Got an "A" in customs declaration form
Jul 29, 2010 | 1:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
Got an "A" in customs declaration form
I got a big "A" on my customs declaration form for marking "no" for bringing any food when I was carrying 2 homemade sandwiches (no meat) for my 2nd flight since they don´t feed you at all.
The customs agent told me I should have marked "yes" and if what I was bringing was illegal (I assume he was referring to any ham/meat) I could get a $300 fine. I was sent to Agriculture screening and let me go but I know they typed something into their computer.
Does that mean that from now on I am going to be thoroughly screened every time I come back? Does anybody know if there are any repercussions?
Thanks.
The customs agent told me I should have marked "yes" and if what I was bringing was illegal (I assume he was referring to any ham/meat) I could get a $300 fine. I was sent to Agriculture screening and let me go but I know they typed something into their computer.
Does that mean that from now on I am going to be thoroughly screened every time I come back? Does anybody know if there are any repercussions?
Thanks.
Jul 29, 2010 | 1:21 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
I've had the "A" before and been searched at the secondary counter. It hasn't affected my other transits through immigration/customs in any manner that is apparent to me.
That said, I'd have marked "yes" and explained when asked, not marked "no" and hope they don't notice. No need to lie if you aren't doing anything illegal.
I've had the "A" before and been searched at the secondary counter. It hasn't affected my other transits through immigration/customs in any manner that is apparent to me.
That said, I'd have marked "yes" and explained when asked, not marked "no" and hope they don't notice. No need to lie if you aren't doing anything illegal.
Jul 29, 2010 | 1:44 pm
#6
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I got a big "A" on my customs declaration form for marking "no" for bringing any food when I was carrying 2 homemade sandwiches (no meat) for my 2nd flight since they don´t feed you at all.
The customs agent told me I should have marked "yes" and if what I was bringing was illegal (I assume he was referring to any ham/meat) I could get a $300 fine. I was sent to Agriculture screening and let me go but I know they typed something into their computer.
Does that mean that from now on I am going to be thoroughly screened every time I come back? Does anybody know if there are any repercussions?
Thanks.
The customs agent told me I should have marked "yes" and if what I was bringing was illegal (I assume he was referring to any ham/meat) I could get a $300 fine. I was sent to Agriculture screening and let me go but I know they typed something into their computer.
Does that mean that from now on I am going to be thoroughly screened every time I come back? Does anybody know if there are any repercussions?
Thanks.
You may get flagged down a bit more in the relative near term for Ag inspections than you otherwise would have (if over-declaring rather than under-declaring/omitting), but what you did is nothing to worry about for the longer term.
Jul 29, 2010 | 1:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: AC.SE
Posts: 2,584
I got an "A" at SFO when I declared some almonds and cashews I had brought back from Asia. When I got to the agriculture people, the inspector told me he couldn't figure out why the CBP agent singled me out for further inspection, and that there was no need for it. Hasn't affected me on subsequent flights.
Jul 29, 2010 | 2:04 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: yyz, ytz, (fly from BUF often)
Programs: Delta Silver, United Silver, Aegean Silver, Avis First
Posts: 125
I travel across the Canada / USA border very often, and find the reaction to food is different form customs agent to customs agent. The best time, is when I take the megabus to the BUF airport, and the K9 walks the line and finds everything! As long as your not bringing meat or fruit, you have nothing to worry about. But check yes, and share the whole story to be safe.
Jul 29, 2010 | 3:56 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Posts: 3,167
I have received an "A" on my customs form when I declared food that they wanted to inspect. I don't think it's a scarlet letter or anything. 
Jul 29, 2010 | 6:20 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,214
My experience was that once I went through one Ag inspection, that it happened more frequently after your first. That said, I always bring food home from trips, normally sweets for the office. I got the Ag inspection the first time when I brought home foie gras from France (which I did declare and was admitted). I have now had a couple of inspections when I didn't declare (and didn't have) any questionable products).
Jul 29, 2010 | 6:28 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
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We have been sent to Ag when we had no food items declared and other instances, this past Jan, when we have declared food items we are sent on without the detour to Ag. Either CBP doesn't know what they are doing, it was a new agent, or like the TSA, they are trying to keep the terrorists off guard. Go figure. 
Jul 29, 2010 | 8:32 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: MSY
Programs: DL PM, LY Silver
Posts: 520
I got a big "A" on my customs declaration form for marking "no" for bringing any food when I was carrying 2 homemade sandwiches (no meat) for my 2nd flight since they don´t feed you at all.
The customs agent told me I should have marked "yes" and if what I was bringing was illegal (I assume he was referring to any ham/meat) I could get a $300 fine. I was sent to Agriculture screening and let me go but I know they typed something into their computer.
Does that mean that from now on I am going to be thoroughly screened every time I come back? Does anybody know if there are any repercussions?
Thanks.
The customs agent told me I should have marked "yes" and if what I was bringing was illegal (I assume he was referring to any ham/meat) I could get a $300 fine. I was sent to Agriculture screening and let me go but I know they typed something into their computer.
Does that mean that from now on I am going to be thoroughly screened every time I come back? Does anybody know if there are any repercussions?
Thanks.
I hope you didn't blow your chance to enroll in Global Entry, which is the best thing since sliced bread.
Last edited by GMill; Jul 29, 2010 at 8:34 pm Reason: Stupidity
Jul 29, 2010 | 8:39 pm
#14
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
We have been sent to Ag when we had no food items declared and other instances, this past Jan, when we have declared food items we are sent on without the detour to Ag. Either CBP doesn't know what they are doing, it was a new agent, or like the TSA, they are trying to keep the terrorists off guard. Go figure.
Had this a couple times; nothing more than a quick glance or question.
Nov 5, 2010 | 12:21 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 2
Been on a farm outside the USA?
Interesting forum. Great discussions.
I'm just wondering... Has anyone has ever checked the yes box when asked on the customs form if they had been on a farm or near livestock?
I've never been to a farm (or been around livestock) in a foreign country, but certainly anything is possible in the future. So I'm just wondering what happens when a person checks this box? I'm just curious.
====
Update: Oh... I see (when I posted my question) that someone replied to an earlier post that the inspectors wanted to inspect their shoes after being on a farm. That's what I was wondering. Thanks.
I'm just wondering... Has anyone has ever checked the yes box when asked on the customs form if they had been on a farm or near livestock?
I've never been to a farm (or been around livestock) in a foreign country, but certainly anything is possible in the future. So I'm just wondering what happens when a person checks this box? I'm just curious.
====
Update: Oh... I see (when I posted my question) that someone replied to an earlier post that the inspectors wanted to inspect their shoes after being on a farm. That's what I was wondering. Thanks.
Last edited by euro888; Nov 5, 2010 at 12:23 pm Reason: Saw a similar post...