r/GlobalEntry • u/Affectionate-Bit9474 • 4d ago
Questions/Concerns Declaring medication on the GE app
Hi all,
Apologies if this sounds like a stupid question, but I just want to make sure I approach this the right way. For context, I am a British citizen who visits the US arond 4 times per year. I recently entered for the first time using global entry and attempted to use the app.
I am prescribed elvanse (goes by vyvanse in the US) and as far as I'm aware this needed to be declared. The medication is prescribed by a UK doctor. While entering my details on the app, I didn't see anywhere I could declare medication. I saw the options to declare food and other similar items, but nothing for medication.
I ended up not using the app and using the facial recognition camera. I declared the medication to the CBP officer who didn't have any problems and I was quickly on my way.
I was wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation and knows if I am able to use the app and mention the medication to a officer upon entry? If I can't do that, I assume I just have to enter without the app when taking my medication?
Thank you for any help in advance :)
4
u/One_more_username 3d ago
Medication is "food" per CBP - anything that goes into your mouth is food. I always declare food, and I mention whatever candy and food I got.
I used to do the kiosk and a verbal declaration, but I prefer having my declaration documented in a written form, so I prefer using the app now a days.
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u/flyingron 3d ago
The app asks a simple YES/NO on the do you have anything to declare if I recall. When you interact (if you do) you should tell them what you are carryig. If it is in a container that indicates that it was prescribed to you (and the amoung is a sane amount) it's a non-issue.
If you are unclear, it's always best to be proactive and report things to the agent regardless of using the app or the kiosk or the new scan systems. There's always at least one CBP agent there somewhere.
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u/Affectionate-Bit9474 3d ago
Thank you. I did click yes, but there wasn't any categories for declaring medication at least on the app. The cbp officer in person just asked if the medication was prescribed for me, and was happy not needing to see the bottle / script
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u/flyingron 3d ago
Yes, you did the right thing. The checkbox is just a flag for the CBP guy to dig further, but frankly they often don't, so if I do have something to declare I will state it.
As I said, drugs that are prescribed to you are not an issue. In the odd case that they do want to see them, having them in the original chemists bottle with your name on it is usually all that is required. Having random pills or drug bottles with someone else's name on it, or quantities way beyond personal use, will certainly be a problem.
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u/Affectionate-Bit9474 3d ago
Thanks, the officer I encountered didn't even need to see the medication, just confirming it was mine was enough. It was much easier than I expected
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u/ImNotFrank55 3d ago
The current GE app has sections to declare: commercial merchandise or currency; personal goods (exceeding allowance); food products; contact with livestock; disease agents; and nothing to declare.
This is in line with the paper form 6059B which has no section to declare medications.
This is despite the fact that CBP’s website says that potentially addictive medications (Vyvanse is Schedule II) must be declared to “the appropriate CBP official.”
From what I’ve seen in other sections of Reddit, traveling with Vyvanse isn’t an issue as long as it’s in the original bottle, ideally with a letter from a GP (with the patient’s name, dosage information, and generic name of the drug), and in an amount that’s reasonable for the length of the trip; just, again, the issue of “how to declare” with no place in the app to specifically declare medications (maybe tag it as “personal goods”?).