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
Jul 5, 2013, 9:03 am
#46
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So until the CBP posts the questions, or someone files a successful foia request, you aren't getting them.
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Last edited by TWA884; Jun 6, 2017 at 9:29 am Reason: Policy debate/commentary, not Trusted Traveler's advice/information
Jul 5, 2013, 9:50 am
#47
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I always answer yes regardless and then when they ask I just say, "Processed food still sealed in its packaging - junk food, chocolate and stuff like that. Stuff you can't get in the US." They've never once taken a look at it. It adds maybe an extra 30 seconds to the exit process so I think it's an easy solution that covers all eventualities.
Jul 5, 2013, 7:23 pm
#48
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This is the closest I can find to what the screen question actually means:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/gen..._allowed.shtml
I followed links from the GE site to the above FAQ about 'Generally allowed food items'. Among them are:
The most important statement for me:
I suspect what this really comes down to is fear of losing GE. If you don't have GE, you probably don't really worry too much about the consequences of not declaring boxes of chocolates or a pack of gum, even if you hit a by-the-book hardline agent. If you do have GE and take a chance and hit a hardline agent, you might lose your GE privilege permanently, not to mention probably getting a serious black mark on your record for the future.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/gen..._allowed.shtml
I followed links from the GE site to the above FAQ about 'Generally allowed food items'. Among them are:
Foodstuffs such as bakery items, candy, and chocolate.
Remember, you must declare all food and agricultural products, including those listed above, to a CBP agriculture specialist or officer when you arrive in the United States
Jul 6, 2013, 10:30 am
#49
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I suspect what this really comes down to is fear of losing GE. If you don't have GE, you probably don't really worry too much about the consequences of not declaring boxes of chocolates or a pack of gum, even if you hit a by-the-book hardline agent. If you do have GE and take a chance and hit a hardline agent, you might lose your GE privilege permanently, not to mention probably getting a serious black mark on your record for the future.
Jul 6, 2013, 7:19 pm
#50
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For my first Kiosk entry, I have to admit that I did not read the questions and selected "No to All", as I was so tired and my eyes hurt. Mainly, I am aware and always careful about the agriculture/food thing and always check No on the paper form anyway.
I was anticipating a question of total value of all goods (including commercial merchandise) you or any family members traveling with you have purchased or acquired abroad, but I did not remember seeing it. Instead, the machine spat the receipt. Maybe I hit the screen too fast.
So, is the aforementioned question asked on the kiosk?
I was anticipating a question of total value of all goods (including commercial merchandise) you or any family members traveling with you have purchased or acquired abroad, but I did not remember seeing it. Instead, the machine spat the receipt. Maybe I hit the screen too fast.
So, is the aforementioned question asked on the kiosk?
Jul 7, 2013, 12:33 pm
#51
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For my first Kiosk entry, I have to admit that I did not read the questions and selected "No to All", as I was so tired and my eyes hurt. Mainly, I am aware and always careful about the agriculture/food thing and always check No on the paper form anyway.
I was anticipating a question of total value of all goods (including commercial merchandise) you or any family members traveling with you have purchased or acquired abroad, but I did not remember seeing it. Instead, the machine spat the receipt. Maybe I hit the screen too fast.
So, is the aforementioned question asked on the kiosk?
I was anticipating a question of total value of all goods (including commercial merchandise) you or any family members traveling with you have purchased or acquired abroad, but I did not remember seeing it. Instead, the machine spat the receipt. Maybe I hit the screen too fast.
So, is the aforementioned question asked on the kiosk?
You need to be careful, because as you should have been taught when you had your GE interview the allowance is not per trip but is per 30 days. With the non GE system, the onus is on the CBP to keep track of your 30 day exemption. With GE, members are on the honor system.
So when answering the question, if you entered a week ago with $700 in purchases, and today have $200 in purchases, you answer yes to question, get your X, get directed to secondary at customs, explain that you are $100 over exemption, and pay your $3 if they decide to bother collecting.
Last edited by mre5765; Jul 7, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Jul 7, 2013, 2:11 pm
#52
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The kiosk asks you if you have exceeded your duty free allowance, yes or no.
You need to be careful, because as you should have been taught when you had your GE interview the allowance is not per trip but is per 30 days. With the non GE system, the onus is on the CBP to keep track of your 30 day exemption. With GE, members are on the honor system.
So when answering the question, if you entered a week ago with $700 in purchases, and today have $200 in purchases, you answer yes to question, get your X, get directed to secondary at customs, explain that you are $100 over exemption, and pay your $3 if they decide to bother collecting.
You need to be careful, because as you should have been taught when you had your GE interview the allowance is not per trip but is per 30 days. With the non GE system, the onus is on the CBP to keep track of your 30 day exemption. With GE, members are on the honor system.
So when answering the question, if you entered a week ago with $700 in purchases, and today have $200 in purchases, you answer yes to question, get your X, get directed to secondary at customs, explain that you are $100 over exemption, and pay your $3 if they decide to bother collecting.
Jul 7, 2013, 9:05 pm
#53
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Good to know and thanks. ^ I am pretty sure that I wasn't taught about this during interview. The whole interview was around 4 minutes plus 6 minus video-watching. Not enough time talking about this stuff. I will for sure read every words on the GE machine at the upcoming entry. Phew!
My interview was about an hour.
Jul 8, 2013, 1:40 pm
#54
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Sep 25, 2013, 9:34 am
#55
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Sorry to resurrect a rapidly aging thread, but I believe the questions can be seen at about 0:34 in the below video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbbZWXlJKQ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbbZWXlJKQ0
Sep 25, 2013, 10:47 am
#56
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Sorry to resurrect a rapidly aging thread, but I believe the questions can be seen at about 0:34 in the below video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbbZWXlJKQ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbbZWXlJKQ0
Sep 25, 2013, 12:15 pm
#57
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The kiosk asks you if you have exceeded your duty free allowance, yes or no.
You need to be careful, because as you should have been taught when you had your GE interview the allowance is not per trip but is per 30 days. With the non GE system, the onus is on the CBP to keep track of your 30 day exemption. With GE, members are on the honor system.
So when answering the question, if you entered a week ago with $700 in purchases, and today have $200 in purchases, you answer yes to question, get your X, get directed to secondary at customs, explain that you are $100 over exemption, and pay your $3 if they decide to bother collecting.
You need to be careful, because as you should have been taught when you had your GE interview the allowance is not per trip but is per 30 days. With the non GE system, the onus is on the CBP to keep track of your 30 day exemption. With GE, members are on the honor system.
So when answering the question, if you entered a week ago with $700 in purchases, and today have $200 in purchases, you answer yes to question, get your X, get directed to secondary at customs, explain that you are $100 over exemption, and pay your $3 if they decide to bother collecting.
Since your duty free purchases are not declared (only excess amounts) for GE pax, there is NO way for CBP to know if you exceeded $800 (in 30 days).
PS: I've priced duty free liquor at several European airports (CDG, LHR, ZRH) and they are NOT bargains. AA (American Airlines), sells duty free on the plane for trips back to the US, and their prices were (much) better than those airport df.
But, I've found that there are liquor shops in the US, which are much cheaper than AA's df.
Hence, I quit dealing with duty free liquor purchases.
Sep 25, 2013, 1:00 pm
#58
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When I had my interview (nearly 4 years ago), nothing was mentioned about an aggregate purchase limit every 30 days [it is not that clearly noted on CBP's website either]--but I knew this from other sources.
Since your duty free purchases are not declared (only excess amounts) for GE pax, there is NO way for CBP to know if you exceeded $800 (in 30 days).
PS: I've priced duty free liquor at several European airports (CDG, LHR, ZRH) and they are NOT bargains. AA (American Airlines), sells duty free on the plane for trips back to the US, and their prices were (much) better than those airport df.
But, I've found that there are liquor shops in the US, which are much cheaper than AA's df.
Hence, I quit dealing with duty free liquor purchases.
Since your duty free purchases are not declared (only excess amounts) for GE pax, there is NO way for CBP to know if you exceeded $800 (in 30 days).
PS: I've priced duty free liquor at several European airports (CDG, LHR, ZRH) and they are NOT bargains. AA (American Airlines), sells duty free on the plane for trips back to the US, and their prices were (much) better than those airport df.
But, I've found that there are liquor shops in the US, which are much cheaper than AA's df.
Hence, I quit dealing with duty free liquor purchases.
^ but I digress.
Sep 25, 2013, 5:14 pm
#59
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This may be a stupid question, but where it says 'Exemption allowance' and mentions $800 for US Residents, $100 for non-Residents, what does that relate to? Goods you intend to leave in the country, such as gifts, or Duty Free purchases? I guess my confusion is that if it relates to the latter and I was to purchase a bottle of liquor (over $100 value), I would have to answer 'Yes' to that even though it's no exceeding my ordinary DF allowance?
Dec 26, 2013, 10:40 pm
#60
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Global Entry Kiosks Declarations / Food Questions
At MSP within the last month, the GE kiosks have reworded the question about whether one is carrying any food.
Previously the GE kiosk asked specifically whether one had meat, cheese, fruit, vegetables, etc.
The new question contains the word food, thus requiring a yes if one has any food, presumably broadly defined to include coffee, mints, hard candy, water, chewing gum, etc. Previously you could honestly say no if you had instant coffee, chocolate candy, cookies and other baked goods, etc.
The new form of the question looked exactly like the food question on the blue paper forms.
Answering yes produces a receipt with a big O or circle, not the X. It instructs you to report to secondary customs inspection. However, before going to baggage claim people are called over to cut the line to speak to an immigration officer briefly.
Previously the GE kiosk asked specifically whether one had meat, cheese, fruit, vegetables, etc.
The new question contains the word food, thus requiring a yes if one has any food, presumably broadly defined to include coffee, mints, hard candy, water, chewing gum, etc. Previously you could honestly say no if you had instant coffee, chocolate candy, cookies and other baked goods, etc.
The new form of the question looked exactly like the food question on the blue paper forms.
Answering yes produces a receipt with a big O or circle, not the X. It instructs you to report to secondary customs inspection. However, before going to baggage claim people are called over to cut the line to speak to an immigration officer briefly.