Source:
https://scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/2142849/woman-pays-us500-taking-free-apple-delta-air-line
World/ United States & Canada

Woman fined US$500 for taking free apple from Delta flight through customs

After a US$500 fine for an apple, passenger Crystal Tadlock says Delta should have warned her not to take the fruit off the plane. Photo: Bloomberg

US customs charged a Delta passenger US$500 for an apple the airline gave out as a free snack on a flight from France.  

Crystal Tadlock was given an apple sealed in a wrapper on her flight from Paris on Wednesday. She was not hungry at the time and figured it would be a good snack for her second leg back to Denver, she told a local media station in Colorado.

Tadlock likely passed by numerous signs and alerts from customs warning of items that must be declared at her port of entry in Minneapolis. This includes fresh fruit, Customs and Border Patrol says.

Crystal Tadlock points to the US$500 fine for an apple Delta gave her on the flight as well as the sealed packaging the fruit was in. Photo: KDVR-TV
Crystal Tadlock points to the US$500 fine for an apple Delta gave her on the flight as well as the sealed packaging the fruit was in. Photo: KDVR-TV

A random search brought Tadlock in contact with a customs agent who found the contraband apple.

“He had asked me if my trip to France was expensive and I said, ‘yeah.’ I didn’t really get why he was asking that question, and then he said ‘It’s about to get a lot more expensive after I charge you US$500,’” Tadlock told the news station. 

She was then issued a US$500 citation and had her global entry status revoked, she said.

The status is earned through a screening process and allows expedited clearance for international travellers.

Tadlock, who lives in the Denver suburb of Arvada, could not be reached for comment. It was not immediately clear when the incident occurred.

Delta would not comment publicly about Tadlock’s case, but in a statement provided by spokesman Michael Thomas, the airline said it encourages its customers to “adhere to Customs and Border Protection policies and requirements.”

In a statement, CBP declined to speak about the case details or any specific inspection, citing privacy policies. However, agency spokesman Steven Bansbach said “all agriculture items must be declared.”

Tadlock told Fox 31 she was frustrated with the ordeal and pointed to the Delta logo on the wrapper, showing the fruit came from the airline.

“It’s really unfortunate someone has to go through that and be treated like a criminal over a piece of fruit,” Tadlock said.

An official with Delta told The Washington Post that food provided on the airplane “is given with intention you consume it on board.”

The official said there are no expectations this will lead to adjustments or reviews of perishable food items given to passengers.

Despite the apparent violation, Tadlock told the station she would fight to have the fine overturned.