It's not the gift or duty free nature of the food items, it's the specifics of the declaration for Ag inspection purposes. As noted the blue declaration forms (and thus the NEXUS kiosks) pose the question in a very broad fashion which covers just about anything you can swallow, whereas the GE questions are more specific are thus permit most processed items like candies or the like. As for the Canadian form, the reference to "dairy" is intended to capture raw milk, cheese and similar items, but broadly speaking could include anything made with milk as an ingredient such as milk chocolate.

Went through this morning at about 7:30a for my 9:25a flight and had no one say I had to wait.

I can confirm this process is indeed still in place. My renewal was processed with no visit needed exactly as described above. Application took 9 weeks though to approve.

My timeline FYI:

Application submitted: Feb 21, 2013
Approval notice: Jun 10, 2013
Earliest interview between YVR, Vancouver, Blaine, or Seattle: Sep 19, 2013
After looking for cancellations every week or so, found some on a long weekend - interview done Aug 2, 2013
Card arrives: (edited on Aug 12, 2013) - Aug 12

As well another question I had - Blaine does NOT have an iris scan. However once you have done your interview (even before you get your card) you can drop in and get your irises scanned at YVR or at the Pacific Highway border crossing (Canada side) - took me all of 5 minutes. They gave me an info sheet at the border complete with hours, details, and a map.

Good luck!

Just completed my Nexus interviews today and forgot to ask. Do I have to fill out a US customs declaration card when I use the nexus lanes at an airport, travelling into the US?

Thanks

If you use a NEXUS kiosk, you will have to complete a declaration form. If, however, you use the Global Entry kiosks that are available at all preclearance airports, you will complete the declaration on the kiosk, and avoid having to complete the form.

Couple data points as the topics are being discussed recently. Was just in YYC and did use Nexus and answered 'Yes' to the food question as we had nuts in our trail mix. Did get sent to secondary but there was no line there. They just asked what we had and didn't ask to see it or search our luggage when we told them. Just took the Nexus receipts and declaration form and wished us a nice day.

Also my wife had to stop at the Nexus office to update her passport and straighten out her Global Entry access as it wasn't working with her US permanent resident card and I had her ask about driver's license updates as ours both expire next year. They said we only have to update if we change states. Will stop by to update anyway but doesn't seem like they care about it just being expired.

Are NEXUS members able to use a dedicated security lane for international departures out of YYZ the way we can for transborder flights? I have an upcoming flight on TK in J but from what I've read on here I cannot use the priority lane for security as that is for AC Elites only. Thanks!

Yes there is a NEXUS security lane for international as well.

Quick question, I lost my wallet so lost my nexus in it.
I have asked for replacement (about 2.5 weeks ago)
Do you know if I can still use the global entry machines since they are biometric
Does anyone know how long it takes to get a replacement.

The policy is that you must have your card with you if you are using GE/Nexus. Apparently they can revoke you card if they catch you using the lanes without the card and at random (very infrequently) times they have asked to show the card.

GE at the airport doesn't require a card, so would suspect one would be fine without it. GE cards only started being issued a year or so ago, and are pretty much exclusively for using trusted traveler lanes when entering the US by land. Many GE only folks don't have them.

That said, don't know 100% for sure that one isn't required when GE is obtained though NEXUS. Would make sense that it isn't, but with the government, you just never know. It is also possible that when you report your NEXUS card as lost/stolen, they also suspend the membership completely, including GE benefits, until you finish whatever process is needed.

I would think a call to the Nexus number on the website, or even to a US GE office and you will get a better answer.

Vernonc - can you point to the place where it shows that a card is necessary when using GE. For Nexus, for sure it is, but I've never sent this if using GE.

I also seem to recall being told to have the card to use GE, but this official page says the card is not required.

It also addresses the lost/stolen issue.

http://www.globalentry.gov/faq.html#f1

FWIW, at the end of my interview the US guy said I could start using GE that day and that I could use NEXUS after the card arrived.

And actually, speaking of cards.. I'm curious if everyone's photo looks are low quality as mine. I'm guessing it's not just limited to YYZ, but I find it kind of odd that they take all these precautions when accepting people into the program, yet the photo for your card is taken with probably a $15 webcam. You'd think with all the bio-metric data they collect they'd have some kind of decent camera to put a better picture of the cardholder.

I thought I would post this US USDA page in relation to the declaration of "food" at GE.

Generally Allowed Food Items

The following food items are generally allowed entry:

blablabla
- Foodstuffs such as bakery items, candy, and chocolate.
blablabla

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.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/gen..._allowed.shtml