PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Global Entry trusted traveler lost her membership status after attempting to evade customs declarations at Philadelphia International Airport earlier this month. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered the traveler failed to declare merchandise purchased overseas valued at more than $183,000.
The traveler, who had recently visited Paris, initially declared that she purchased nothing during her trip. Upon further questioning and a secondary inspection by CBP officers, she eventually claimed to have purchased $66,000 worth of goods. However, when pressed to calculate all receipts, she reported spending 136,612 Euros ($158,307 USD). CBP officers then presented a Value Added Tax receipt from France confirming total purchases of 158,200 Euros ($183,065 USD).
The undeclared items included high-value jewelry such as two Cartier diamond “Love” pavé gold bracelets and two Santos de Cartier necklaces.
CBP assessed more than $10,000 in duties on the merchandise and initiated the revocation of the traveler’s Global Entry status for violating the terms of the trusted traveler program.
“Customs and Border Protection places a significant measure of trust in Global Entry members, and trusted traveler status cannot be used as a license to deliberately violate our nation’s laws,” said Cleatus P. Hunt, Jr., CBP’s Area Port Director in Philadelphia. “Trusted traveler programs are a cornerstone to our border security mission of facilitating lawful travel and trade, so ensuring the integrity of these programs and holding violators accountable remains of paramount concern to us.”
Travelers entering the United States are permitted a personal duty exemption of $800 for overseas purchases, with any amount over the exemption subject to duties. CBP emphasized the importance of compliance with U.S. customs laws to maintain the integrity of trusted traveler programs.
CBP, the nation’s second-largest revenue-generating agency behind the IRS, collected over $88 billion in duties, taxes, and fees on imports in fiscal year 2024. Revenues for fiscal year 2025 are projected to exceed last year’s totals.
The Global Entry program, designed to expedite processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers, requires compliance with all U.S. laws. Members can still be subject to random inspections to verify adherence. CBP urges all travelers to familiarize themselves with customs regulations before traveling to avoid penalties or violations.
CBP’s border security operations, conducted at ports of entry, are critical to safeguarding the nation by intercepting illicit items such as narcotics, unreported currency, and counterfeit goods while facilitating lawful commerce and travel.
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