Daijiworld Media Network – Kochi
Kochi, Sept 8: South Indian actress Navya Nair, best known to Kannada audiences for her role in the blockbuster ‘Gaja’, has landed in hot water at the Melbourne International Airport, where she was slapped with a hefty fine of AUD 1,980 (Australian $1,980 (approximately Rs 1.14 lac) for carrying jasmine flowers into Australia — without declaring them.
The incident took place during her recent visit to Victoria, where she was attending Onam celebrations hosted by a Malayali association. In a light-hearted video that has since gone viral on social media, Navya is seen wearing a garland of jasmine flowers woven into her elegantly dressed hair, a traditional South Indian adornment.
The actress light-heartedly remarked, “I wore flowers worth over a lac for the event!”, referring to the fine. She explained that prior to her departure from India, her father had gifted her a 15-centimetre-long jasmine garland, which she took along for sentimental reasons. Unaware of Australia’s strict biosecurity regulations, she did not declare the flowers on the mandatory customs form.
Australia is known for its zero-tolerance biosecurity laws, which are enforced to protect its unique native flora and fauna from foreign biological threats. The country prohibits the import of certain plant and animal materials — including fresh flowers — unless they are declared and cleared through inspection.
Navya admitted her ignorance of the rules, stating she had no knowledge of the requirement to declare the floral item. Unfortunately, failure to declare such items is treated as a serious offence under Australian law.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, any undeclared biological material — be it plants, seeds, or food — can pose a potential threat to Australia’s fragile ecosystem, and must be reported upon arrival. Violations may lead to fines, confiscation, or prosecution.
The fine of AUD 1,980 must be paid within 28 days.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for international travellers: even a fragrant garland of jasmine can come at a steep price if not declared. Australia’s biosecurity system leaves little room for error — no matter how sweet the scent.