Originally Posted by
BigFlyer
The way the US handles this is crazy. Anyone with an EU passport can use the automated border gates in a number of EU countries (UK and NL come to mind immediately, but there are more) and not talk to any customs or immigration official. In the US, you go through a vetting process and interview for Global Entry which gets you access which is still more bureaucratic than what every EU citizen gets at the automated gates (the EU gates also do not require fingerprints or that you answer any questions.)
As far as I understand, the bigger issue with Global Entry (why they're strict) isn't immigration issues but rather customs issues.
Do other countries not have a fear of citizens breaking customs laws (importing without declaring, importing illegal stuff, etc.)? I'm not asking sarcastically - trying to understand how other countries (such as EU, Australia, etc.) deal with it.
Alternatively, am I completely not understanding this correctly? I only assume because GE also gets expedited customs clearance which others don't get, and MPC also makes bordern clearance quick (though admittedly, you do see someone, though quicker than with APC AFAIK)