Does "walking out with the sticker" equate to "being able to use the machine"? Seems like walking up to a machine that doesn't know who I am won't help me. ;-) Or is the sticker enough to at the very least get me to the front of the line even if the machine doesn't know who I am?

Also, I'm planning on scheduling the interview during a 4hr layover at EWR next week... does anyone know what happens if you miss a scheduled interview? While I certainly plan on padding the arrival->interview schedule by a good bit, it's always possible that my inbound is cancelled or very heavily delayed... and I don't want to risk getting red-flagged.

The express purpose of the sticker is to get front-of-line privileges in the event of a machine failure. The way it was explained to me, the GE machines are monitored by the closest several CBP officer booths. If they see a GE member flag them, they serve that person prior to the next person in their direct line.

I was in an even more precarious situation for my interview about 3 weeks ago in IAH. Not realizing that I would get Conditional Approval so quickly, I had scheduled on my airline ticket, a connection from JAN-IAH-LAX that didn't allow for enough time to interview in IAH. (I, like you, was heading outbound intl from the USA.) And since it was a Sunday flight, IAH was--unusually--open for interviews but LAX was not. Decided I wanted to use GE on my next re-entry back into the USA, so really wanted to schedule an interview in IAH before leaving the country, as I live outside the USA and didn't have any other great options. I ended up gambling, scheduling the interview and praying I could get on standby at an earlier flight. It was hairy, but it worked out.

My Plan B, if I could not have made the standby flight and thus the interview, was to CALL the IAH office for CBP/GE from my originating airport, and cancel out about 2-3 hours ahead of time. So, keep the EWR number handy in case you have irregular ops and can't make it. CBP surely has had this happen to prospective interviewees before. I don't think they'd hold it against you as long as you notified them and promised to reschedule the interview. BTW I'm looking forward to using GE for the 1st time at LAX in a couple of weeks. ;)

Got my conditional approval today (turn around just short of 8 days); stopping by SFO before work tomorrow to do my interview (I live about 10 min south of the airport when traffic is good) - absolutely no shortage of available slots.

The conditional approval part was done very quickly. After the interview, even though it seemed that I was approved, the system took its time to send me an email. And, no, I don't think I have a complex CBP record.

Well I had my interview last night at 6:30 (IAH); it took 10 minutes got the sticker and went home. Had the approval letter by 9:00 this morning so about 15 hours from interview to approval. I must admit this was much less of an ordeal than I anticipated...should have done it months ago.^

They put in the sticker after they've scanned your passport into the system. Now, it's possible there's some delay on the uploading/propagation of your passport info systemwide, but everything happens at the interview that's necessary to get you going. If for some reason the machine doesn't recognize you then you get to talk to a CBP agent, and all should be fine.

Interview was today, and took about 25 minutes (including a few fumbles of mine with the machine.) It pretty much went as described by others: most of the questions were right off the form, so I'm sure it was in part their equivalent of SPOT, but some were clearly followup and not redundant.

Update: didn't check the relevant email until I got home from work, but I got my approval email within about 15 minutes of leaving the center.

Has anybody been able to bring a non GE family member through the GE line, and take advantage of front line privileges? I am going to SYD with a family member, and would still like to use GE when we return to the US.. Can they use the regular line, while I use GE?

Yes. Someone else besides you has to fill out and sign the written customs declaration while you go through the GE kiosk. That way you can secure your checked bags while the rest of your family is in line.

Alright, thanks for letting me know. GOES Support had told me that it depended on the officer, as to whether I could bring them to the front of the line while I used GE.

I tried at IAH earlier this week - no joy.

Would not have tried to go through GE separately w/out my wife and small kids, because my wife would have exacted enormous pain for leaving her with the kids.

Bags were already off the carousel by the time we got to baggage claim.

Greg

1) If you do it that way, but you have >$800 in goods, does one split the declaration (I have $600, wife has $500)?

2) Can you use the GE customs line for everyone?

I am curious whether anyone has tried with spouse also with GE but child <14 (so not eligible). I was told at IAD interview that they likely would allow this, but no guarantee.

Did anybody in GOES change from green card to US passport ? I have my oath ceremony next week and will then apply for my US passport.
I checked and I can not add a passport to the documents.

Yes split the declaration.

But note that the $800 exemption can be used just once every 30 days, and it is not cumulative during those 30 days.

So if you know you'll be traveling again in 30 days, and at that time will be bringing back more than $200 of stuff (or more than 50 cigarettes, 10 cigars, or 5 oz of alcohol or perfume), then you would be better off splitting it as $900 for the wife, and $200 for you. She then uses the $800 personal exemption, and is subject to duty on the excess $100 (which will almost surely be waived), and you use your personal $200 exemption.

But the $200 exemption is usable only if you've been away 48 hours or more. If you've been out less than 48 hours, then put all $1100 on the wife. With $300 over her exemption, it is somewhat more likely she'll pay duty, but even so it is pretty cheap ... $27 in this case.

It is pretty complicated (and I haven't even gotten to the $1600 exemption which is pretty mind boggling). Non-GE frequent travelers pretty much ignore this, and I suspect routinely mistakenly use their $800 exemption multiple times in 30 days (and the amounts are likely too petty for CBP to pursue). As a GE traveler the bar is much higher for you. Adhere to the rules 100% in order to keep your privilege, and I suspect you'll live the same pre-GE duty-free existence you had before. The CBP wants compliance more than it wants a few dollars out of you. Maintain a spreadsheet if you have to.

Note that origin of manufacture can result in exemption of duty. E.g. stuff made in Mexico and Canada is exempt.

Remember to bring cash in case the duty station doesn't accept Visa or MC. $100 cash is plenty for most situations.

Since everyone isn't GE, no. If there is a separate GE line, I suspect a hassle if the GE holder uses the non-GE line and hands the GE receipt to the CBP officer. The GE program appears to be intended for people who can navigate an airport independently, hence the bar being set at age 14 and higher.