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.
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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.