I do not travel often internationally so this might just be my own lack of awareness, so apologies.

I flew into CVG from Paris with a few bottles of wine, well under the limit set for bringing wine in. Using Global Entry, I cleared and gave my slip to the CBP agent. He asked about the wine, I gave him a clear and direct answer. He said I was free to go and did NOT need to stop by agriculture for inspection.

Upon preparing to exit the CBP area and enter the area for TSA re-screening, a Redcoat stopped me. She asked if I was carrying alcohol. I informed her I had two bottles of wine in my suitcase. She blocked my exit, forcefully pointed to a side door and told me I needed to be screened by the agricultural agent. I stated I was confused since customs had cleared me. She told me if I did not comply she would call security.

I went over to the customs agent manning the agricultural screening area. He asked why I was there. I told him the whole story. He told me he was not going to screen me; that I was fine, and to exit. I tried to leave and the same redcoat stopped me. She accused me of trying to bypass security and it was only after the uniformed customs agent working the agricultural screening area flatly told her he was not going to search my bag since CBP had already cleared me that she let me go.

I was shocked and a bit shaken up. For what it’s worth, I did not see her direct any other passengers towards the agricultural screening.

I’m choosing to overlook any possible racial bias here (which we know unfortunately can happen with CBP, but this was a Delta redcoat).

Was this appropriate for her to do so? I’m sure some folks might say that we always have to comply with airline staff but it just seemed so out of the blue. But since I rarely fly international and have NEVER flown into CVG from international maybe this is normal?

I don’t know???