"Did They Tell You to Pay 3 Million Won Too?" Travelers Alarmed by Hefty Fines in Australia

Fined 1.63 Million Won for Carrying Cherry Tomatoes
Strict Quarantine and Traffic Laws in Australia Demand Extra Caution

A case has come to light in which a traveler was fined 1,800 Australian dollars (approximately 1.63 million won) in Australia for carrying a few cherry tomatoes in their bag, highlighting the need for caution regarding local entry regulations and traffic laws.

Recently, cases like this, where travelers have been fined in Australia, have been shared on social networking services (SNS). Yonhap News reported that a mother and daughter who were planning to visit Sydney were fined a large sum at Sydney Airport after placing cherry tomatoes in their luggage.

Australia strictly restricts the import of food items upon entry, and failure to declare even a small quantity of ingredients results in a fine. On the overseas online community Reddit, there was also a case where a European traveler was fined 3,300 Australian dollars (about 3 million won) for entering the country with a chicken sandwich in their bag.

Sydney Opera House in Australia Pixabay

There are also cases of hefty fines for traffic violations. In Melbourne this past May, a traveler was fined 494 Australian dollars (about 440,000 won) for running a red light, even though the violation lasted only 0.5 seconds.

Australia is known as one of the countries with the strictest quarantine and traffic regulations in the world. As a result, a moment of carelessness can lead to fines amounting to millions of won, visa cancellation, or even deportation.

When entering Australia, all food, animal or plant-related items, and any suspicious goods must be declared, and local traffic regulations should be thoroughly reviewed in advance. In particular, regulations regarding traffic signals, speed limits, parking, and school zones must be strictly observed. Passing through a yellow light is also considered a violation unless it is an emergency.

Therefore, it is essential to check relevant information through official agencies or reliable sources before departure. Experts advise, "To ensure a safe trip and stay in Australia, travelers must abandon any complacent attitude such as 'It should be fine.'"