Originally Posted by catocony

Yes, and I've heard about people getting speeding tickets for driving 6 miles over the speed limit too. Personally I wouldn't bring half a sandwich off the plane with me, but if so and even if it was found, you're not going to get fined for something like that since you're very clearly not trying to smuggle something. You left a sandwich in your bag, or an apple, or whatever you planned to eat on the plane and didn't. That happens countless times each day, and I doubt that any of those people get fined and probably a very, very small percent of them are even singled out.

Originally Posted by SFOSpiff

I could not disagree more. If you check "no" to the "food" box on your form, and you have food, you have just lied to a federal agency. Just declare the stuff, period. It'll cost you 5 extra seconds to explain what you have and be cleared to go on your way.

Originally Posted by Majuki

^

This was like before the GE kiosks changed the food question to be less ambiguous. I remember right after I entered the program the questions were similar if not identical to the blue customs form. It just asked if you were bringing in any food and would 'X' you if you selected yes. Now, the question is a lot more specific. (I assume this is in response to feedback from GE members.) Due to this, I would never even bring back a candy bar to avoid being delayed with an X receipt.

However, you have nothing to lose except the food by declaring food items even if they can't enter the country you are visiting. Yes, people do forget that apple or orange they placed in their carryon from lunch before their flight left, and it's no big deal if the beagle catches you - most of the time. However, technically you have made a false statement. Knowingly or unknowingly is the key, but I have witnessed people being hassled and fined in Australia for bringing in legal snacks and food that simply were not declared.

Originally Posted by William S

In Australia there is an AUD 220 fine even if the food is allowed. And they will catch you since all bags are screened.

Originally Posted by flyinbob

Australia is insane about it. I flew on UA to MEL, stopping in SYD to change planes, but not through customs. I bought a candy bar in SYD, got on the short flight to MEL, and in MEL went through customs. They got all pissy about the candy being "brought into the country", until I showed them the receipt that I bought it in SYD. Even then they tried lecturing about their "rules".

Originally Posted by rsh913

In general I always declare yes. The penalty is about 400$. Attached below is a list of food items allowed / not allowed fyi.

Food and Agricultural Products
Declare all agricultural products when entering the U.S.
A. Food Products which can be taken into the U.S.
Stroopwafels and other kinds of baked goods, such as breads, cookies, cakes and bakery items
Oliebollen
Hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles)
Drop (licorice)
Pindakaas (Dutch peanut butter)
Cheese (only vacuum packed and pasteurized, no cheeses made of raw milk). Most Dutch cheeses like Gouda, Edam and Leerdam are allowed
Coffee
Powdered baby formula
Gluten-free food
Fish
Sweets and chocolate

B. Food Products which cannot be taken into the U.S.
Meat and meat products (also products containing meat, such as soups)
Fresh fruits or vegetables
Absinth
Sweets filled with alcohol

C. Alcoholic Beverages
Nonresidents who are at least 21 years old may bring in, free of duty and internal revenue tax, up to one liter of alcoholic beverage - beer, jenever, Beerenburg, kruidenlikeur, advocaat, wine, liquor - for personal use. Quantities above the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and internal revenue tax.

In addition to U.S. federal laws, the traveler must also meet state alcoholic beverage laws which may be more restrictive. If the state in which you arrive permits less liquor than you have legally brought into the United States, that State's laws apply to your importation of alcoholic beverages.

The shipment of alcoholic beverages by mail is prohibited by United States postal laws.

D. Tobacco
You are permitted to bring 100 cigars or 200 cigarettes (one carton) into the U.S. duty free. Cuban cigars are prohibited.

E. Bulbs (bloembollen)
Bringing bulbs to the U.S.? Look for an official white sticker on the package that says:

"To the Plant Protection Service of the United States and Canada"
The botanical name
The date of issuance of the sticker

If the sticker is not there, the bulbs will be seized.

Originally Posted by tev9999

TSA and Customs/Border Protection are entirely different personnel. CBP are well educated, trained, law enforcement officers complete with guns and arrest powers. They will understand what is/is-not admissible, but you can still run into the occasional power-tripping jerk.

Originally Posted by chgoeditor

I think you're saying that the Global Entry kiosks have reworded the food question to avoid X'ing people who are simply bringing in candy bars, etc. If so, that's great news. I almost always buy candy overseas, but have also made the boneheaded mistake of carrying Costco-purchased turkey jerky (good travel snack) with me overseas, never eating it (or even opening the bag), then having to declare it when returning to the US...big fat GE X got me sent to the head of the line, and to the ag inspection station. My vow for future travel: Eat all jerky before flying home!

Originally Posted by InkUnderNails

Call me paranoid, but I buy nothing when I am out of the country that is not either consumed or declared.

Originally Posted by karenkay

fwiw, i'm constantly buying candy, gum and cookies in other countries as a souvenir. i have global entry, and was checking 'yes' to food and getting the X every time, until one agent said to me 'cookies and chocolates aren't food, you don't have to check yes.'

ymmv, but that is what the guy told me. i'm very careful not to purchase anything that might be suspect--fruits, meats, cheeses, etc.--but i figure the agent told me i don't have to check 'yes' for my candy bar, so i don't.

Originally Posted by Princess1

Per the regs posted in #18, I violate a few rules! I regularly bring back food and drink from wherever I am traveling, to give Mr. P1 a taste. Cheeses and sausage is always a big hit, and goes well with the local brews I carry home. I also have brought home mounds of chocolates filled with alcohol, so another mark against me. Can't say I have ever checked the little box.


Thanks for reminding me of the yummy stroopwafels! I live the chocolate covered ones!

Originally Posted by karenkay

fwiw, i'm constantly buying candy, gum and cookies in other countries as a souvenir. i have global entry, and was checking 'yes' to food and getting the X every time, until one agent said to me 'cookies and chocolates aren't food, you don't have to check yes.'

ymmv, but that is what the guy told me. i'm very careful not to purchase anything that might be suspect--fruits, meats, cheeses, etc.--but i figure the agent told me i don't have to check 'yes' for my candy bar, so i don't.

Originally Posted by Rommie2k6

Ok it seems that the CBP check aren't all that ridiculous based on the various posts here. I'm just trying to avoid a situation where one declare a legally allowed foodstuff (e.g. biscuits) and gets delayed for one hour because some overzealous and brainless TSA person decides to dig out all your stuff and you are left having to spend another hour trying to squeeze everything back in.

I've seen shows on the crazy overzealous TSA-equivalents in Australia. Some of those jerks even cut apart your luggage to check for stuff, and I'm pretty sure they don't compensate you for the damages.