STERLING, Va. — When traveling back to the U.S. from another country, you are required to report all items you bought while visiting.
After an expensive trip to France, a couple from Maryland brought back nearly $100,000 in designer items including Chanel purses. The two were Global Entry trusted travel members. According to the Customs and Border Protection website, they are allowed quicker clearance upon arriving in the United States.
When the Maryland couple reached customs, they checked in at a kiosk but were eventually questioned by a CBP officer. That officer asked them about their purchases overseas. The couple originally said nothing, but a second officer asked about their Chanel bag. The couple then told the officers they made purchases between $300 and $900.
CBP officers eventually found 41 more new designer items. Eventually, the couple shared their receipts showing they spent a total of $96,871 on their items. To keep those purchases, the couple had to pay another $27,289 in fees and penalties.
CBP is in the process of taking away their Global Entry memberships.
