What one traveler innocently threw into her bag then caused a surprisingly serious issue with airport customs.
Bringing your own food on a plane? Influencer was eyeing $800 fine after packing this carry-on food item
Dina, a travel influencer from North Carolina with Global Entry status, found herself nearly $800 poorer – and temporarily detained – because of what she packed in her carry-on. Returning from a trip to Amsterdam, she was waiting at baggage claim when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer approached her, led by a very determined sniffer dog.
“Do you have any food on you?” the officer asked.
That’s when it hit her. “Shoot … I forgot I had something on me,” Dina (disoverwithdina) said in a TikTok that’s racked up almost a million views at the time of writing.
Watch out what food you bring back
Authorities pulled her aside, took her passport, and rifled through her bags. The cause of the commotion? An undeclared apple.
Yes, an apple. One innocent, red apple.
That snack could have cost her up to $800 in fines: $300 for not declaring the item, and another $500 for violating Global Entry rules. Had she lied about it, she might have lost her fast-track privileges altogether.
@discoverwithdina DON’T make this mistake! “I could fine you $500 right now and revoke your global entry” I was standing there waiting for my luggage and a Customs & Border Control Officer came up to me, saying the K9 is smelling food and asking me if I had anything. Shoot… I forgot I had an apple on me from Amsterdam that I was supposed to declare at customs. They took my passport and went through all my bags. He said if I had lied about the Apple, I would’ve gotten a $300 fine. Then I could’ve gotten another $500 fine for actually having the apple and Global Entry because you’re held to a higher standard. Be sure to declare these upon arrival: - Purchases over $800 - Cash including travelers checks over $10,000 - ALL food, plants, and animal products. - Check the full restricted/ prohibited items list to be safe at [cbp.gov](http://cbp.gov/) When in doubt, declare it to avoid fines and confiscation. Thankfully I was given a warning because this is my first offense but this was a reminder to take it seriously. I genuinely forgot about the apple and declaring it wasn’t top of mind since they stopped having you fill out those forms on the plane. I also didn’t know you are supposed to declare all food, even if it’s processed. Don’t forget this next time you fly internationally & share with a friend ✈️ #globalentry #travelers #travelersoftiktok #cbp #traveltip
♬ DIM - Yves
U.S. rules are strict: any agricultural product from abroad must be declared, including fruit, meat, seeds, and even flowers. The USDA warns such items can harbor pests and diseases harmful to American crops. She also highlights purchases over $800 and cash, including travelers checks, over $10,000.
Dina escaped with a warning, something she passes on to her followers.
“Declare everything,” she says. “Even the healthy stuff.”
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