CBP $5k SENTRI Fines: A Common Mistake Made

Quite a few people I have spoken to after being fined $5k by CBP at the San Ysidro or Calexico ports of entry have said that they are waiting to receive something in the mail from CBP.  This is a big misunderstanding...

When this incident occurs, CBP always gives the traveler CBP Form 5955A, Election of Proceedings, the Payment Instructions, and the receipt for any full or partial payment paid for the $5k fine.  If you have this documentation, you have all of your documentation.  The important point to note is that your 60-day deadline to file a Petition for Remission of that fine begins that day.  

For some reason, some individuals are under the impression that CBP will send them something else in the mail.  Those individuals then sit around waiting for this supposed mailing to arrive.  They also do not file a Petition for Remission within the 60-day deadline, I suppose because they think something will arrive in the mail.  By the way, after the 60-day period, you will receive something in the mail.  That will be a delinquency notice.

If you do not contest the fine within 60 days after the event you will be liable for the entire $5k fine.  

Feel free to contact this office.  I have filed Petitions for Remission and had good results in reducing the fines.