Originally Posted by
demiparisienne
I had my card revoked, paid a $500 fine and missed a flight on first violation--all done rather disrespectfully-- at Pearson just yesterday.
I fly about twice a month, so I'm in a pretty established groove. I'm used to flying out of Billy Bishop --Customs and Immigration are done when you land--like most other airports. So, I had a tangerine that I intended to eat at the airport. I knew that I couldn't enter the US with the fruit.
But at Pearson, you do C&I before you fly. I was just doing the regular at the kiosk and I forgot. When I handed my form to the agent, he asked if I had fruit and I remembered and answered truthfully. I told him I forgot. "i'm sorry. I forgot." I was sent into the office for a false declaration after very rude tone and harsh words from him.
I walked in. No agent paid attention. Others waiting had to tell me to just go grab an agent's attention. I clearly and politely explained my mix-up to the agent. She rolled her eyes, jerked me around for nearly an hour with a few other agents-- a whole lot of wait, call me back to the desk, wait some more, call me back. End result: revocation, $500 fine, missed flight.
Be very careful. No compassion or warnings at Pearson.
Not a lawyer but you may want to appeal both revocation and the fine under
19 USC §148.16.
§148.16 Amendment of declaration.
(a) Before examination. A passenger shall be permitted to add an article to his declaration if, before examination of his baggage has begun, the fact that the article has not been declared is brought to the attention of the examining officer by the passenger.
(b) After examination is begun. A passenger shall be permitted to add an article to his declaration after examination of his baggage has begun if, before any undeclared article is found, the passenger advises the examining officer that he has such an article and the officer is satisfied that there was no fraudulent intent. Under no circumstances shall a passenger be permitted to add any undeclared article to his declaration after such article has been discovered by the examining officer.
From your description, it sounds like you orally amended your declaration before they began examination of baggage.