Originally Posted by
Section 107
A passenger might be randomly selected for Customs inspection, but a customs inspection is not conducted in any random manner. There are two parts - the declaration and the inspection. CBP will not just arbitrarily inspect a bag. A pax will first be asked several times to make a declaration (which might be written but officers have wide discretion to allow only verbal declarations). Only after asking several times, even explaining what is permitted and what is not, will CBP begin to physically inspect the pax and the bags. Once inspection physically begins no further declarations are permitted to be accepted, even if prior to discovery of undeclared items.
So, in the scenario presented above, if the pax was dismissed by the first officer but selected for search by a second set of officers at the exit, the pax would still be presented multiple opportunities to declare any items irregardless [sic] of any verbal declaration made to the first officer that interrupted the declaration and dismissed the pax.
You are right that the officers at the exit would not know what conversation the pax had with the first officer except for a) what the pax informs them was said and b) what the first officer informs them was said. But "he said - she said" thing will not happen because of how the process actually works (described in first paragraph).
What to do in such a situation? As the other posters indicated, the most scrupulous pax will insist on completing the declaration with the first officer or notifying the next officer encountered with, "Sir/ma'am, the other officer did not allow me to make a complete declaration, what should I do?" But I think one can be forgiven for not wanting to prolong any interaction with law enforcement and purposefully engaging further. Especially since one can still make a formal declaration before additional inspection.
Agree with all of this, and tells me I wouldn't worry in this scenario. You can honestly say that you already sought to declare the items above the allowance and you're doing so again. I seriously doubt it will get to the point where you have to ask them to get the original agent to confirm your story.
FWIW, the GE app does allow you to declare various things (could do food and over allowance), though not everything - for example, liquor over the allowance - so that's another way to make sure you're being complete.
Originally Posted by
cheltzel
The CBP (as well as several other law enforcement agencies) have some extremely well-trained K-9s that detect all sorts of things (currency, various agricultural products, etc). It is your responsibility, as a trusted traveler, to declare everything. Remember this is truly a zero-tolerance program.
Are they able to detect items over $800/person?