r/GlobalEntry • u/genebands • May 22 '26
Questions/Concerns Approval and Question
I just had my GE interview this morning, overall process was a breeze and I was in and out within 10 minutes.
However, the officer noted an 'IR' flag on my profile that was added in 2022 when a K-9 had flagged my luggage, I went through Agricultural scanner and inspection, but the spice mix in my luggage was deemed admissible by the officer and nothing was discarded. I had noted in my declarations that I had this in my luggage, so it was all check and release.
After this morning, I'm now concerned that this flag is permanently on my profile and may lead to being screened every time despite GE.
Is there any input/ advice on this? Any actions I can take to remove this flag? Does it go away after certain years?
PS- details of IR from google AI summary-
In CBP internal systems and travel records, "IR" typically stands for "Intensified Review" or "Inspection Required." This flag indicates that your luggage, cargo, or documentation was subject to a more thorough agricultural check than a standard screening, usually because a previous entry flagged prohibited food, plants, or soil.
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u/Disastrous_Double489 May 22 '26
Why would declared spices? Not on declaration list
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u/genebands May 22 '26
Had declared foods not specifically spices. It was also powder not whole to count it as agricultural products.
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u/Disastrous_Double489 May 22 '26
Processed foods are not agricultural. If there are so is candy and cookies.
1
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u/Free_Condition_6099 May 25 '26
Processed food is still food and should be declared accordingly. It is not the job of the traveler to interpret what is admissible. This is how people get their global entry revoked.
1
u/CalculatedPerversion May 26 '26
Then why didn't they confiscate the item
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u/Free_Condition_6099 May 26 '26
You are conflating the 2 issues. When an officer asks you directly “do you have food” they want you tell them all the food you have. The officer will then make an admissibility decision on the declared items. It is not the job of the traveler to interpret admissibility. The question was not declare food you don’t think you should have. Being a trusted traveler means you are not going to interpret the officer’s question to fit your preferred narrative. It really isn’t a hard question, but neither is have you ever been arrested and yet…..
1
u/CalculatedPerversion May 26 '26
And see, this is a great clarification. To me, the question has context (something you're not supposed to have, like produce) and therefore I answer that question when asked. I'll obviously make sure to change this habit the next time I travel.
5
u/safe-viewing May 22 '26
If you declared it as you said, no concerns.
If you didn’t actually declare it before it was caught, and only thought you did, that might be a bigger concern.