New Zealand granny uses pension to pay US$1,995 fine for bringing chicken sandwich into Australia

A border patrol staff later advised Armstrong to appeal the fine, per NZH. But when she tried appealing the fine, she only received automatic replies, per the report.

She said Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry only commented on the incident some six months later, after NZH reached out on behalf of Armstrong, per the report.

Armstrong said she packed the sandwich in her bag before the flight and, while she declared her prescription medication to authorities, forgot about the sandwich, per the report.

Armstrong told NZH she struggled to pay the fine as she and her husband rely on their pensions.

“Everybody I show the fine to is dumbfounded, they just can’t believe it,” Armstrong added.

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A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry told Business Insider in a statement that Armstrong could have only brought the sandwich into the country if she had an import permit.

“Meat has strict import conditions which can change quickly based on disease outbreaks,” the spokesperson said, adding that passengers can be fined up to A$6,260 (US$4,100) for bringing unauthorised food items into the country.