A plane passenger suffered a near-miss after almost being fined $800 over an easy mistake we could all fall victim to at the airport.
While traveling is an extremely enjoyable experience, there's no doubt that it comes with a lot of stresses. I mean, there's so much to remember, right?
The constant double checking of the passport on the way to the airport, and making sure your baggage is the correct weight - just to name a few.
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However, while these won't end up in a hefty fine, finding a surprise item in your hand luggage - prohibited or not - is certainly one way to get one.
The latter is something that TikToker Discovering with Dina knowns all about after she faced the prospect of a fine at the airport due to missing at crucial step at customs, which led her to be stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
"She doesn’t know it yet but a K9 is about to walk up to her and smell the apple that she forgot to declare in customs causing her to almost get fined $500 and get Global Entry revoked," Dina wrote over the clip.
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In her caption, she explained more of the situation, adding: "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."
Dina went on to claim that her passport was confiscated following the incident, while her bags were also checked by airport officials.
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She wrote that a customs agent supposedly told her: "I could fine you $500 right now and revoke your global entry."
The apple could have also cost Dina a $300 fine, and she could have received 'another $500 fine for actually having the apple and Global Entry'.
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She went on: "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."
According to the U.S Customs and Border Control, items not declared by passengers are 'confiscated and disposed of by CBP agriculture specialists' where they are 'suspect to inspection' to ensure they are 'found free of pests'.
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The penalty for not declaring at customs can range up to $1,000 per first-time offence.
When it comes to fruit and vegetables, their website continues: "Depending on the country of origin, some fruits, vegetables, and plants may be brought into the United States without advance permission, provided they are declared, inspected, and found free of pests."
Many flocked to the comments section of the viral TikTok video recalling similar events that had occurred to them at customs.
"Just lost global entry and $500 over a plum that was completely unintentional," one person commented, while a second added: "One time they got mad at me for not declaring the Mentos I got in Germany."
Callum Jones