A Belgian man was sent packing when border officials discovered he was trying to smuggle sausages into the country.

An attempt to smuggle sausages into the country has been thwarted by biosecurity staff.

A Belgian air passenger arrived at Auckland International Airport on Sunday with three sausages hidden in his backpack.

The offending items were picked up by the x-ray machine as he passed through biosecurity checks.

Ministry for Primary Industries north passenger manager Craig Hughes said the passenger was refused entry after he admitted to hiding the offending items on purpose.

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"They turned out to be pork and salami sausages, both of which could have carried diseases with the potential to cause major harm to New Zealand agriculture."

The sausage smuggler was returning to New Zealand on a work visa and said he was aware of the country's strict biosecurity rules.

Hughes said the ministry took a "hard line" on travellers who deliberately ignored the rules.

"It is loud and clear that every arriving passenger is required to declare or dispose items that could pose biosecurity risk to New Zealand."