Customs and International Trade Law Blog : International Trade Lawyer & Attorney : Becker & Poliakoff Law Firm : Customs Law, Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry program is a smashing success. I have been a member for a few years, and have personally experienced its principal benefit of rapidly and easily clearing Customs upon arrival in the United States.  Global Entry allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.   Applicants must first pass a comprehensive background investigation  Not everyone gets accepted, however, and for those people who have applied and been denied, there is an appeal process.

To apply, simply answer some questions on-line at www.globalentry.gov, then schedule an appointment at one of the many CBP enrollment centers. Bring with you a few required documents such as a passport, answer a few simple questions about your international travels, and you will soon be notified of your acceptance or disapproval into Global Entry.

If disapproved, you will be notified electronically and the CBP disapproval letter will be from "Supervisor, Global Entry Enrollment Center, U.S. Customs and Border Protection," located in Williston, Vermont.  A typical disapproval letter will say.

We regret to inform you that your membership in Global Entry has been disapproved for the following reason(s):

You have been found to have violated CBP laws, regulations, or other related laws.

CBP has never set forth any specific guidelines for disapproving an applicant except "other circumstances that indicate to CBP that you have not qualified as 'low risk' - whatever that means.  

Fortunately, there is an administrative appeal process which the applicant should pursue.  There is no court, no judge, no meeting with CBP, and not even any conversation with CBP as part of the appeal; it is all done by paper to the Vermont address.  You get one chance to do it right, so make sure your appeal is comprehensive and persuasive.

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Comments or questions, click below, or contact me directly.

Peter Quinter, Partner in Charge, Customs and International Trade Law Department

(954) 270-1864 or pquinter@becker-poliakoff.com

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Have you heard of the Global Entry program operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)?  If you are one of the 100,000 U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are members, then congratulations to you. If you are one of the millions of international travelers who do not like to wait in long lines at U.S. Customs when arriving at an airport in the United States after a long intercontinental flight, I have got a deal for you. 

Global Entry is a voluntary pilot program that streamlines the international arrivals process for pre-approved travelers through use of self-service kiosks located at 20 major U.S. airports.  For good reason, CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin described the Global Entry program as "excellent"  in a December 27, 2010 press release.

Applications to Global Entry first must be submitted online at www.globalentry.gov . It costs only $100 for a five year membership.  I completed the on-line application in about 5 minutes, and was notified by email the next day that I was conditionally approved. Applicants must then complete an interview and fingerprint data collection in person at any of the 20 airport sites.  I am scheduled to be interviewed on February 22, 2011 at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. 

Once enrolled in the pilot program, Global Entry members may proceed directly to the kiosks in the international arrivals area upon arrival in the U.S.  At the kiosk, members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen, and then present a transaction receipt to CBP officers before leaving the inspection area.

From what I have heard from fellow frequent international travelers who use Global Entry, and from my friends at CBP, joining Global Entry appears to be the right choice.  I'll keep you updated on my personal experience on Global Entry.

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Please click the word "Comments" below to share your own personal experiences.

Peter Quinter, Partner, Customs and International Trade Department

pquinter@becker-poliakoff.com or (954) 270-1864

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