Declaring Alcohol over the Duty Free Limit - Global Entry
#16
Join Date: Jul 2009
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#17
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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If the X is because you are above the duty-free limits, wouldn't it make sense to deal with customs? If the X is because your fingerprints didn't scan or there was some sort of passport issue (or random check), then going to passport control would make sense.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
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Might there be two different messages, one for passport "failure", one for customs "failure"?
If the X is because you are above the duty-free limits, wouldn't it make sense to deal with customs? If the X is because your fingerprints didn't scan or there was some sort of passport issue (or random check), then going to passport control would make sense.
If the X is because you are above the duty-free limits, wouldn't it make sense to deal with customs? If the X is because your fingerprints didn't scan or there was some sort of passport issue (or random check), then going to passport control would make sense.
Declared items can be 'cleared' by any CBP officer who has the requisite knowledge; duty (below a certain amount) on declared items can be waived by any CBP officer taking a declaration. Why burden the officer at the exit-- and there is sometimes a long line at the exit-- with something like this that can quickly be resolved at primary? Non-GE passengers making mundane declarations in which CBP has little interest are sometimes dealt with at primary.
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I've developed habit of holding my passport open to the picture page, with the kiosk receipt visible and not covering the picture. As I approach either the Immigration or Customs folks I will make eye contact and make sure they hear me state "Global Entry". Often their body reaction will indicate whether they are waving me on, or would like me to stop.
If in doubt, I will stop. Obviously for Customs they need to grab the receipt.
If in doubt, I will stop. Obviously for Customs they need to grab the receipt.
#20
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
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That's indeed the way to go. If it's between the liter allowed and the 3.8 liters / gallon or 4 liters they will often let the duty pass.
Just did this a couple of months ago coming back from Australia with 2 cases of wine. On the GE kiosk, there is no specific question about liquor; however, I was told to answer Yes to the question that asks if I am bringing back more goods than allowed by my exemption.
I got the receipt with the X, went to the CBP agent as the next in line, declared my wine. He stamped my receipt and off I went. No problems.
I got the receipt with the X, went to the CBP agent as the next in line, declared my wine. He stamped my receipt and off I went. No problems.
#21
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,837
Just did this a couple of months ago coming back from Australia with 2 cases of wine. On the GE kiosk, there is no specific question about liquor; however, I was told to answer Yes to the question that asks if I am bringing back more goods than allowed by my exemption.
I got the receipt with the X, went to the CBP agent as the next in line, declared my wine. He stamped my receipt and off I went. No problems.
I got the receipt with the X, went to the CBP agent as the next in line, declared my wine. He stamped my receipt and off I went. No problems.
At least at DTW, they had a sign saying if you had no X you could walk past the immigration booth; if you had an X you had to stop and talk to the guy. IIRC, ATL has a similar sign.
I told the immigration officer that I got the X because I had to declare excess alcohol. He asked how much, said he wasn't going to bother with duty, stamped my receipt, and welcomed me home.
After getting my bags, I passed through customs. He also asked about the X, I explained why, and he waved me through. I was never sent to ag, presumably because I got the X for answering "Yes" to the duty free limits question and not for a random secondary.
I told the immigration officer that I got the X because I had to declare excess alcohol. He asked how much, said he wasn't going to bother with duty, stamped my receipt, and welcomed me home.
After getting my bags, I passed through customs. He also asked about the X, I explained why, and he waved me through. I was never sent to ag, presumably because I got the X for answering "Yes" to the duty free limits question and not for a random secondary.
That's why I don't get why the land border people aren't nicer to NEXUS holders.
#22
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
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This is a much needed improvement. A few years back, I received an X at ORD coming back from FRA and when I went to the CBP officer, he asked me why I got the X. He asked me if I answered yes to the currency question, food question, etc. I told him there was some sort of message when I did the fingerprint scan but by the time I noticed it, the next screen came up. He stamped my receipt so, back then, they had no way of telling why you got the X.
#23
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,531
Sorry if I am dense
I have 1L of alcohol
I have two boxes of store-bought shortbread (sealed)
and I have a cheap set of whisky glasses.
I am global entry. As I recall, the questions asked are slightly different on the GE screen than on the paper form. In this case, I don't have goods that exceed the duty, so I answer no to the question about declaration and shouldn't in theory get an X, correct?
I have two boxes of store-bought shortbread (sealed)
and I have a cheap set of whisky glasses.
I am global entry. As I recall, the questions asked are slightly different on the GE screen than on the paper form. In this case, I don't have goods that exceed the duty, so I answer no to the question about declaration and shouldn't in theory get an X, correct?
#24
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
I have 1L of alcohol
I have two boxes of store-bought shortbread (sealed)
and I have a cheap set of whisky glasses.
I am global entry. As I recall, the questions asked are slightly different on the GE screen than on the paper form. In this case, I don't have goods that exceed the duty, so I answer no to the question about declaration and shouldn't in theory get an X, correct?
I have two boxes of store-bought shortbread (sealed)
and I have a cheap set of whisky glasses.
I am global entry. As I recall, the questions asked are slightly different on the GE screen than on the paper form. In this case, I don't have goods that exceed the duty, so I answer no to the question about declaration and shouldn't in theory get an X, correct?
#25
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,531
thanks. As postscript, the questions are indeed more specific on the kiosk and for etoh, it's about exceeding the allowed, so no problems. I did find another helpful answer in the thread, "Global Entry, is it worth it?" Post #809. This is definitely a time saver.
#27
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Platnium, TK Elite Plus
Posts: 134
Because some CPB officials don't care as long as you have small amounts. Fro example, I went to Italy last summer and I brought back 8 or 10 bottles of wine, It was over the limit so I declared it and the CBP official didn't make me pay any extra but thanked me for doing the right thing and listing it.
#28
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Because some CPB officials don't care as long as you have small amounts. Fro example, I went to Italy last summer and I brought back 8 or 10 bottles of wine, It was over the limit so I declared it and the CBP official didn't make me pay any extra but thanked me for doing the right thing and listing it.
I have always declared items over the limit, and have yet (fingers crossed) been asked to pay duty. Maybe if I had several cases it would be different, but being a few bottles over, the agents don't seem to want to bother with collecting.
#29
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Platnium, TK Elite Plus
Posts: 134
This. It's probably also enough of a hassle that they don't want to waste the time for the amount of duty to be collected. I think the typical duty + excise tax on the excess would come to less than $10 for even several bottles over the allowance, and writing up and accepting payment would be a pain for what they get.
I have always declared items over the limit, and have yet (fingers crossed) been asked to pay duty. Maybe if I had several cases it would be different, but being a few bottles over, the agents don't seem to want to bother with collecting.
I have always declared items over the limit, and have yet (fingers crossed) been asked to pay duty. Maybe if I had several cases it would be different, but being a few bottles over, the agents don't seem to want to bother with collecting.
#30
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This. It's probably also enough of a hassle that they don't want to waste the time for the amount of duty to be collected. I think the typical duty + excise tax on the excess would come to less than $10 for even several bottles over the allowance, and writing up and accepting payment would be a pain for what they get.
I have always declared items over the limit, and have yet (fingers crossed) been asked to pay duty. Maybe if I had several cases it would be different, but being a few bottles over, the agents don't seem to want to bother with collecting.
I have always declared items over the limit, and have yet (fingers crossed) been asked to pay duty. Maybe if I had several cases it would be different, but being a few bottles over, the agents don't seem to want to bother with collecting.
Yes. CBP is primarily concerned with collecting duty on large quantities of items that might be intended for commercial use or resale inside the USA, or extremely high-value goods (Rolex watches, some high-end electronics, etc) that would have yielded some healthy taxes if bought locally inside the USA.
It also is worth noting that CBP is required to enforce not only federal laws, but also state ABC (alcohol beverage control) laws at the location of the port of entry. If the state law is more restrictive than the corresponding federal law (such as how much alcohol you can transport into a certain state), then the state law takes precedence. You might have to forfeit large quantities of alcohol, depending on which port of entry you use. Some states prohibit any importation of alcohol because they are beverage-control states. Or, the officers could decide that it is too much to be considered "personal use" and require you to obtain an import license through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) before releasing the alcohol to you.
More details here: CBP.gov