The Sun, Travel News
Amazing twist in case of woman fined £1,500 over her Subway sandwich after flouting little-known rule
Jul
A WOMAN who was hit with a £1,500 fine because of her Subway sandwich after accidentally flouting a little-known rule has revealed an amazing twist in her case.
Jessica Lee was stunned when she was stung by Aussie custom rules after failing to declare two ingredients to customs officers after touching back down in the country.
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The 19-year-old was forced to fork out an eye-watering £1,500 on a fine – all because of the foot-long sub.
But Jessica how now revealed generous Subway bosses have taken pity on her and sent her a gift box because of her troubles.
She recorded herself opening a white box from the fast food company, which included a voucher for £1,500 worth of grub, news.com.au reports.
A message inside the package read: “To say thank you for eating fresh we’ve uploaded a Sub card with $2664 just for you.
“We hope this covers all your chicken and lettuce needed. Love from your Subway fans.”
“Shut up,” the teen giggled as she showed off the other merchandise she received in her latest TikTok clip.
She added in the caption: “Subway you have outdone yourself and this fine is worth every cent,” she said in the caption.
“You can best guess what I am getting for lunch and dinner today.”
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The fast food company had previously promised they would “work their magic” after her story first circulated online.
Jess’s TikTok video went viral after she revealed the bizarre reason for the huge fine.
She said she had failed to declare two ingredients in the sandwich to customs officers after landing back in Australia from a trip to Europe.
Jessica said: “I just basically paid $2,600 for my Subway.”
She explained she bought a foot-long sub on a stopover at Singapore airport “because I was a hungry girl after my 11-hour flight.”
She said she ate half, and saved the rest for her second flight to Perth.
The flight crew were “more than happy” with her taking it on board.
But she ended up not eating the second half, and did not realise she had to include it when she filled in her customs declaration.
She said: “I didn’t tick chicken and I didn’t tick lettuce. Chicken and lettuce.
“And that is a nice little $2,664… to be paid in 28 days. I quit my job before this trip. I have rent to pay.
“I am very aware this is my mistake and I do take ownership, I am paying the fine. Don’t copy my expensive mistakes.”
A follow-up video showed a close-up of her paperwork issued at Perth airport on July 1, showing she was hit with 12 penalty units totalling $2,664 (£1,515).
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At the time, some viewers were less than sympathetic.
One said: “Unfortunately that’s what happens when you break the law.
“This is how Australia is protected against pests and disease. It’s simple, just tick yes.”
Other said Jessica should dispute the massive fine.
One said: “Babe I definitely think you could contest this… I’ve definitely travelled so many times with food for personal consumption on the plane.”
Another said: “Yet they let international visitors off with a warning on border security with bags of fish and nuts and seeds etc.”
Jessica replied: “They told me it was because there’s a language barrier between them but because I speak perfect English I can get the fine.”
HARSH PENALTIES
Australia has tough biosecurity laws to stop alien plants, animals and diseases getting in.
Travellers are required to tick boxes on forms if they are carrying food, which will be assessed by border staff.
They also have the option to dispose of food in special bins at the terminal before customs.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said: “Our biosecurity system works both at the border and here at home to prevent and respond to the arrival and spread of harmful pests and diseases.
“Those pests and diseases could disrupt our agricultural industries, our natural environment and our national economy.
“Food and ingredients that have not met our biosecurity standards (or cannot be shown to have met them) are common and high-risk pathways for these threats.”
Australia is not the only country with harsh penalties for travellers.
Last year 41 holidaymakers were fined up to £2,500 each for taking sand and shells from beaches in Sardinia.
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