Traveling can be an exciting experience, but it can also be stressful when you're not sure what to expect at customs. If you've forgotten to throw away or declare a sandwich at the airport, you might be wondering what will happen the next time you travel. Will you be flagged for a second inspection, or will you be placed on some kind of lifetime list? Here's what you need to know.
When you enter a country, it's important to declare any food items you're bringing with you. This is because some foods can carry pests or diseases that could harm the country's agriculture. If you forget to declare your sandwich, it's possible that it will be confiscated by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. However, if this is the first time it's happened, it's unlikely that you'll receive a fine.
The Good News
The good news is that forgetting to declare your sandwich once probably won't result in any long-term consequences. The CBP doesn't keep a list of travelers who have had food items confiscated, so you won't be flagged for a second inspection the next time you travel. However, it's always a good idea to be prepared and to know what you're allowed to bring into the country.
How To Avoid Issues With Customs?
If you're planning on traveling with food items, here are some tips to help you avoid having them confiscated:
Research the country's customs regulations: Before you travel, make sure you know what foods are allowed into the country. Some countries have strict regulations about what can be brought in, so it's important to be informed.
Pack your food properly: If you're traveling with food items, make sure they're properly packaged and labeled. This will help the CBP officers identify what's in your bag.
Declare all food items: When you reach customs, make sure to declare all of the food items you're bringing with you. This includes sandwiches, snacks, and any other items you're bringing along for the ride.
Will I Get In Trouble For Forgetting to Declare To Customs?
Forgetting to declare a sandwich at customs probably won't have any long-term consequences. However, it's always a good idea to be prepared and to know what you're allowed to bring into the country. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your food items make it through customs without any problems. Happy travels!
Frequent Travelers Shared Their Opinions
A user said, “This happened to a woman who got an Apple from a Delta flight. CBP revoked her Global Entry. She contacted her congressman and the media and it made the rounds on TV. CBP removed the fine and gave her the Global Entry back.”
Another said, “My favorite TSA confiscation was when they grabbed a mostly used tube of toothpaste from me. (This was early in the liquid ban.) They offered to ship the toothpaste to my final destination, at my cost. I asked them if they really thought I'd want to pay $10 for less than a buck's worth of toothpaste. I told them they could keep it. I'm now Global Entry, so it's obvious they don't care. (Our local sheriff grabbed his wrong bag when he went to the airport. It turned out his gym bag had a handgun. It made the news, but he still flies without a problem.)”
More Opinions and Experiences
Another said, “My colleague in Indonesia gave my colleagues and me fresh lemongrass, ginger, and palm sugar in grocery produce bags to take home. I listed it on the form to see what they would say and was kind of expecting CBP to take it. Nobody made any comment about it.”
Source: Reddit.
