Originally Posted by
Finkface
I remembered reading this on milepoint:
I recently had a discussion with a customs officer regarding the way the question was asked on the blue customs declaration card and at the kiosk. His reply was "if you can put it in your mouth it is food" and should be answered yes at the GE kiosks ". and yet, other officers have said otherwise. It would be nice to get a correct answer.
This is from the globalentry.gov/faq website. It makes it pretty clear; you must declare ALL agricultural products. It gives a link to the USDA (
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/) that doesn't work for me:
Q: Must I declare food items or products when using the Global Entry kiosk?
A: Yes. You must declare all agricultural products that you bring into the U.S. Failure to declare agricultural products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties. For additional information, click here.
You've demonstrated the confusion. I don't think most people (including some CBP agents) consider chocolate, cookies or chewing gum to be 'agricultural products'. However, other agents use the 'anything that goes in your mouth' standard.
Absent specific clarification (update all references on the website), I will continue to err on the side of caution. YMMV.