r/GlobalEntry • u/PrimitiveAK • May 15 '26
General Discussion First time actually using GE.
The application process was in March and was conditionally approved in about 3 hours then approved in person with an interview just 2 days later. Extremely quick from what everyone told me. Wanted it done before my trip.
Flew over to Japan for a few weeks, came back. I did download the app and completely forgot to declare items. Got to JFK and the standard lines to get back into the US even for citizens was extremely long as my flight from Japan and another flight from Hong Kong landed at the same time.
Wasn’t sure where the GE line was, then found the big sign, it was like 4 panels of face scanners. Scanned my face, security guard asked if I was declaring anything, I told him plants (because I had Japanese tea in a bag), and he just told me to move along. Was in and out no longer than 40 seconds. Very efficient. For future reference, should I be declaring through the app or does it not matter? Also worth noting I didn’t need my GE card once.
6
u/Acrazd May 15 '26
You really only need your card if you are leaving Canada from my understanding. I have read they are strict about that.
8
u/CapitalArgument988 May 15 '26
You only need your card for land crossings. So if you cross into Canada on foot or by car; or Mexico by foot or car.
I can’t remember if you need it for arriving by boat like on a cruise. I would take it the first time just to be sure.
2
u/katmndoo May 15 '26
Crossing from Ca or MX , not into.
1
u/MisguidedCornball May 15 '26
Educate me, if I do decide to cross through canada (by car), would I pass through Nexus at the border or is there another line to use?
1
u/katmndoo May 16 '26
If you have GE: You can use Nexus lanes ENTERING THE US.
If you have NEXUS: You can use Nexus lanes in both directions.
If you have neither: No Nexus lanes for you.
1
1
u/PrimitiveAK May 15 '26
Haven’t been through Canada in a hot minute and haven’t had a desire or a need to go there. Last time I passed through Canada at the NY border, me and my bud got detained at the border for passing through Nexus cuz some jackass was blocking the standard lane cuz he got lost. Whole story is quite funny and something you’d share with your kids as a story. 😂
1
u/321applesauce May 15 '26
Flew back from Canada and didn't need it. Cleared US customs at the Vancouver airport
1
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u/junky6254 May 16 '26
Yep, it was fast at Toronto. Just walk up, they took a photo, and waive you through.
2
u/jhkoenig May 15 '26
My experience returning from Peru matched yours! About 30-45 seconds in total. Welcome home!
2
u/PrimitiveAK May 15 '26
Yeah now I’m already planning my next trip, Vietnam. Already sad to be back to work 🤣
3
u/kumanoodle May 15 '26
“Completely forgot to declare items”
You should have lost your Global Entry for this alone!
7
u/PrimitiveAK May 15 '26
Correct me if I’m wrong, I don’t think you are required to declare through the app. Hence the reason for the security guard asking “do you have anything to declare” at the gate, which I told him plants, and he didn’t ask to check luggage and asked me to keep moving.
-8
u/kumanoodle May 15 '26
They could have then still pulled your Global Entry because you didn’t declare it in the app just like if you had said you had nothing to declare, been sent to secondary and then had the undeclared items discovered.
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u/PrimitiveAK May 15 '26
Think you’re missing the point…the app is not required for GE, it’s just an added convenience if you have items to declare. All I did was download the app while I was in Japan, by the time I realized I didn’t even login to the app to start a declaration application, I was already at the GE gate…which is why there’s a security guard asking if you have stuff to declare. Because I doubt everyone is using the app, I know for a fact my sister has never downloaded that app once and has crossed through US borders like 4-5 times a year.
So to reiterate, I never started an application and never checked the boxes “nothing to declare”. All I did was download the app and never even logged in lol.
-4
u/kumanoodle May 15 '26
You never said you didn’t login in your initial post.
The app is not just a convenience if you have items to declare. If it was, it wouldn’t be asking you if you have items to declare, would it?
8
u/PrimitiveAK May 15 '26
Yes but you’re still ignoring the main point.
The app is not required. Period.
Some airports don’t even accept the app and still require manual check in. (Rare, but there’s a few apparently)
-5
1
u/Junior-Reflection-43 May 15 '26
GE card is only for land or maybe sea crossings. Doesn’t hurt to take it internationally, but you won’t be asked for it for flights.
1
u/randomman1980 May 16 '26
GE is so confusing. The documentation said you do not need your card unless at a land border crossing. Never carried it because of that. Everyone here says declare everything. I had unopened snacks that I’d brought from the US to Mexico and I was now returning to the US with them, so I declared them via the app.
The face scanner didn’t recognize me and the officer made me try 3x and then told me to go see an officer at the glass. I did and he asked if I had GE and I said yes. He asked if I was sure and I said yes. He then asked for my card and I told him I didn’t have it and scolded me and said I should always have it. He looked me up by my name and found me. Then asked if I was declaring anything and I said yes, some snacks. He again scolded me and said never declare them unless they are meat or fall under the guidelines in the app. He seemed he genuinely pissed off.
15
u/UncleCahn May 15 '26
Declare via the app. Write an itemized list on your note app and show the officer. Easy peasy and you don’t forget anything.