We have been to Europe many times, and like Lauren mentioned above, I don't buy as much as I once did. We have the GOES card which simplifies reentry, and I always fill out the customs declaration form -- just in case the kiosk was not working, which has never happened to us.

If you are a Global Entry user then it is in your best interest to be 100% honest with your declaration just in case you randomly get flagged for an inspection.

You always declare EVERYTHING if you are over your limit. The duty is usually 10%. If you lie, you can get yourself in a monumental fix and it is not worth it. $800 per person is more than sufficient for me. I always wonder what people buy that results in duties being paid. When I had that shopping trip to Italy, I believe the limits were much lower. I usually have less than $400 in "stuff" in my luggage--never mind $800.

It's best to list each and every item of food that you are bringing back. Even saying chocolates will trigger an inspection by the Agricultural folks, and they are extremely thorough. At least one of your suitcases will be opened, and all will be put through special scanners. This can take time; so don't expect to whiz right through.

And yes, seeds can be confiscated.

Your best bet is to read carefully through the U. S. Customs web site before you leave to be sure there are no special alerts, such as for hoof and mouth or other animal diseases that can affect even things like clotted cream.

We list chocolates all the time and have never been asked to show them or had our bags opened (at JFK). the only time my bag was opened was about 15 years ago and it seemed completely random.

Sorry - I did have a client in Switz - so in the past 5 years at least 30 trips from there (or through LHR from there) always with chocs and never stopped.

I never bring in food. Sure, I would have loved one of those lovely hams from Spain on my last trip, but I was certainly not going to worry about confiscation once I returned. Better to forget about it if you are not sure.

I love those sniffer beagles. They can smell a brat or salami a mile away. Remember once going into Ireland from the UK we had to walk through disinfectant for mad cow. That had to have been 2000.