Sep 6, 2018, 11:23 am
Last edit by: seawolf
Global Entry kiosks typically ask a yes/no question about whether you are bringing "food" into the country. The question is broader than on the deprecated blue form that asked about fruits, vegetables, meats, etc.
CBP answers the question of whether you must declare all "food" on its website:
CBP expects declaration to be made even if not asked by kiosk or explicitly asked by CBP officer
Yes, all food items and products must be declared when entering the U.S.
You may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or country from which you are traveling.
General consensus is that the best practice is to declare any "food", include candies, cookies, snacks, etc. and then inform the CBP agent about your food. Experience has been that in nearly all cases the agent will wave you through with extremely minimal delay. As explained elsewhere, the primary focus of the question is to prevent importation of fruits, vegetable, and meats that could cause harm to the American food supply, but it is safest to allow the CBP agent to make the determination.
There is some debate as to whether items one can ingest for non-nutritive reasons (e.g., gum, toothpaste, medicine) should qualify as food. There does not appear to be an answer from CBP or experience showing the proper categorization of such items.
CBP answers the question of whether you must declare all "food" on its website:
CBP expects declaration to be made even if not asked by kiosk or explicitly asked by CBP officer
Link to TTP Interview guidance letter - Thanks hourglass
Must I declare food items or products when using the Global entry kiosk?
Yes, all food items and products must be declared when entering the U.S.You may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or country from which you are traveling.
There is some debate as to whether items one can ingest for non-nutritive reasons (e.g., gum, toothpaste, medicine) should qualify as food. There does not appear to be an answer from CBP or experience showing the proper categorization of such items.
Global Entry Kiosks Declarations and Food Questions
May 19, 2014, 7:43 am
#136
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Join Date: May 1998
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GE kiosks have changed the question about food
Each of us have different acceptable tolerance for risk. Based on research and experience with secondary, this is acceptable "risk" but again I think the risk of "losing GE" is overblown (or even non-existent) by FT individuals who have not done any research at all.
In the past 15 GE eligible trips, I've been flagged twice for a secondary and both times were due to answering YES. Both times cost 15-20 minutes. Both times, the CBP officer performing the secondary indicted not to declare chocolates/sweets and that they are looking for agricultural products (meat fruit plant).
GE is authorized by the CFR quoted above. The food question is tie to that particular section of CFR and again is for declaration of restricted/prohibited goods. Even if you were to be discover carrying chocolates/sweets on a random secondary and that officer wanted to revoke GE, I think it can be argued on appeals no rule was being violated.
Going back to the first point, each of us have an acceptable level of risk. In this case, I think the risk just isn't there to begin with.
In the past 15 GE eligible trips, I've been flagged twice for a secondary and both times were due to answering YES. Both times cost 15-20 minutes. Both times, the CBP officer performing the secondary indicted not to declare chocolates/sweets and that they are looking for agricultural products (meat fruit plant).
GE is authorized by the CFR quoted above. The food question is tie to that particular section of CFR and again is for declaration of restricted/prohibited goods. Even if you were to be discover carrying chocolates/sweets on a random secondary and that officer wanted to revoke GE, I think it can be argued on appeals no rule was being violated.
Going back to the first point, each of us have an acceptable level of risk. In this case, I think the risk just isn't there to begin with.
May 19, 2014, 8:10 am
#137
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
That's very well stated, seawolf. Usually I just avoid bringing "food".
Occasionally I forget that I have chewable supplements (running energy gels) but don't panic about it as they are pretty far from any agricultural origin.
When I brought back Parmesan and 40 year old balsamic vinegar from Italy, I first verified they were not prohibited items (nature and quantity), then declared food. It took just seconds at YYZ customs.
I once explained my "food" was a bag of M&Ms (chocolate was derived from a plant and dairy ingredients--they don't say how many steps removed from that state is acceptable). The officer was not exercised about it, but he did perform a cursory search of one of my bags. It took a few minutes. Not 20 but maybe 5. Mostly waiting my turn.
In the middle is granola bars. The rolled oats are not so far from "plant". It could be argued the nuts and seeds are "plant". I don't like the "fruit" type so at least there is that. It's individual officer interpretation that I worry about here.
My approach is to avoid bringing them unless I expect I can't get them at the destination, and I am worried about finding food I can eat without allergies in a foreign place.
Occasionally I forget that I have chewable supplements (running energy gels) but don't panic about it as they are pretty far from any agricultural origin.
When I brought back Parmesan and 40 year old balsamic vinegar from Italy, I first verified they were not prohibited items (nature and quantity), then declared food. It took just seconds at YYZ customs.
I once explained my "food" was a bag of M&Ms (chocolate was derived from a plant and dairy ingredients--they don't say how many steps removed from that state is acceptable). The officer was not exercised about it, but he did perform a cursory search of one of my bags. It took a few minutes. Not 20 but maybe 5. Mostly waiting my turn.
In the middle is granola bars. The rolled oats are not so far from "plant". It could be argued the nuts and seeds are "plant". I don't like the "fruit" type so at least there is that. It's individual officer interpretation that I worry about here.
My approach is to avoid bringing them unless I expect I can't get them at the destination, and I am worried about finding food I can eat without allergies in a foreign place.
May 19, 2014, 10:15 am
#138
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
In the past 15 GE eligible trips, I've been flagged twice for a secondary and both times were due to answering YES. Both times cost 15-20 minutes. Both times, the CBP officer performing the secondary indicted not to declare chocolates/sweets and that they are looking for agricultural products (meat fruit plant).
May 19, 2014, 10:56 am
#139
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,142
You raise an interesting point, which makes me wonder whether there is a FT thread entitled "I lost my GE over the Food Question?" Or, is there any FT thread about "Reasons why my GE was revoked?" I don't recall seeing such threads, and that might help us understand the level of true risk out there.
May 19, 2014, 12:11 pm
#140
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
You raise an interesting point, which makes me wonder whether there is a FT thread entitled "I lost my GE over the Food Question?" Or, is there any FT thread about "Reasons why my GE was revoked?" I don't recall seeing such threads, and that might help us understand the level of true risk out there.
May 19, 2014, 3:29 pm
#141
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
You raise an interesting point, which makes me wonder whether there is a FT thread entitled "I lost my GE over the Food Question?" Or, is there any FT thread about "Reasons why my GE was revoked?" I don't recall seeing such threads, and that might help us understand the level of true risk out there.
In other words, the instances of secondaries where the pax had candy and it was a non-issue also seem to be low, meaning we can't really conclude much about risk.
May 28, 2014, 8:09 pm
#142
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: Delta Platinum/1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 652
ATL today - answered "yes" and got the "O".
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
May 28, 2014, 8:30 pm
#143
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
ATL today - answered "yes" and got the "O".
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
May 28, 2014, 9:32 pm
#144
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
ATL today - answered "yes" and got the "O".
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
May 28, 2014, 9:58 pm
#145
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Join Date: Sep 2002
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ATL today - answered "yes" and got the "O".
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
May 29, 2014, 8:01 am
#146
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: Delta Platinum/1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 652
May 29, 2014, 10:00 am
#147
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
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ATL today - answered "yes" and got the "O".
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
Mentioned I had food to the initial agent at the desk. He asked what food, I answered (chocolates, cheese, tea, chips), and he said I could proceed (nothing was stamped).
Get my checked bag and headed to the exit where you turn in your card. The agent who took the card asked the same thing what was I bringing and asked the usual questions: meats? fruits/vegetables? I said no and was welcomed to pass.
Total additional time: probably 10 seconds total
I decided not to bring food through as i didn't want to take the time to declare. Of course there was no one in line and had to wait forever for my bags anyways. Hopefully the crew member i gave them to enjoyed them
May 29, 2014, 6:52 pm
#148
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Returning home through ORD, an airport I rarely fly into/out of. Declared food (chocolates). Got a message something like 'proceed to baggage claim?'. The customs agent asked me what I had, I said a box of chocolates, and I was directed to what is apparently an agricultural station. 15-minute wait in line, they ran my bags through an xray and told me I could go.
I guess I was lucky. The line moved slowly because most folks' bags were being torn apart on the table by the xray exit - that was the reason for the holdup.
I guess I was lucky. The line moved slowly because most folks' bags were being torn apart on the table by the xray exit - that was the reason for the holdup.
May 29, 2014, 7:05 pm
#149
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
Returning home through ORD, an airport I rarely fly into/out of. Declared food (chocolates). Got a message something like 'proceed to baggage claim?'. The customs agent asked me what I had, I said a box of chocolates, and I was directed to what is apparently an agricultural station. 15-minute wait in line, they ran my bags through an xray and told me I could go.
I guess I was lucky. The line moved slowly because most folks' bags were being torn apart on the table by the xray exit - that was the reason for the holdup.
I guess I was lucky. The line moved slowly because most folks' bags were being torn apart on the table by the xray exit - that was the reason for the holdup.
May 29, 2014, 10:57 pm
#150
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 929
Returning home through ORD, an airport I rarely fly into/out of. Declared food (chocolates). Got a message something like 'proceed to baggage claim?'. The customs agent asked me what I had, I said a box of chocolates, and I was directed to what is apparently an agricultural station. 15-minute wait in line, they ran my bags through an xray and told me I could go.