In Reply to: Over Alcohol Allowance posted by melH on Wednesday, 10. September 2008 at 15:02 Bali Time:
as we usually go to bali for a month at a time we like to take a selection of our favourite spirits... onces we can't get in Bali. we always declare these bottles and are prepared to pay the duty.,.. I have travelled to Bali since 1982 and 20 trips later.... We had NEVER been asked to pay duty until our trip in Dec 2005 and wasn't that an interesting experience..... Customs officer said, who is boss, I replied I AM TODAY.... my hubby and kids cleared customs... I was taken off to a room that resembled a 'betting table at a casino', with AUSSIE dollars everywhere over all the tables and my fellow country men paying upto $70 duty per bottle.... I was told I had broken the law (Scare tactics) to which I replied "I have not, I have declared theses bottles and am prepared to pay tax so I have NOT broken the law' (not thinking that if my immigration card had gone missing that I would have no case and might have to spend my holiday at the local jail). Anyway the 'interogators' and had an agenda it was "JACK DANIELS and JIM BEAM" they were really disappointed that I was not thoughful enough to bring their favourite drop. After about 20 minutes I had negotiated from (Twice the retail AUD cost of the bottles of alcohol as tax) to a total of $20 for 3 or 4 bottles. I refused to play there game, and I was causing a comotion so that other aussies could hear that they should not be paying. The went and got the BOSS (a lady), at my request.... who could not solve my problem.... I asked for the BIG BOSS (a man)I agreed on paying $20, I asked for a receipt as this is a government department.... they don't have them... so I refused to pay.... they would not let me clear customs.... I had a $10 AUD in my pocket.... handed it to them and walked through.... I was prepared to pay tax on each bottle.... but legitimately.... with a receipt... as they were pocketing the money.... I only paid the $10 cause they were wasting my time in paradise.... Every trip since.... no problem.... so it depends who is on... and what spirits they want.... There were thousands of AUD handed over while I was in the room... Customs gladly pointed out that that person paid $70 and that person paid this amount.... trying to crack me..... so considering this.... you make the decision.... however I wonder what my fate would have been if they tore up my immigration card and said I did not declare the alcohol..... ummmm I fly saturday week and I will buy 1 bottle duty free....