Will I be denied GE because of Kinder Eggs?
May 6, 2015, 2:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 45
Will I be denied GE because of Kinder Eggs?
I'm starting to travel a lot more for work and would like to get global entry. I had an incident a couple years ago when I tried to bring some kinder eggs for my kids. Ignorantly, I didn't know these were banned!
Customs agent took my info and I'm sure made a not on my file. Should I even bother applying for GE or will I get denied because of this?
Customs agent took my info and I'm sure made a not on my file. Should I even bother applying for GE or will I get denied because of this?
May 6, 2015, 4:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Somewhere In The Five Eyes
Posts: 228
Perhaps. Perhaps, not.
Understand that you are seeking to join a "trusted" traveler, after having done something that "trusted" travelers will be EXPECTED to know.
My GUESS is that you'll be approved, after enduring a more lengthy & blunt lecture re: the matter above.
If you screw-up again; you can kiss GE:Nexus:Sentri goodbye. Are you ready to learn, know and follow the rules without exception?
Understand that you are seeking to join a "trusted" traveler, after having done something that "trusted" travelers will be EXPECTED to know.
My GUESS is that you'll be approved, after enduring a more lengthy & blunt lecture re: the matter above.
If you screw-up again; you can kiss GE:Nexus:Sentri goodbye. Are you ready to learn, know and follow the rules without exception?
May 6, 2015, 4:46 pm
#3
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There is no set answer. First, it's possible that the CBP Officer did not actually input anything and just tossed the stuff. Second, it's possible that it's in the file and that you will need to deal with it.
Dealing with it means making the case that you were 100% wrong, learned your lesson, have studied up on the rules and would never, ever even consider trying to enter the country without have first researched and then declared it.
qqZL.... is correct. CBP takes this stuff seriously and Agriculture violations are treated more harshly for GE than the average guy.
Is it worth spending $100 to find out? That's a question nobody here can answer.
Dealing with it means making the case that you were 100% wrong, learned your lesson, have studied up on the rules and would never, ever even consider trying to enter the country without have first researched and then declared it.
qqZL.... is correct. CBP takes this stuff seriously and Agriculture violations are treated more harshly for GE than the average guy.
Is it worth spending $100 to find out? That's a question nobody here can answer.
May 8, 2015, 11:24 am
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
There is no set answer. First, it's possible that the CBP Officer did not actually input anything and just tossed the stuff. Second, it's possible that it's in the file and that you will need to deal with it.
Dealing with it means making the case that you were 100% wrong, learned your lesson, have studied up on the rules and would never, ever even consider trying to enter the country without have first researched and then declared it.
qqZL.... is correct. CBP takes this stuff seriously and Agriculture violations are treated more harshly for GE than the average guy.
Is it worth spending $100 to find out? That's a question nobody here can answer.
Dealing with it means making the case that you were 100% wrong, learned your lesson, have studied up on the rules and would never, ever even consider trying to enter the country without have first researched and then declared it.
qqZL.... is correct. CBP takes this stuff seriously and Agriculture violations are treated more harshly for GE than the average guy.
Is it worth spending $100 to find out? That's a question nobody here can answer.
Last edited by Ari; May 14, 2015 at 6:00 pm
May 8, 2015, 11:28 am
#5
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OP, did you declare the candy and then have it confiscated? Or did you not declare the candy, it was found during a search, and it was confiscated?
If it was the former, then I don't think you have a problem. There's absolutely nothing wrong if you declare something and it gets confiscated - even for a GE pax. The problems come up when you do NOT declare something - even if it is something that is permitted.
I think KinderEggs are in a somewhat special category - they are not the sort of thing that a traveller could reasonably be expected to know are contraband (and AFAIK, the US is the only country in the world to prohibit them).
If it was the former, then I don't think you have a problem. There's absolutely nothing wrong if you declare something and it gets confiscated - even for a GE pax. The problems come up when you do NOT declare something - even if it is something that is permitted.
I think KinderEggs are in a somewhat special category - they are not the sort of thing that a traveller could reasonably be expected to know are contraband (and AFAIK, the US is the only country in the world to prohibit them).
May 8, 2015, 9:47 pm
#6
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Have you taken any intl. trips since the KE issue? Were you subjected to extra screening? If yes, there is a likelihood that a notation was made. If you were not, probably NO notation.
As others have noted, assuming NO other issues, you'd probably get GE.
As others have noted, assuming NO other issues, you'd probably get GE.
May 9, 2015, 11:07 pm
#7
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But still, won't they be covered under "food" on which you could've declared "yes"? Then you're covered in any case.
May 10, 2015, 10:41 am
#8
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I'm starting to travel a lot more for work and would like to get global entry. I had an incident a couple years ago when I tried to bring some kinder eggs for my kids. Ignorantly, I didn't know these were banned!
Customs agent took my info and I'm sure made a not on my file. Should I even bother applying for GE or will I get denied because of this?
Customs agent took my info and I'm sure made a not on my file. Should I even bother applying for GE or will I get denied because of this?
Having done that, I'd bet good $$ that you get approved. Or, that if you don't, it won't be because of that incident if you're 100% truthful in your application abut what happened.
"Coverup is worse than the crime" never more applicable than in this context.
Good luck! Go for it!
Last edited by JonNYC; May 10, 2015 at 10:46 am
May 12, 2015, 1:03 pm
#10
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May 12, 2015, 1:18 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
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I thought it was a bit bizarre when, years ago, I saw liqueur chocolates in the rogues gallery at the Milwaukee US Customs Office. That may have been a legacy of prohibition though it was rumoured that Godiva couldn't risk the competition. The uninitiated might have thought that chocolate (OK) plus liquor (OK if declared) would be OK.
Anyway, to get back on topic, the main thing for GE is to confess.
May 13, 2015, 3:35 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
Fascinating. It seems like a sensible ban except that, according to an article in the Independent, there have been very few choking accidents compared to, say, hot dogs.
I thought it was a bit bizarre when, years ago, I saw liqueur chocolates in the rogues gallery at the Milwaukee US Customs Office. That may have been a legacy of prohibition though it was rumoured that Godiva couldn't risk the competition. The uninitiated might have thought that chocolate (OK) plus liquor (OK if declared) would be OK.
Anyway, to get back on topic, the main thing for GE is to confess.
I thought it was a bit bizarre when, years ago, I saw liqueur chocolates in the rogues gallery at the Milwaukee US Customs Office. That may have been a legacy of prohibition though it was rumoured that Godiva couldn't risk the competition. The uninitiated might have thought that chocolate (OK) plus liquor (OK if declared) would be OK.
Anyway, to get back on topic, the main thing for GE is to confess.
And no, if you've ever seen a Kinder Egg they're very safe in design.
May 13, 2015, 11:17 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 45
Thanks everyone. I'll take a chance and apply for Global Entry... I'll let you know how it goes! Darn Kinder Eggs. I bought them before getting to the airport in YYZ because I loved them when I was a kid. I actually did declare them at customs ("Nothing to declare except these awesome Kinder eggs!" How naive of me!) and got taken aside!!!
May 14, 2015, 3:43 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
Thanks everyone. I'll take a chance and apply for Global Entry... I'll let you know how it goes! Darn Kinder Eggs. I bought them before getting to the airport in YYZ because I loved them when I was a kid. I actually did declare them at customs ("Nothing to declare except these awesome Kinder eggs!" How naive of me!) and got taken aside!!!
There are many other, FAR less safe toys and foods brought in constantly they don't care about. Safety is clearly not actually the reason behind this, and it is likely there is some underlying motive we don't know about (competition?)