Featured Image Credit: groveb/Getty Images
Topics: US Food
Rachael Davis
Border control in the US can be a nerve-wracking experience. The rules for entry are strict and the people on the desks generally match the energy while they ask pointed questions about who you are, where you’re going, what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
As you approach the Land of the Free by plane, you’ll likely be given a customs form where you have you detail everything you’re bringing with you.
Agricultural products, personal items over the value limit, and cash or travellers’ cheques in excess of $10,000 (£7,350) all need to be declared, and failing to flag everything can land you in trouble.
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In other words: double-check your luggage for anything that might fall foul of the rules and make a note of it on the form.
One TikToker received an education around this when she recently travelled into the US. Dina, returning from a holiday in Amsterdam, had a single apple at the bottom of her bag that slipped her mind.
In a five-second clip posted to TikTok, Dina can be seen with her suitcase in baggage claim with overlaid text reading: “She doesn’t know it yet but a K9 is about to walk up to her and smell the apple that she forgot to declare in customs causing her to almost get fined $500 and get Global Entry revoked.”
If you’re unfamiliar, Global Entry is a kind of fast-track pass for US customs that’s available to pre-approved, low-risk travellers. Losing out on that is kind of like losing a fast-track pass at Alton Towers, and it might even be worse.
In the video’s caption, Dina explained that a border officer asked if she had food in her bag when the dog signalled that it could smell something in there.
“I could fine you $500 right now and revoke your Global Entry," the officer allegedly said.
Dina said the officer then took her passport and examined her bag’s contents.
“He said if I had lied about the apple, I would’ve gotten a $300 fine,” she said in the post. “Then I could’ve gotten another $500 fine for actually having the apple.”
The Customs and Border Control rules state: “All agriculture items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry to ensure they are free of plant pests and foreign animal diseases."
This includes fresh fruit and veg, plants, flowers, seeds, meat, soil, and anything else derived from animals or plants.
"We recommend that you keep receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of their country of origin," says the US Department of Agriculture's website.
"As long as you declare all agricultural products to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, you will not face any penalties—even if an inspector determines that the items cannot enter the country."
Dina got off with a warning, and she’s passing it on to her fellow travellers so they don’t make the same mistake.
“Thankfully I was given a warning because this is my first offense but this was a reminder to take it seriously,” she said.
“I genuinely forgot about the apple and declaring it wasn’t top of mind since they stopped having you fill out those forms on the plane. I also didn’t know you are supposed to declare all food, even if it’s processed.”