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
Feb 19, 2015, 10:36 am
#211
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In my NEXUS interview I was told anything other than gum was food.
At CBP at YVR about a year and a half ago after declaring I had soda, cashews and lifesavers, the guy looked at me incredulously and asked if I also wanted to declare the contents of my stomach, intestines and anything under my fingernails.
At CBP at YVR about a year and a half ago after declaring I had soda, cashews and lifesavers, the guy looked at me incredulously and asked if I also wanted to declare the contents of my stomach, intestines and anything under my fingernails.
??? Just following the rules, dude. Maybe since you're working here, you should read up on them sometime instead of scolding and threatening me.
Feb 21, 2015, 1:43 am
#212
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GE kiosks have changed the question about food
Good to see they finally got rid of this "generic" food question and went back to something similar to what they had in the past. Just went thru JFK with lots of food (chocolate wafers/crisps/biscuits) and was able to select "No to All."
Jun 6, 2015, 4:10 pm
#213
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Unfortunately, the word "food" has returned. I saw it Thursday when entering at IAD. On the plus side, when I presented my "O" receipt at customs, the officer asked what I was declaring rather than simply directing me to secondary. Once I stated what I had (chocolates), she wished me a nice day and sent me on my way.
Last edited by 14940674; Jun 6, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Jun 6, 2015, 5:03 pm
#214
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. I wonder if that has to do with the new arrangement having kiosks reading non-GE passports or if there are GE holders bringing in prohibited food.
Jun 7, 2015, 1:05 am
#215
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I had it at LA last week...just mentioned to the inspector at the exit that i had some crackers and he let me go without a bag check
Jun 7, 2015, 6:29 am
#216
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GE kiosks have changed the question about food
If they've changed their process to give customs agent discretion to "override" the "baggage control" on the GE receipt consistently at all PoEs, it's an acceptable trade off.
Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks for the heads up.
Jun 14, 2015, 6:52 pm
#217
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Yup, food was back for me, YYZ pre-clearance. Guy at booth at the end of kiosk asked me what I had, said chocolate, and he stamped my receipt/BP and I was on my way. Maybe an extra 10 - 20 seconds.
Not a big deal, but wish they would just keep it consistent, either ask about "food" or don't. While I don't really think this is the case, part of me is curious as to if its some sort of way to catch people answering the question mindlessly vs. actually reading them.
Not a big deal, but wish they would just keep it consistent, either ask about "food" or don't. While I don't really think this is the case, part of me is curious as to if its some sort of way to catch people answering the question mindlessly vs. actually reading them.
Jun 14, 2015, 6:56 pm
#218
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As tempting to me as that "no to all" button is, I take the 30 seconds or so to read the questions. Just in case they're sticking traps in there. I'd hope not though. That's not in the spirit of "trusted", which I would hope was a two-way street.
Jun 23, 2015, 9:14 am
#219
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Unfortunately, the word "food" has returned. I saw it Thursday when entering at IAD. On the plus side, when I presented my "O" receipt at customs, the officer asked what I was declaring rather than simply directing me to secondary. Once I stated what I had (chocolates), she wished me a nice day and sent me on my way.
Jul 5, 2015, 10:18 am
#220
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GE kiosks have changed the question about food
Went thru JFK today. Had chocolates.
Told GE-dedicated customs agent and was waived thru. I'm ok with the food question if they have empowered customs agents with discretion to waive thru instead of sending all baggage control GE to secondary.
Told GE-dedicated customs agent and was waived thru. I'm ok with the food question if they have empowered customs agents with discretion to waive thru instead of sending all baggage control GE to secondary.
Jul 5, 2015, 3:19 pm
#221
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That's been an allowance for CBP employees for the entire history of the CBP. I often declare food, get the indication for something or having declared something (foodstuff), and am most commonly asked what foodstuff I have and then told to just go (directly to the exit) when I mention that I have some chewing gum/candies/chocolates.
Jul 5, 2015, 4:19 pm
#222
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That's been an allowance for CBP employees for the entire history of the CBP. I often declare food, get the indication for something or having declared something (foodstuff), and am most commonly asked what foodstuff I have and then told to just go (directly to the exit) when I mention that I have some chewing gum/candies/chocolates.
Jul 6, 2015, 2:16 pm
#223
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JFK is one of my most frequently used US POEs, and the CBP there and at EWR have been waiving me by even after declaring foodstuff each and every year, multiple times per year, for at least the past ten years. MIA tends to be more stubborn and worse in so many ways, and this would be one of those ways.
Jul 6, 2015, 4:05 pm
#224
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The weasel word was back in at LAX a couple weeks ago. I didn't have anything, so it wasn't relevant, but it is really stupid. The declaration needs to reflect what the law actual is, and what is required to be declared, not be some catch all meant to harass and intimidate.
Also at LAX, the guy in the GE customs line was asking multiple questions - as if he was doing an immigration inspection. He also thought he was making a joke but ended up insulting me (asked what I do for a living, I answered that I'm a lawyer, he responded with "at least you're not a used car salesman." My dad has owned used car dealerships for 25 years and I let him know I didn't appreciate it.). Horrible way to treat TTs.
Also at LAX, the guy in the GE customs line was asking multiple questions - as if he was doing an immigration inspection. He also thought he was making a joke but ended up insulting me (asked what I do for a living, I answered that I'm a lawyer, he responded with "at least you're not a used car salesman." My dad has owned used car dealerships for 25 years and I let him know I didn't appreciate it.). Horrible way to treat TTs.
Jul 7, 2015, 4:09 pm
#225
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Flew into IAD this afternoon and there was no specific mention of 'food' on the declaration screen. It had the standard 'meat, plants, etc'
Last edited by FriendlySkies; Jul 7, 2015 at 5:03 pm Reason: Clarify