New zealand customs fine - advice

NoodleDoodleMan

jimi_man said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

elsien said:

Ignorance isn't a defence. The NZ guidance is quite clear about that. 

I think other posters were suggesting that diminished responsibility may be grounds for an appeal ?

I don’t think anyone has suggested that at all unless some posts have been hidden/deleted? As far as I am aware even the OP has accepted it. The main issue is whether what effect it’s likely to have if they carry on not paying it. 

Indeed, diminshed responsibility is probably an exaggeration.

Okell

I'm one of those awkward people who think that non-UK nationals visiting the UK should pay up when they have lawful fines and other sanctions applied to them. 

I also think the same principle applies to UK nationals (including me) visiting other countries.

I don't see why the same principle shouldn't apply to the OP's parents.

Unless they have recourse to another level of appeal their legal rights would have been exhausted when their appeal was rejected

baser999

HillStreetBlues said:

jimi_man said:

Personally, at around £180 or so it’s chicken feed,

Others might say it's shallot of money.

If you have a coat, could I suggest you go get it 😏

baser999

Would they have got away with it had they been Swedes? 

unforeseen

baser999 said:

Would they have got away with it had they been Swedes? 

Swedes, onions? No difference really, both are veg. 

lon_85

Thanks for your input everyone - just to clarify why they had the onions in the first place - they were staying in an apartment in the previous city and had to clear it out before vacating it, hence they had leftover food items.

NoodleDoodleMan

Apologies for stating the obvious - why not ditch the offending onions in a rubbish bin or similar ?

la531983

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Apologies for stating the obvious - why not ditch the offending onions in a rubbish bin or similar ?

Because they didnt realise they were there until they got to Customs?
Also, airports are full of CCTV, they could have easily been spotted between the arrivals gate and the customs check on camera disposing of contraband, thats assuming there was even a bin to begin with, and also assuming they realised they were there, which they clearly didnt.

I dont think the OP came here asking for advice on how to deal with his parents who clearly are struggling with forgetfulness, it will no doubt happen to many of us when we get older.

marcia_

la531983 said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Apologies for stating the obvious - why not ditch the offending onions in a rubbish bin or similar ?

Because they didnt realise they were there until they got to Customs?
Also, airports are full of CCTV, they could have easily been spotted between the arrivals gate and the customs check on camera disposing of contraband, thats assuming there was even a bin to begin with, and also assuming they realised they were there, which they clearly didnt.

I dont think the OP came here asking for advice on how to deal with his parents who clearly are struggling with forgetfulness, it will no doubt happen to many of us when we get older.

 There are loads of signs and bins on the walk up to customs telling you to dispose of prohibited goods. 

la531983

marcia_ said:

la531983 said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Apologies for stating the obvious - why not ditch the offending onions in a rubbish bin or similar ?

Because they didnt realise they were there until they got to Customs?
Also, airports are full of CCTV, they could have easily been spotted between the arrivals gate and the customs check on camera disposing of contraband, thats assuming there was even a bin to begin with, and also assuming they realised they were there, which they clearly didnt.

I dont think the OP came here asking for advice on how to deal with his parents who clearly are struggling with forgetfulness, it will no doubt happen to many of us when we get older.

 There are loads of signs and bins on the walk up to customs telling you to dispose of prohibited goods. 

Fair enough, the very first line of my post still stands though.  I dont really see the point of raking over the coals of the ifs and the whys of the incident tbf.

I went through security at an airport once and forgot I still had a can of deodorant in my carry on, I had it disposed of, people forget things, amazingly it happens.