Originally Posted by
Taker Park
Once USCS, INS and USDA got thrown together into CBP, there was a barely believable recognition that the non-USDA inspectors wouldn't be able to stand in for the legacy USDA inspectors because of the extensive knowledge required.
More than likely, everyone's been told to refer everyone who has checked "yes" and the actual "USDA inspector" reviews your declaration, asks a couple of questions and determines whether or not any soil existent on your shoes or belongings poses an actual threat.
Once over at Agri, I wasn't asked a single question. An officer there just collected my card and had me place all luggage on an x-ray. Post x-ray I was waived out the door.
FWIW, I did give the footware a rinse once at my hotel in Miami.
I can only reach two conclusions:
(1) The system didn't work;
(2) The officer who collected my card was a USDA inspector, saw my country of origin and had no concern or felt there was no need to follow-up (aside from the x-ray everyone at Agri gets).