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 15, 2012, 4:30 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
I could be wrong, but I don't think the kiosk question was originally quite that specific about food. If it has changed, it is probably because of folks like me who took no chances, only to get told, rather snippily, "'This? This isn't food. Why are you wasting my time?" I've been honest, I declared things with GE that I never would have declared prior to GE, 'out of an abundance of caution.'
Feb 15, 2012, 6:57 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,700
That might explain the impatience of CBP officers at LAX on two occasions there when I declared chocolates I was bringing back. However, neither the CBP officers at LAX or any other airport where I declared chocolates (allowed) at GE ever pointed out that according to the kiosk, they were allowed (and I obviously didn't read the kiosk closely enough).
Feb 16, 2012, 12:28 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
The kiosk notes the specific categories they want declared (some of which may well be admissible, and just need to be inspected). It notes "fluid milk" instead of plain "dairy" and doesn't have a generic "food".
Its not just CPSC. There is also a very old food safety law that is on the books that also is used. Its ridiculous, but they are very serious about Kinder Eggs. Don't bring them.
Its not just CPSC. There is also a very old food safety law that is on the books that also is used. Its ridiculous, but they are very serious about Kinder Eggs. Don't bring them.
Feb 16, 2012, 12:41 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Would the correct course of action be to declare those as alcohol?
Feb 16, 2012, 12:51 pm
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,700
I can't remember - do you have to declare all alcohol, or just over a certain amount?
Feb 16, 2012, 1:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Feb 17, 2012, 12:33 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
http://london.usembassy.gov/ukcustom.html#prohibit
The fact that you can buy something in the US doesn't mean you can personally import it. For example, plenty of plants and food can be brought in by certified importers but not individuals.
Feb 18, 2012, 8:16 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,968
As noted, the GlobalEntry kiosk declaration system DOES NOT ASK ABOUT "FOOD" GENERALLY, unlike the paper customs declaration which uses the term "food."
Instead, the kiosk asks about specific types of food that must be declared, such as fruits, vegetables, etc. This was a fairly recent change (within the last couple of years) and acknowledges that most GlobalEntry members are VERY aware of what must be declared and what does not need to be declared. Chocolates, candies, cookies, most hard/pasteurized cheeses, and most dry goods would not be of interest to the CBP officers, and so GlobalEntry members in good standing are exempt from declaring them.
It is important to keep in mind that if the kiosks are nonfunctional and you need to fill out a paper declaration, the paper form DOES ask about "food" generally, so you MUST check "YES" if you are carrying ANYTHING that can be consumed as food, even if you know that it is permitted and would not need to be declared on the kiosks if they were working.
If you do not declare properly you risk huge fines, loss of Trusted Traveler status, confiscation of items, and potential flags on your record that could result in continual referral to secondary searches for years afterwards.
Instead, the kiosk asks about specific types of food that must be declared, such as fruits, vegetables, etc. This was a fairly recent change (within the last couple of years) and acknowledges that most GlobalEntry members are VERY aware of what must be declared and what does not need to be declared. Chocolates, candies, cookies, most hard/pasteurized cheeses, and most dry goods would not be of interest to the CBP officers, and so GlobalEntry members in good standing are exempt from declaring them.
It is important to keep in mind that if the kiosks are nonfunctional and you need to fill out a paper declaration, the paper form DOES ask about "food" generally, so you MUST check "YES" if you are carrying ANYTHING that can be consumed as food, even if you know that it is permitted and would not need to be declared on the kiosks if they were working.
If you do not declare properly you risk huge fines, loss of Trusted Traveler status, confiscation of items, and potential flags on your record that could result in continual referral to secondary searches for years afterwards.
Feb 18, 2012, 9:38 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: ORD-JFK-EZE-MAD
Programs: AA LT PLT 4mm / Free Agent / GE / Secret Handshake
Posts: 854
--J
Feb 19, 2012, 5:32 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
Those with the authority to revoke your status or flag your name (CBP and its officers) have warned members that they will face such consequences for violating the rules of the program. I doubt that CBP was speculating.
Feb 19, 2012, 8:14 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,968
The US Customs and Border Protection officer who completed my interview made me aware of the consequences in no uncertain terms, using similar words to what I included in my post. It is not speculation. I tend to think that CBP officers are pretty good at their jobs, and are pretty familiar with the rules--it is their job to be, after all.
Feb 20, 2012, 8:31 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: ORD-JFK-EZE-MAD
Programs: AA LT PLT 4mm / Free Agent / GE / Secret Handshake
Posts: 854
--J
Jun 26, 2013, 12:15 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Global Entry Kiosks Declarations and Food Questions
Does anyone have a listing/link for the GE Kiosk questions?
Apologies if this is addressed elsewhere. I have searched without success.
Apologies if this is addressed elsewhere. I have searched without success.
Jun 27, 2013, 2:44 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
If you mean the questions on the physical kiosk, it's the same questions they ask you on the paper Declaration Form 6059B:
1) Do you have plants, seeds, insects, etc.;
2) Have you been near a farm or livestock;
3) Do you have more than $10,000 USD in cash/bonds;
4) Do you have merchandise intended for resale.
There are no other questions.
1) Do you have plants, seeds, insects, etc.;
2) Have you been near a farm or livestock;
3) Do you have more than $10,000 USD in cash/bonds;
4) Do you have merchandise intended for resale.
There are no other questions.
Jun 27, 2013, 4:00 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,347
If you mean the questions on the physical kiosk, it's the same questions they ask you on the paper Declaration Form 6059B:
1) Do you have plants, seeds, insects, etc.;
2) Have you been near a farm or livestock;
3) Do you have more than $10,000 USD in cash/bonds;
4) Do you have merchandise intended for resale.
There are no other questions.
1) Do you have plants, seeds, insects, etc.;
2) Have you been near a farm or livestock;
3) Do you have more than $10,000 USD in cash/bonds;
4) Do you have merchandise intended for resale.
There are no other questions.
FB