| | |
10-06-2016
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,182
Thanks: 101
Thanked 231 Times in 188 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 56% | | Customs Crackdown?
Anyone else noticed a larger portion of their imports being inspected by Customs recently? Both DHL and EMS/Parcelforce.
Its very very very rare anything I import gets checked, probably five times in three years, but in the past couple of weeks almost every parcel is getting checked, and its taken them a day and age to release them with their random 'we made this up' charges.
Nothing Branded/VERO but somewhat under declared of course, (like everyone else who sells on ebay and buys from China before the preachers start).
Never had a seizure, and always pay the duty and charges in advance with DHL, so curious if its a customs sweep they have going on? Seems to be a link, as both DHL and Parcelforce customs teams are stopping them, even one customs stop in china which has never happened before in my ten years of trading on ebay!
Last edited by wired; 10-06-2016 at 02:18 PM.
|
The complete step-by-step guide to get back to selling today!
| |
10-06-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,590
Thanks: 503
Thanked 1,484 Times in 1,192 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 91% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
not noticed it.
maybe the run up to xmas, or maybe they are looking for something right now due to intelligence tip..
|
10-06-2016
| | Senior Member
Threadstarter  
| | Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,182
Thanks: 101
Thanked 231 Times in 188 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 56% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by oompaloompa not noticed it.
maybe the run up to xmas, or maybe they are looking for something right now due to intelligence tip.. | Potentially, but it seems a bit random that this one address keeps getting tugged. We are on a severe terror threat alert, but China isn't on the 'danger' list so to speak
|
10-06-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,302
Thanks: 1,110
Thanked 4,934 Times in 3,399 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 79% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
A lot of phakes being imported.....
|
10-06-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 20,093
Thanks: 2,430
Thanked 5,199 Times in 3,996 Posts
Activity: 28% Longevity: 63% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
They do target addresses that they have on a 'watch list' although I have not idea what they actually call it. If a package gets stopped on route to 1 address and they find something wrong that house seems to get flagged and a larger % of packages to that address get stopped
|
10-06-2016
| | Senior Member
Threadstarter  
| | Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,182
Thanks: 101
Thanked 231 Times in 188 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 56% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesNorth101 They do target addresses that they have on a 'watch list' although I have not idea what they actually call it. If a package gets stopped on route to 1 address and they find something wrong that house seems to get flagged and a larger % of packages to that address get stopped | Yes true - but I've never had a seizure and never imported phakeys, but they have stopped a couple of parcels recently and whacked on some insane charges that outweigh the value - but thats always been a customs thing hasn't it?
..maybe the 'watch' list is triggered for the multiple lower value shipments, but I cant see it myself, how would they know how much say ten metal bars would cost?
|
10-06-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 10,834
Thanks: 2,079
Thanked 4,025 Times in 3,012 Posts
Activity: 4% Longevity: 49% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by wired how would they know how much say ten metal bars would cost? | Fairly easy to calculate the cost of bullion, haha. Even if you aren't talking about a precious metal it's still pretty easy to appraise a shipment of any type of metal.
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to point that out.
__________________ ____________ _______ ___ |
10-06-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 20,093
Thanks: 2,430
Thanked 5,199 Times in 3,996 Posts
Activity: 28% Longevity: 63% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
It could be that because they caught a few items coming in under declared you got you address flagged
They do have a massive list of how much thing costs. Even if they cannot find out said item on said list then they do have access to the internet and they can work it out.
It is also just that time of year. They take on more staff around this time of year which leads to them clamping down a bit more as they have the resources to do so.
|
10-07-2016
| | Senior Member
Threadstarter  
| | Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,182
Thanks: 101
Thanked 231 Times in 188 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 56% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesNorth101 It could be that because they caught a few items coming in under declared you got you address flagged
They do have a massive list of how much thing costs. Even if they cannot find out said item on said list then they do have access to the internet and they can work it out.
It is also just that time of year. They take on more staff around this time of year which leads to them clamping down a bit more as they have the resources to do so. | Yes this is probably it....however none of my shipments have ever been opened, even the ones released from customs with additional charges. I guess we can never understand how customs works, afterall they are just a money maker for the government and Parcelforce with their 'handling' charge.
New address time it seems for moi.
|
10-07-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 20,093
Thanks: 2,430
Thanked 5,199 Times in 3,996 Posts
Activity: 28% Longevity: 63% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
Packages don't have to be opened to see what is inside
They scan things and most the time it's pretty easy to work out what is in the package and add the charges
|
10-07-2016
| | Senior Member
Threadstarter  
| | Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,182
Thanks: 101
Thanked 231 Times in 188 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 56% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesNorth101 Packages don't have to be opened to see what is inside
They scan things and most the time it's pretty easy to work out what is in the package and add the charges | That would be close to impossible with my gear |
10-08-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 3,323
Thanks: 482
Thanked 621 Times in 556 Posts
Activity: 26% Longevity: 54% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by wired That would be close to impossible with my gear | All the shipments clear automatically
If they dispute over your invoice (undervalue) and if it's too low then they open one carton to workout the price, its not hard to work out the price
If they belive it's not right they will seize the goods and make take this matter further
|
10-09-2016
| | Senior Member
Threadstarter  
| | Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,182
Thanks: 101
Thanked 231 Times in 188 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 56% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by e2free All the shipments clear automatically
If they dispute over your invoice (undervalue) and if it's too low then they open one carton to workout the price, its not hard to work out the price
If they belive it's not right they will seize the goods and make take this matter further | I don't think this is very accurate, they rarely seize goods if the paperwork they feel is inaccurrate. They generally just add on their own make believe charges based on weight or write to you asking for the original payment invoice to clarify declared values, which are easy to fudge.
As I've said, I've never had a box opened.
I only import in small quantities to avoid any of this bother.
|
10-09-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 76,088
Thanks: 5,945
Thanked 8,937 Times in 8,228 Posts
Activity: 100% Longevity: 83% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by wired
I only import in small quantities to avoid any of this bother. | Sure seems to be one way
|
10-09-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 3,323
Thanks: 482
Thanked 621 Times in 556 Posts
Activity: 26% Longevity: 54% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by wired I don't think this is very accurate, they rarely seize goods if the paperwork they feel is inaccurrate. They generally just add on their own make believe charges based on weight or write to you asking for the original payment invoice to clarify declared values, which are easy to fudge.
As I've said, I've never had a box opened.
I only import in small quantities to avoid any of this bother. | not agree,
yes the first step they will ask you to provide Invoice
let say you written custom value 600usd and goods worth over 3000usd
now off couse you need to provide same invoice which is 600usd but here you have time to say this is the right invoice for 300usd as error can be made from shipper side since this was written by shipper
but once you confirmed its 600usd then they will review it and check the goods its really 600usd if they cant work it out then they normally seize the goods
and u will get letter from hmrc where u will given option to appeal
|
10-09-2016
| | Senior Member
Threadstarter  
| | Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,182
Thanks: 101
Thanked 231 Times in 188 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 56% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by e2free not agree,
yes the first step they will ask you to provide Invoice
let say you written custom value 600usd and goods worth over 3000usd
now off couse you need to provide same invoice which is 600usd but here you have time to say this is the right invoice for 300usd as error can be made from shipper side since this was written by shipper
but once you confirmed its 600usd then they will review it and check the goods its really 600usd if they cant work it out then they normally seize the goods
and u will get letter from hmrc where u will given option to appeal | Don't agree at all, and there is no way for them to check how much a ball of alloy is really.
Hey ho, we are all speculating based on on our personal experiences anyway, my question was merely to see if there was a pattern emerging with customs at the moment.
|
12-08-2016
| Junior Member | | Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 8
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 42% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
Hey guys, new here and trying to get some of your knowledge.
Recently purchased 50 Yeti cups from China (Alibaba). The seller shipped using FedEx.
On 11/27 it was marked arrived in Memphis,TN with "package marked for clearance".
It was suppose to arrived Dec 1st according to FedEx. I called them and they said it held by customs. I call customs in Memphis but he said there's nothing he can do and didn't even ask for tracking number. Am I out my goods or is there still a shot of receiving them?
I've ordered merchandise through China twice before and have used DHL with no issue. First time experiencing something like this.
|
12-09-2016
| | Senior Member
Threadstarter  
| | Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,182
Thanks: 101
Thanked 231 Times in 188 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 56% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbwood003 Hey guys, new here and trying to get some of your knowledge.
Recently purchased 50 Yeti cups from China (Alibaba). The seller shipped using FedEx.
On 11/27 it was marked arrived in Memphis,TN with "package marked for clearance".
It was suppose to arrived Dec 1st according to FedEx. I called them and they said it held by customs. I call customs in Memphis but he said there's nothing he can do and didn't even ask for tracking number. Am I out my goods or is there still a shot of receiving them?
I've ordered merchandise through China twice before and have used DHL with no issue. First time experiencing something like this. | Fedex are awful with stopping packages.
DHL are the best.
Dont use Fedex.
You may or may not see your parcel. you may or may not have a customs charge to pay. you may or may not have the FEDS arrive at your house with a taser and shotgun beating down your door and arresting you in your underpants.
| The Following User Says Thank You to wired For This Useful Post: | |
12-10-2016
| MU | | Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 286
Thanks: 7
Thanked 33 Times in 29 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 45% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
Fedex is a fukn joke
|
12-11-2016
| Junior Member | | Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 10
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Activity: 0% Longevity: 52% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
I just had big shipment from Denmark, and ALL of parcels have been opened and checked, wierd, never happend before...
|
12-12-2016
| | Executive [VIP] | | Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 3,323
Thanks: 482
Thanked 621 Times in 556 Posts
Activity: 26% Longevity: 54% | | Re: Customs Crackdown? Quote:
Originally Posted by Door_ I just had big shipment from Denmark, and ALL of parcels have been opened and checked, wierd, never happend before... | Who opened these parcels uk Border force? It's normal at this time of year
|
12-14-2016
| Junior Member | | Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 8
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Activity: 0% Longevity: 42% | | Re: Customs Crackdown?
Update: it appears Customs opened up the package as I only received part of the shipment. It had been repackaged and had customs tape. I assume the Yeti cups did not have proper paperwork and the items were seized. Waiting on a letter for confirmations.
|
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |