>But given that she was carrying frog embryos and not something illegal
It was illegal not declaring she was carrying embryos. Wasn't that clear from the article?
It was illegal not declaring she was carrying embryos. Wasn't that clear from the article?
> Then, as she headed toward the baggage claim, a Border Patrol officer approached her and asked to search her suitcase. All she could think was that the embryo samples inside would be ruined; RNA degrades easily. She explained that she didn’t know the rules. The officer was polite, she recalled, and told her she would be allowed to leave.
I can't speak for Boston, but every American airport I've traveled through internationally has had you pick up bags at the baggage claim, then take it to customs. (After all, a bag search may be involved; you can't really declare something in your bag if you don't have your bag.) This timeline of events seems odd.
Immigration (can you enter) --> international baggage claim --> customs (can your stuff enter) --> transfer bag drop.
edit: Same setup for Boston, it seems?
https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/inter/airport/bos/info/
Immigration: "Customs declaration form - not required"
Then baggage claim, then...
Customs: "Please show your passport and customs declaration form. (Your customs declaration form will be collected here.) If you have any items to declare, please declare them to an official."
Not that you can reach that point without stating your declarations on the record. I think it was one of the kiosk stages.