Sep 6, 2018, 11:23 am
Last edit by: seawolf
Global Entry kiosks typically ask a yes/no question about whether you are bringing "food" into the country. The question is broader than on the deprecated blue form that asked about fruits, vegetables, meats, etc.
CBP answers the question of whether you must declare all "food" on its website:
CBP expects declaration to be made even if not asked by kiosk or explicitly asked by CBP officer
Yes, all food items and products must be declared when entering the U.S.
You may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or country from which you are traveling.
General consensus is that the best practice is to declare any "food", include candies, cookies, snacks, etc. and then inform the CBP agent about your food. Experience has been that in nearly all cases the agent will wave you through with extremely minimal delay. As explained elsewhere, the primary focus of the question is to prevent importation of fruits, vegetable, and meats that could cause harm to the American food supply, but it is safest to allow the CBP agent to make the determination.
There is some debate as to whether items one can ingest for non-nutritive reasons (e.g., gum, toothpaste, medicine) should qualify as food. There does not appear to be an answer from CBP or experience showing the proper categorization of such items.
CBP answers the question of whether you must declare all "food" on its website:
CBP expects declaration to be made even if not asked by kiosk or explicitly asked by CBP officer
Link to TTP Interview guidance letter - Thanks hourglass
Must I declare food items or products when using the Global entry kiosk?
Yes, all food items and products must be declared when entering the U.S.You may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or country from which you are traveling.
There is some debate as to whether items one can ingest for non-nutritive reasons (e.g., gum, toothpaste, medicine) should qualify as food. There does not appear to be an answer from CBP or experience showing the proper categorization of such items.
Global Entry Kiosks Declarations and Food Questions
Aug 24, 2016, 6:15 am
#421
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DCA - PDX - LAX
Programs: AA Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, AS 75k
Posts: 766
I actually don't talk to anybody. I have read a few posts saying since the YYZ TB changes you talk to somebody. I get the ticket out of the GE machine and walk to the guy and hand it over and don't even stop. He's usually talking to the other guy (coworker) and just collecting cards. The GE machines still bypass all the other guys. If I am doing it wrong, nobody has chased me down yet.
Aug 24, 2016, 8:59 am
#422
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
I actually don't talk to anybody. I have read a few posts saying since the YYZ TB changes you talk to somebody. I get the ticket out of the GE machine and walk to the guy and hand it over and don't even stop. He's usually talking to the other guy (coworker) and just collecting cards. The GE machines still bypass all the other guys. If I am doing it wrong, nobody has chased me down yet.
It seems like you didn't have to stop at immigration desks (which is how it seems to work in the US), maybe that's a permanent improvement?
Aug 24, 2016, 8:38 pm
#423
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
Yes, when I had an X, there was a desk that all the Xs and Os went to (in the previous layout, and probably now). The regular photo cards you just waltz to the card collector who doesn't want to slow down the parade. I just make sure I hand the card facing toward him so he can read it and inform me if he wants to have a word because once I've passed by, he's going to have to tackle me over my shoulder if he wants anything, since I am not going to hear him saying "hey, you."
Aug 25, 2016, 1:08 pm
#424
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
I've said it before and I'll say it again. When it comes to food and US CBP especially for those enrolled in trusted traveler programs when in doubt DECLARE IT. In the worst case you may get sent to secondary where a grumpy officer hollers at you for wasting their time. If you don't declare it and you meet said grumpy officer you may end up being fined or even losing your trusted travel status.
Aug 25, 2016, 1:16 pm
#425
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
I've said it before and I'll say it again. When it comes to food and US CBP especially for those enrolled in trusted traveler programs when in doubt DECLARE IT. In the worst case you may get sent to secondary where a grumpy officer hollers at you for wasting their time. If you don't declare it and you meet said grumpy officer you may end up being fined or even losing your trusted travel status.
Aug 26, 2016, 12:55 pm
#426
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,552
I'm sticking with LtKernellPanic's advice... LAX has been pretty easy when declaring. Last trip, I had food (tea, candy) and had also gone over my $ limit. Still used the fast lanes.
"What food"? Tea and candy.
"What did you buy?" Personal jewelry and clothes.
"Have a nice day."
"What food"? Tea and candy.
"What did you buy?" Personal jewelry and clothes.
"Have a nice day."
Aug 29, 2016, 12:37 pm
#427
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: ORD
Posts: 73
I've always come home from the Netherlands with cheese and chocolate... I've used the GE kiosks and have answered "Yes" to the quasi-food question. Sure, the officer will ask, "What food are you bringing?" as I'm walking out, but a simple "cheese and choloates" is met with, "Have a great day." I'd rather be safe than under-declare, especially when my GE is involved.
Aug 29, 2016, 8:10 pm
#429
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Middle East visit, figs, and FRA transit: bag scan. Italy and truffles: bag scan. Tokyo and arare into Honolulu: Welcome home.
Aug 31, 2016, 11:22 am
#430
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
Sep 2, 2016, 4:59 pm
#431
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
This morning in Los Angeles, the Global Entry kiosk specifically queried about food in addition to fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds and insects. It's the first time that I recall seeing "food" itemized in that particular question. I had none with me, so there was no need to interact with a CBP officer.
Sep 2, 2016, 11:57 pm
#432
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DCA - PDX - LAX
Programs: AA Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, AS 75k
Posts: 766
As far as I know it has been like that for over 1 year. It could be longer but it is hidden among fruit etc so easy to miss.
This morning in Los Angeles, the Global Entry kiosk specifically queried about food in addition to fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds and insects. It's the first time that I recall seeing "food" itemized in that particular question. I had none with me, so there was no need to interact with a CBP officer.
Sep 3, 2016, 8:32 am
#434
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,681
It's just as well, really.
If an agent does grumble at me for declaring chocolates, I can honestly say the kiosk question specified 'food'.
It's easier than explaining to an agent who is wasting his/my time complaining that I am wasting his/my time by following the rules as explained to me by another agent. The couple times it has happened to me, the agent didn't like it when I said it was what I was told to do. It's easier to criticize what an anonymous faceless agent told me than to argue that I shouldn't answer the question on the kiosk honestly.
If an agent does grumble at me for declaring chocolates, I can honestly say the kiosk question specified 'food'.
It's easier than explaining to an agent who is wasting his/my time complaining that I am wasting his/my time by following the rules as explained to me by another agent. The couple times it has happened to me, the agent didn't like it when I said it was what I was told to do. It's easier to criticize what an anonymous faceless agent told me than to argue that I shouldn't answer the question on the kiosk honestly.
Sep 3, 2016, 1:41 pm
#435
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
My preference, of course, would be to revert to the old, more specific, wording.