Not long ago there were reports that since 2024, there has been an influx of travelers who had had their Global Entry revoked. From visaverge.com:
According to internal tallies shared with industry observers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revoked 17,281 Global Entry memberships in 2024, a 47% increase from the previous year. The trend has carried into 2025, with travel forums and trusted‑traveler groups filling up with posts from people who say they had clean records, long travel histories, and no warning before their status disappeared.
Of course, DHS keeps tabs on those with Global Entry status, even when they’re not traveling. But there are plenty of small things a traveler could do that could have them wind up losing their Global Entry status and not really know why, simply because the infraction was so tiny and not something you’d automatically associate with losing your Global Entry.
Over on Reddit, a user named AdamRoosevelt1, who said they were a “former DHS contractor” offered a list of “Tips on Keeping Global Entry & TT (Trusted Traveler) Access“. They also said they were “happy to answer any questions.”
(Of course, Reddit allows a person to be anonymous, so it’s possible this person was not, or never had been a former DHS contractor. That being said, everything in their replies on Reddit, even before this thread, would suggest that they know their stuff. Also, if you Google the name “Adam Roosevelt,” you get multiple hits that back up what they were saying on Reddit. As the good blog says, Your Mileage May Vary, but I think they’re the real deal.)
The list
Anyway, here’s their list, with our explanation:
Report purchases
Of course, yes, you do get an $800 exemption but still, this is about following the rules. If you’re supposed to declare everything and they discover you didn’t, your Trusted Traveler status could go down the drain because (wait for it) you just proved to them, with that bottle of perfume you just bought in France and didn’t tell the DHS person about, that they can’t trust you.
Ordering Cuban cigars online will earn you a revocation
At this time, Americans are not allowed to purchase Cuban cigars and import them into the United States. That includes bringing them home from Cuba, or buying them online. The prohibition stems from the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba that’s been in place since 1962.
To be fair, in January 2015, President Obama eased the restrictions on Cuban tobacco (and alcohol) products by allowing American travelers to return from the island with up to $100 worth of those products (*cough* And, in March 2016, we did, LOL. That’s why/how we have a bottle of Havana Club *cough*). However the rules for cigars went back into effect in September 2020, under the Trump administration.
But nowadays? Buy a Cuban cigar online and have it sent to your house in the U.S., and you can probably kiss your Global Entry goodbye.
Purchasing agriculture items tied to drug plants will get you revoked
The U.S. government is clear that U.S. travelers should refrain from bringing any plants, seeds, or soil in the country without the appropriate permits. That includes the pot you bought in Amsterdam.
Also, fun fact: In general, anything food or food related needs to be declared, and some (like fresh fruit, meat, etc) should not be brought in at all. More info here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products
Purchasing chicken extract overseas and attempting to carry it back into the United States might end in revocation if you don’t disclose it
This was an interesting one. Depending on what country it’s from, chicken extract may be seen as a potential agricultural risk because of potential diseases chickens in other countries might have. So declare it; if it’s OK, they’ll let you know. If it’s not, they’ll take it away from you but at least you’ll get to keep your Global Entry (because you followed the rules by declaring it.)
Always carry receipts when traveling
Going back to that French perfume, when you declare it, they’ll want to know its value. If you don’t have your receipts and they don’t necessarily believe your purchases are under $800 (because, hello, French perfume), your Global Entry, once again, could be in jeopardy.
Never answer questions too quickly – ask for a moment to calculate
They didn’t really explain this one. I’m going to assume that if you answer questions quickly, you make yourself look as if you had practiced having “the right answers.” Give yourself a moment or two to look like you’re thinking about your answer.
Be prepared for inspections and always remain compliant
Anytime we buy stuff overseas, we know where it is in our bags. That way we can either pull it out or explain where it is in our bags. We also always have all our receipts organized and at the ready. And whatever DHS may ask us to do, you bet we’re going to say “Yes sir/ma’am” and do it. In that kind of situation, they’re the boss, not me.
Other topics mentioned, but in less detail, include:
- You should be safe ordering from Alibaba, Temu, etc. EXCEPT if it’s counterfeit. Don’t order counterfeits from anywhere. Or chemicals. Or food.
- You won’t necessarily lose your GE by traveling to Russia, but they take several things into consideration, including travel pattern, reason for traveling there, who you’re traveling with, etc.
What if your Global Entry is revoked?
AdamRoosevelt1 did have one bit of advice if your GE is revoked. If that happens, you do get one chance – and only one chance – to appeal. You want that appeal to be GOOD. They suggest a professional write it.
“Why should you not appeal yourself?” says AdamRoosevelt1:
Likely to write an argument based on emotion. Most travelers have no idea the impact of a revocation and would you appeal anything without a professional that’s tied to the most important attribute in your life? Travel.
There’s a lot of fear tied to the experience so if you want to present the base case for yourself hire a professional.
I’ve seen cases appeal with one paragraph. Pure emotion. That certainly is not adequate and this should be viewed from the lense of National Security. The program is in fact an embodiment of that.
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