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[Rachey_101]

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[Zeebs]

I always declare ANY food so I would declare the chewing gum. Much easier to declare and for them to laugh at you than not to declare and end up with a fine.

Can't help you with the other question, I would imagine so as you are travelling together.

Kirsten

 

[2Tiggies]

Agreed! Rather decalre everything. You just tick the box on the form and they will ask you what you brought when you get to customs.

You will go though together since you are travelling together.

 

[Rachey_101]

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[wayneg]

Never declared anything, others do, you are OK with candy & chocolate which is mainly what we take. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use
My Mum once forgot she had a roast beef sandwich in her bag, sniffer dog found it, they just asked her to put it in the bin.

Go thru together if they are not happy about it they will ask one to go back. We just went thru a couple of weeks ago with DMIL, different surname and different address but they didn't mind.

Try conversate with them, I almost always manage a good chat and a few smiles out of them. Just throw your passport at them they will be strict and stoney faced, talk to them, they are human and very pleasant people usually. Their job is very boring, most appreciate the conversation.

They could ask anything, how long you intend staying? when was your last visit? are you staying in Florida or going anywhere else? don't panic just answer best you can and you will be fine.

 

[manning]

Never declared anything, others do, you are OK with candy & chocolate which is mainly what we take. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use
My Mum once forgot she had a roast beef sandwich in her bag, sniffer dog found it, they just asked her to put it in the bin.

Go thru together if they are not happy about it they will ask one to go back. We just went thru a couple of weeks ago with DMIL, different surname and different address but they didn't mind.

Try conversate with them, I almost always manage a good chat and a few smiles out of them. Just throw your passport at them they will be strict and stoney faced, talk to them, they are human and very pleasant people usually. Their job is very boring, most appreciate the conversation.

They could ask anything, how long you intend staying? when was your last visit? are you staying in Florida or going anywhere else? don't panic just answer best you can and you will be fine.

I used to work with customs when I worked with the company. (many years ago).

Chatting is ok but don't take it to extreme. Keep it casual. It could trigger a more thorough search. They are very good at reading people. You can say uncanny.

If you forgot to declare something and remember, let them know before they see it. It will avoid a penalty.

 

[blodders]

I used to work with customs when I worked with the company. (many years ago).

Chatting is ok but don't take it to extreme. Keep it casual. It could trigger a more thorough search. They are very good at reading people. You can say uncanny.

If you forgot to declare something and remember, let them know before they see it. It will avoid a penalty.

I have always taken biscuits, coffee and sachets of drinking chocolate and never even thought to declare it. Do I need to? Is it allowed? Or am I better not taking it at all?

 

[dixonsontour]

I'd go up with your bf as you are travelling together. I think I only got sent back once before we were married to go through separately.

I don't declare packaged food like biscuits and sweets and never had a problem.

Last customs officer was very nice and let DD sit on his counter so she could see better.

Smile, be polite, it will be over in 2 mins!

 

[catherine]

On our last trip we were pulled for a random search by the agricultural people. They told us that one of the things that they were looking for were Oxo cubes, go figure!!

 

[wayneg]

On our last trip we were pulled for a random search by the agricultural people. They told us that one of the things that they were looking for were Oxo cubes, go figure!!

Thats one thing they will never find me trying to take in

 

[manning]

I have always taken biscuits, coffee and sachets of drinking chocolate and never even thought to declare it. Do I need to? Is it allowed? Or am I better not taking it at all?

Have no idea. Today maybe yes, tomorrow maybe no. Things always change. Sometimes they may give you a pass, if item is not dangerous. I used to tell our people they are human like us and just hope their spouses gave them a goodbye kiss and not a kick in the butt when they left for work.

 

[Constant]

I have always taken biscuits, coffee and sachets of drinking chocolate and never even thought to declare it. Do I need to? Is it allowed? Or am I better not taking it at all?

Check the link above from Wayne, you may be surprised but what is allowed. We went through with a load of supplies for DD when she was weaning so needed to have a range of snack we knew she was getting used to. It included rusks, raisins, cereal bars, dried fruit, rice cakes etc.

We declared on the customs form he asked what we had and we started with the raisins and dried fruit (as we weren't sure about these) but before we got much further he just smiled and waved us on!

Remember the fine is up to $10k for 'failure to declare'. The rules are so complicated that the specialist customs officer on duty will make a decision. e.g. canned meat is a no however would be ok if the officer can determine from the label that the meat was cooked in the can after it was sealed to make it shelf-stable without refrigeration. Could then also vary depending on country of origin. Just ask then you can't go wrong!

 

[Zeebs]

Can I suggest to anyone one who happens to go to NZ or Australia to please DECLARE everything of food - the actual declaration form asked if you have ANY food.

They are very strict and while I always have food I have never had anything taken off me, they always ask and sometimes check the stuff.

I would hate for there to be a day I didn't declare and end up with a big fine, and they do fine.

Declaring doesn't actually make the journey any longer through.

I find for my peace of mind for the USA if I declare it then there is no way I can get into trouble.

Kirsten

 

[Ware Bears]

We've always declared even though all we've ever taken has been chocolate, sweets and tea.

Can I suggest to anyone one who happens to go to NZ or Australia to please DECLARE everything of food - the actual declaration form asked if you have ANY food.

I love watching Nothing to Declare - oh no, yet another person who just happens to find handfuls of loose seeds in their pockets!

 

[irisheyes123]

I declared The first year I went but don't now all I take is bread and butter and sometimes vegetable cup a soups and was told by them thats fine to take If Im asked by customs when going through If I have food I tell them never been any problem

 

[skelfbsfb]

We always declare if we have any foods especially last year when we had baby milk with us, quick scan and all was well.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I always go through immigration separately to boyfriend. I always thought it was based on your surname rather than anything else because of the form (can't even remember what it's called right now) that you fill out with your "family name".

They normally ask am I with anyone else and I just point back to the queue and say "him". Have done this everytime.

 

[sam_rogers]

I always go through immigration separately to boyfriend. I always thought it was based on your surname rather than anything else because of the form (can't even remember what it's called right now) that you fill out with your "family name".

They normally ask am I with anyone else and I just point back to the queue and say "him". Have done this everytime.

me and dbf did this last time as well, i just pointed to him and it was absoultely fine.

 

[Kath2003]

Whenever my partner and I have tried going through together, they've split us, so we don't bother any more. They don't seem to question the second person very much as they've quizzed the first one through. We got the standard Qs: why are you here, how long are you staying, what do you do for a living etc.

This year we got "why do you keep coming on this date?" - turns out we'd entered the US on the same day of the same month in consecutive years. Simple answer: "I'm a teacher so can only travel in the school holidays, and the flights were cheaper today than any other day this week." BF said, "my gf booked the flights..."

 

[Rachey_101]

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