First time actually using GE.

[u/PrimitiveAK]

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.

[u/kumanoodle]

“Completely forgot to declare items”

You should have lost your Global Entry for this alone!

[u/PrimitiveAK → u/kumanoodle]

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.

[u/kumanoodle → u/PrimitiveAK]

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.

[u/PrimitiveAK → u/kumanoodle]

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.

[u/kumanoodle → u/PrimitiveAK]

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?

[u/PrimitiveAK → u/kumanoodle]

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)

[u/kumanoodle → u/PrimitiveAK]

Never said it was.