Governments maintain formal lists of countries for these types of things. I think people would be surprised how many diverse countries are on the formal lists. A number of European countries have been on them for years.

I would like to be surprised. Can you share a list?

Australia's been doing this forever.

We have? My international relatives have never been searched to that degree, if at all.

That said, the whole thing is overreach in any democratic society.

I've binge watched enough Australian Border Patrol videos to know that:

1. You don't fuck around with Australian customs agents. Ever.

2. They make every other country look like complete lightweights, Americans and EU included. These guys will fine you AU $500 for half an eaten apple in your bag.

They may fine you for attempting to import a plant, but they won't imprison you in El Salvador for having liked a meme they don't like on US social media.

They're fined because they lied on their declaration forms. Our customs agents are generally pretty fair and reasonable, but they do take their jobs very seriously.

Tip for travelers to Australia/New Zealand: If you have something that is stated on the declaration form, just answer yes. Provided it's not some totally illegal substance, they'll inspect the items and if it's not allowed past the border it'll be seized without penalty. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe in some few cases, you can even pick it up on your return.

If it's something like large amounts of cash, goods, alcohol or cigarettes, you may have to pay a tax or import fee and answer a few questions. Just don't be a dimwit.

Yes, it's a basic function of any customs and quarantine organisation. Australian Border Force don't care if you have memes mocking our PM or DJT. Inspection of electronic devices only happens when there's evidence of a crime.

> These guys will fine you AU $500 for half an eaten apple in your bag.

That seems entirely appropriate, no? Produce crossing international borders like that can be a huge problem.

Read the stories about people who actually have this happen. You can usually figure out why they are targeted. That may not be just. But it is.

Customs agents are always given broad discretion and generally care about something.

Most normal folks will never intact with these issues. The last time I travelled internationally, they weren’t even doing secondary customs screening upon return to the US.

I've had a full shakedown at the airport in Brisbane asking for passwords for phone/laptop and they will confiscate for 2 weeks if you don't comply. I'm an Australian citizen. They also didn't let me call anyone so my wife was left waiting for 3 hours wondering where I was.