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As a global entry, she was using the automated passport control, with no human interaction. There is a question starting with "Do you have any fruits, vegetables, plants...." to which she answered no. And, there are only 4 questions in all, if I remember it right.
PS: It also advises you of penalty of felony and $10,000 fine.
It seems to me that Global Entry might be the problem here. When I have traveled international, I always talked to a customs agent, and could explain things like fruits I was carrying. If you are using a kiosk, how are you going to explain anything? Add to that, that if she does this a lot, she probably just started answering the question "no", just so she could get cleared through. I'm not sure that this is a good program to sign up for.
yes. once the airplane enters the airspace of another country or land in another country, legally it left the USA and under the jurisdiction of that country already.
If it was in a sealed, Washington state origin package then it's not a contamination, nor has it every "left" the USA as the airin it is US air!!
hUMOR aside, her "crime" appears to be when she answered "NO" to whether she had fruit on her person. Sad. I stood at the US border and ATE my Wash. state apricots, a bag full. Paid the price later, In Canada!
I am less sympathetic as she is a frequent traveler on global entry (I am too) and should know better.
This woman is a resident here in the metro Denver area... this was her first time traveling on her newly acquired Global Entry status... at least that is what has been reported locally.
It seems to me that Global Entry might be the problem here. When I have traveled international, I always talked to a customs agent, and could explain things like fruits I was carrying. If you are using a kiosk, how are you going to explain anything? Add to that, that if she does this a lot, she probably just started answering the question "no", just so she could get cleared through. I'm not sure that this is a good program to sign up for.
I can understand the perspective that the penalty is high, but the problem is not Delta, Global Entry, food served by Delta, the country of origin of the apple, etc. but the false response given by the passenger to a very clear and straightforward question. Most US airports have now switched to kiosks where the inbound passengers are asked very clear and short 4 questions. It is definitely a clear expectation that an inbound passenger will respond truthfully. I think there is a warning there to put fear of the Law, if not the God, there about the importance of the declaration.
Clearly, the passenger made a, likely inadvertent, false statement and could have been forgiven or fined more lightly. But, the moaning about losing global entry in the future is not right. It is a privilege and not a right.
Except in this case what she didn't declare could actually cost tens of millions of real dollars due to potential pests, not $3.50 in unclaimed duty.
See: Fire ants, medfly, termites, etc. etc.
Except they often will just let the person throw it away upon arrival. The fine could have been lower, a warning, etc. It is not like she brought a bag full of fruit in, or even brought with her from her departure.
I think the fine is too much given the circumstances.
Interesting enough, only a fraction of US food imports to include fruits and vegetables, are ever inspected.
Currently, three principal treatment methods are used on fruit and vegetables imported into the United States: mechanical (such as cold treatment or hot water or chemical dips), fumigation, and irradiation.
GE Members are held to higher standards. Bringing food into the country from an international location is a huge No No for obvious reasons. You are expected to have your act together when you accept the conditions of GE. You can't forget that you have food on you.
Yes. I have a GE card going on 6 years now.
I dont mean to come across as a goody two shoes...far from it but I would never take food off a plane.
As a global entry, she was using the automated passport control, with no human interaction. There is a question starting with "Do you have any fruits, vegetables, plants...." to which she answered no. And, there are only 4 questions in all, if I remember it right.
PS: It also advises you of penalty of felony and $10,000 fine.
Exactly. Reading is fundamental. I just don't get people not knowing the importance of Customs, nor ignoring the questions.
I still question the apple was a Delta apple. I have been on many flights (domestic and International) and have never been given a fresh fruit. I would think it would be a potential danger having fresh fruit stored on airplanes due to fruit-flies.
Exactly. Reading is fundamental. I just don't get people not knowing the importance of Customs, nor ignoring the questions.
I still question the apple was a Delta apple. I have been on many flights (domestic and International) and have never been given a fresh fruit. I would think it would be a potential danger having fresh fruit stored on airplanes due to fruit-flies.
Obviously it was a Delta apple. However, firstly it doesnt matter at all in this context, and secondly its quite unlikely that it was brought from America. Delta will have catering contracts in most of their international destinations and meals for the return leg will be loaded there and branded appropriately. There just isn't enough space to carry hundreds of meals out and hundreds of meals back.
What airport is it? I need to avoid this airport in the future. This custom agent is ridiculous.
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