Navya Nair, a well-known Indian actress, was fined almost A$2,000 after airport biosecurity officers in Melbourne found a jasmine garland in her carry-on that she had not declared on arrival from Singapore.
Nair had travelled from Kochi, India, to Singapore and then onward to Melbourne. She told reporters that her father had given her two jasmine gajras — one to wear on the first leg of the journey and a second to keep for the onward flight because the flowers would otherwise wither. She said she placed the spare garland, a 15-centimetre string of flowers, in her handbag and did not declare it on the incoming passenger card.
Australian biosecurity officers discovered the garland after Nair landed in Melbourne on Saturday morning, the ABC reported, and issued the fine for failing to declare the plant material. "What I did was against the law. It was a mistake I made unknowingly. However, ignorance is no excuse," Nair said.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) allows travellers to bring fresh-cut flowers into Australia but requires they be declared. DAFF guidance says passengers may carry up to six shoebox-sized boxes, florist packages or bouquets, provided they declare them for inspection. Declared items may be returned, treated, exported or destroyed depending on biosecurity risk.
Restrictions on importing flowers and live plants are intended to prevent the entry of exotic insects, plant diseases and other biosecurity hazards. Travellers who provide false or misleading information, or who fail to declare items, face penalties. The maximum administrative penalty for a biosecurity breach is A$6,600, and criminal charges can be pursued in more serious cases.
Nair had been invited to Melbourne by the Malayalee Association of Victoria to take part in Onam celebrations, a 10-day harvest festival originating in the Indian state of Kerala that includes boat races and cultural performances. Organisers had included her in a program of events for the community festival.
Australian authorities routinely screen incoming passengers and baggage for items that might pose biosecurity risks. Officials say declaring potential risk goods helps speed inspections and avoid penalties, while undeclared items can be seized and attract fines or further enforcement action.