United States

Customs Fines Airline Passenger $500 Over Free In-Flight Apple

Customs declaration forms ask passengers if they are bringing any fruits or vegetables into the country

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has fined a woman $500 for not declaring she was bringing a free apple into the U.S. that she received on her Delta Air Lines flight from Paris.

Crystal Tadlock tells KDVR-TV in Denver that flight attendants had passed out the apples and she placed it in her carry-on to save for her flight from Minneapolis to Denver. Her bag was randomly searched by Customs.

"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 $500,'" Tadlock told the station.

Delta says it recommends all passengers comply with Customs regulations.

Customs declaration forms ask passengers if they are bringing any fruits or vegetables into the country.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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