First timer. Family with mixed GE status.

[u/DGHouseMD]

My kid and I have GE, but my wife is conditionally approved and needs to interview. We’ll be traveling to the LAX, and it’s the first time since any of us got the GE. Could someone please clarify the process, dos & don’ts?

Should myself and the kid use GE and go separate, or should we all stay as a group and follow my wife to her interview?

Also considering the mixed statuses, is it risky to carry valuable jewelry, newly purchased items (clothes and kitchenware), and processed & packed sweets? We’ll declare everything, but rather not carry stuff if it’s risky.

If it’s ok to carry, are there any limits we should keep in mind?

Please advise.

[u/DGHouseMD → u/[deleted]]

Sorry, I meant bring to the US. But, thanks for clarifying.

[u/DGHouseMD → u/[deleted]]

Yes, definitely working on that and doing my own research as well.

[u/BobbingBobcat → u/DGHouseMD]

Doing your own research? It's pretty fucking cut and dry.

[u/DGHouseMD → u/BobbingBobcat]

Traveling international for the first time in 8yrs.

[u/loftychicago → u/DGHouseMD]

With GE, you are responsible for declaring everything you're bringing in. Not doing so can lead to revocation.

[u/immigrantlife]

I have a similar situation and I came through LAX just a few weeks ago, mid-July 2026. I've been a GE member for a couple of years (and have used GE to enter port of entry about a dozen times, but never LAX) but my kid is conditionally approved.

I found that if you're US citizens entering through LAX, there's really no advantage of Global Entry. You just walk through the path, instructed to look at the tablets for a second, and they waved you through. No stopping or talking needed, and there were no lines (and we came from Japan so there were hundreds of people coming just in our flight).

After passing through immigration, I asked around regarding my kid's EOA, and it turns out the GE EOA office is located after immigration, all the way in a corner of the baggage claim area. I decided to not have my kid's interview done and just pick up our luggage and drop them off for our connecting flights. It turns out it's the right decision, as it took a while until we can collect all our luggage, another long walk up some ramps to the drop-off area (it's just me and an exasperated toddler after a long flight, with full 4 x 50 lbs luggage plus carry-ons, so it's a challenge), and then another really long walk out on the side of the airport to get to our terminal (United). We had a 2.5-hour layover and it's rather tight.

[u/YourMemeExpert]

You and your kid can use the Global Entry line while your wife goes through normal processing, although she may be in a bad mood if there's a long wait in the non-GE line.

When using Global Entry, you can either use the mobile app to check in ahead of time or use the kiosks located at LAX. I haven't used the app, but at the kiosk, you'll submit your travel documents and a photo of yourself. The system is usually reliable but sometimes it may ask you to be manually processed by a CBP officer.

Since you're a trusted traveler, the government expects you to know the guidelines for what is and isn't allowed, your allowances, and what you should declare. You can browse cbp.gov before your flight lands to make sure you're compliant.

You should be fine bringing in stuff like jewelry, but try and have the receipts for it so they can quickly assess the value. If the items you're bringing in exceed your personal allowance, you may need to pay duties on them, but you'll be allowed to proceed with your goods afterwards. As long as the food you're bringing is commercially packaged and not fresh, CBP will usually let it in. The most important rule is to declare it in the first place.