Originally Posted by
freeagent
I get that you are still declaring items through GE or kiosks, but not having been up to an immigration booth for years, it sounds like it is now up to the immigration officer to record the items you’re declaring. It’s welcome to see CBP focus their efforts on targeting items which are possibly disruptive or harmful to the population.
It may have been determined it was more efficient simply to ask and make an assessment based on the oral answer than trying to read the scribbles on a form, and then following-up. Law enforcement often assesses the demeanor of a person giving an oral answer to determine whether follow-up is worthwhile.