Shock twist after woman’s $2664 Subway fine at airport

A woman who copped a hefty fine for failing to declare her Subway sandwich at the airport has been left stunned over the fast-food chain’s shock act.

An Australian woman has been left gobsmacked at Subway’s act following a $2664 fine she copped for failing to declare her fast food at the airport.

Jessica Lee purchased a foot-long sandwich at Singapore Airport, eating half there and saving the other half for later.

She didn’t think she needed to fill out the declaration form for the meal. However, when she hit Aussie shores she was slapped with a hefty fine for not ticking two specific ingredients.

“I thought the little declaration thing you do is for your carry-ons and your luggage, so I didn’t tick chicken and I didn’t tick lettuce. Chicken and lettuce!” she demanded in a TikTok.

Her video has since gone viral, amassing 1.1 million views in three weeks.

Jessica Lee copped a $2664 fine for failing to declare her Subway sandwich. Picture: TikTok/_jessicaleeee

She said it was her mistake, adding she thought the declaration form applied only to carry-on and checked-in luggage. Picture: TikTok/_jessicaleeee

However, in a shock turn of events, Jessica revealed how Subway sent her a gift box which included a voucher for $2664 worth of food.

“@subwayaustralia ARE YOU KIDDING? Basically free subs for a year,” she captioned the post.

A stunned Jessica recorded herself opening the white box and reading out loud the card Subway had sent her.

“To say thank you for eating fresh we’ve uploaded a Sub card with $2664 just for you. We hope this covers all your chicken and lettuce needed. Love from your Subway fans.”

To her surprise, Subway sent her a voucher for $2664 worth of food following the fine. Picture: TikTok/_jessicaleeee

She said the ‘fine was worth every cent’ following Subway’s kind act. Picture: TikTok/_jessicaleeee

“Shut up,” she giggled while showing off the merchandise she also received.

“Subway you have outdone yourself and this fine is worth every cent. You can best guess what I am getting for lunch and dinner today.”

It comes after Jessica uploaded a reaction video to the news.com.au story with Domino’s Australia tagging Subway asking them to “pls make this right”.

“We are working some magic,” they responded.

And that they did, with Jessica pretty stoked with her gift, despite still having to pay the expensive fine.

In her original TikTok, Jessica admitted it was her “mistake” – but genuinely didn’t think she needed to declare the fast food.

She said the fast-food chain had outdone itself. Picture: TikTok/_jessicaleeee

She also got a bunch of merchandise. Picture: TikTok/_jessicaleeee

“I ate six inches before my second flight and then saved the other six inches for the flight which they’re more than happy with,” she said.

Jessica didn’t end up eating the rest of her sandwich and didn’t think the declaration form applied to pre-purchased food that wasn’t in her luggage.

She held up a form pointing at the hefty fine she copped.

In the comments section a TikTok user said international travellers are sometimes let off with a warning.

Jessica responded saying she was told by staff it’s due to a language barrier.

“But because I speak perfect English I can get the fine,” she said.

A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson told news.com.au infringements up to $2664 can be issued for breaches of the Biosecurity Act by travellers who fail to declare or make false declarations.

“All meat products and vegetables must be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card. This is a legal declaration,” the departmental spokesperson said.

“All airlines play mandatory biosecurity messaging (video/audio) in flight at top of descent (i.e. just prior to landing – not mid-flight when passengers might be sleeping) highlighting things of biosecurity risk, and the need to declare food and ingredients, and to leave all food on-board.”

The spokesperson said the arrivals area of airports have similar messaging (electronic, posters) reinforcing the message to declare or to dispose of food in biosecurity bins.