into the country, but they must be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card and are subject to inspection by biosecurity officers, according to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Cut flowers that are free of pests and disease can be approved for entry after inspection. If passengers fail to declare plant material, they may face penalties and, in some cases, the carrier can be fined for non-compliance.
News outlets reported that a small volume of flowers — often described as up to six small boxes or bouquets — can be carried on a flight or cruise ship if declared. If pests or diseases are found during inspection, passengers are generally responsible for treatment costs or may choose to dispose of the material. Undeclared items can trigger larger penalties, with some import breaches attracting fines of up to $6,600, depending on the nature of the item and the circumstances.
Nair acknowledged the mistake in comments reported by local outlets and on social media, saying, "What I did was against the law. It was a mistake I made unknowingly. However, ignorance is no excuse." She was in Australia to attend an Onam celebration organised by the Malayalee Association of Victoria, according to reports.
Australian authorities have emphasised biosecurity at borders to prevent the introduction of insects, bacteria, viruses and fungi that could harm agriculture and native ecosystems. Live plant material, including cut flowers, can carry such risks and is screened on arrival. Officers assess declared items and may permit entry if no risks are found, or require treatment or disposal if biosecurity concerns are identified.
The incident illustrates the practical importance of the incoming passenger declaration process for travellers carrying plant material. Biosecurity officers at Australian airports routinely inspect declared items; failing to declare them can lead to on-the-spot fines and further enforcement action. Nair said she accepted responsibility for the oversight and the resulting penalty.
