An Australian lawyer has revealed the simple mistake she made at customs that almost cost her over $2,000.
Migration lawyer Traci Chen, from Maison Chen Law Group, was grilled by a bio-security officer for over 30 minutes after flying from Dubai to Brisbane, item_8404713 after making an incorrect declaration on her incoming passenger form.
She disclosed she had saffron and honey, but did not realise she also needed to declare a straw beach hat and 'organic' makeup wipes.
The border officer offered Ms Chen 'one more chance' to disclose the items she should have declared or she would be slapped with a $2,664 fine.
She told Daily Mail Australia she was struggling to work out what the item must be before realising it must be the straw beach hat she had bought in Australia and taken with her to Dubai
'It was very stressful.
My mother told me her heart had been pounding,' she said.
People landing in Australia have to declare alcoholic drinks, tobacco products, animals, fresh food, plant material, seeds, soils, meat and animal products