Qantas is trialling a new digital declaration system that could replace the physical cards travelers currently must complete before entering Australia.
The Incoming Passenger Card has long been the form that foreign visitors and returning residents must complete before entering the country.
The CPI is used to declare goods such as food, currency, alcohol and gifts valued at more than $900AUD.
However, the physical paper card could soon be a thing of the past as Qantas, together with the Australian Border Force, trial a digital alternative called the Australian Travel Declaration.
The pilot program will begin on Qantas flights between New Zealand and Australia.
‘Eligible adult passengers’ on selected flights will provide their details via the Qantas app before receiving a QR code which they will show to Border Force officers.
While paper cards are typically handed out during the flight to Australia, travelers will be able to complete the digital declaration up to 72 hours before arriving.
The Australian Border Force said digitizing the declaration process would create a more efficient and easier experience for travelers.
People landing in Australia must declare alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, animals, fresh food, plant material, seeds, soil, meat and animal products.
Incoming passenger declaration cards could soon be a thing of the past as the Australian Border Force, together with Qantas, trial a digital system.
“Digitizing the incoming passenger card presents opportunities to streamline processes, improve data quality and deliver a seamless experience to users,” the Australian Border Force said in a statement.
“Piloting the Australian Travel Statement will allow us to gain valuable feedback from passengers that will help us refine the product and inform future expansions.”
The ABF added that Qantas was selected as the first airline partner for the programme, but explained that the trial will “expand to other airlines” after the trial.
The initiative is the first for the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group, which followed commitments by the Prime Minister of Australia and the Prime Minister of New Zealand to facilitate travel between the countries.
ABF commissioner Michael Outram said the initiative showed the “power” of a joined-up approach to modernizing and improving the traveler experience.
Outram added that feedback from travelers during the trial will help refine the process for further expansion.
‘Eligible adult passengers’ on Qantas flights between Australia and New Zealand will be asked to complete a digital declaration via the airline’s app.
“A successful Australian Travel Declaration will be a key foundation for the future of streamlined, contactless travel,” Mr Outram said.
‘We are excited about the possibilities this pilot program can open up for the future traveler experience, both within and beyond Australia, and as we prepare to welcome the world when Brisbane hosts the Olympic Games in 2032.
Travel and Tourism Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said it was time to digitize the process and get rid of paper cards.
‘Finally, passengers landing in Australia will no longer have to fill out a paper arrival card with a pen! “Paper cards are a relic of the past and we can do much better in the digital age,” Osmond said in a statement.
“These reforms will improve the airport experience for travelers when they arrive, while prioritizing border security, through a more modern and efficient process, which we have long been advocating for.”
“We are delighted that the pilot program will eventually be extended to other airlines as the program progresses.”