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DHL - shipment on hold with customs
 

i haven't bought anything from china, so i don't really know the proper time to clear customs. The item was shipped to me via DHL from china, it arrvived in California about 14 days ago and status on website hasn't changed since. it is still stuck on shipment on hold....does anyone have any experience?

i contacted the seller and they said they really couldn't do anything about it, and told me if i don't get the item they will only refund half of the cost!!
i paid $1800 so my refund will only be $900....that's really not fair, i paid by american express through paypal. should i file a dispute with paypal or american express?

#1) I personally would not pay anyone in china that much money upfront for anything, #2) They say you should go EMS from China as fees are pretty high with other shippers, #3) I have had packages take as long as 3 weeks but have anyways had my packages arrive, however I use EMS only.

Hope this helps.

i don't know why they use DHL.....i thought DHL doesnt do domestic? i know they do international, so will DHL deliver to me or do they contract with another carrier once it reaches usa

in my experiences with shipping from China via DHL (only twice) once it hit customs, it was out the next day. Anything in customs longer than two weeks via any carrier you can consider it government property, at least in my experiences. I've had customs take only one of my packages, and they send you a notice if you wish to appeal.

If you paid via PayPal, file a dispute, that should scare the seller enough to have them (or force them) to refund the entire amount.

DHL deliver to nominated address in most cases. They may subcontract a domestic shipment but it is still a DHL transaction.
Double check with DHL to see if they can give you an update. 'Sitting in customs' is problematic. Much depends on the items...some items are 'hot'.
Options: no delivery, no co-operation from seller, advise seller you are filing dispute with paypal. See what happens. Review situation after both DHL & seller reply. You still have options.

Definitely contact DHL and see what they say. They can answer your questions about shipping better than any of us. Some of us can advise you on what to do after we know what DHL says to better serve you. Try not to file a dispute if you don't have to because it ends up being bad for the seller. We know how well sellers are treated ;)

how long before you receive the letter? also is appealing effective?

Much will depend on the items. One of the other users here waited 29 days for the parcel to come thro' LAX customs (after he'd given up hope it landed). Check with DHL to see if they can help.

item was cds....

:eek: By China did you mean Mainland China or Hong Kong? Get onto DHL now. Sometimes cds are held because US Customs think they are pirated copies. Get the ball rolling for recovery of your goods.

what happened in the case where mine was seized was about 2 weeks after coming "Into Customs" i checked the tracking number and it said it said Outbound, so i was like "alright, maybe it just got lost or something" about another week past and nothing, then about 2 weeks after the Outbound update I received a letter in the mail from US Customs and Border Security stating some crap in an obscene language that only lawyers talk. All I took from it is that I could appeal and go before a Judge and try and get the TM Holder to release the items to me along with paying a 5,000 fee. OR I could let Customs dispose of it. So i never saw the package. I just got the seller to resend, and didnt get stopped by customs the 2nd time.

paying a $5000 fee?? ?what for?
was it shipped by ems or dhl? what were the item?

It was an EMS shipment, they make the fee so outstanding to deter you from disputing the seizure. It was generic electronics (although the letter claimed they violated TM rights of the iPhone and G1). They just went on a power trip and took em. No problem to me, because my seller was very understanding and sent more, shipped more and somehow got them into NY customs instead of San Fran, and it went right thru in a day.

If you dont get the items ,then DISPUTE the charges, the seller normally has to provide proof of delivery just like paypal requires and if not they will normally side in your favor.

Never do a dispute through paypal always go through your credit card company. Paypal will try to screw you sometimes but your card never will. Their pretty right govt property is a 90 percent bet. Chinese people are very tricky they will writhe hazardous on the box or something to flag the box the tell you sorry about your bad luck but they knew it was going to happen the whole time.

Yes, i am referring to your credit card company .

I am in the UK and our customs are real picky for anything non EU. I import a lot of stuff from the USA and about 1 in 2 lands in customs. I have the direct number for customs at the airport so if they are there for more than 24 hours I phone and enquire politely if they know how much longer they are going to hold it. Usually the delay is just staff shortage and its then cleared in 12 hours or so. None of my items has been held more than 3 days and 24 hours is more usual.

You should also phone DHL - I have found them quite useful in locating my package and getting it moving. They have specialist staff to deal with customs but you do need to be proactive and get in touch. I dont see it would be so different in the USA.

Having said that most of my stuff is "vintage" so they are not so interested in it and never actually had anything opened.

Maybe this will help.....I import from China on a very regular, high volume basis....my supplier strictly uses DHL.....the Customs state it goes thru is Wilmington, OH rather than the New York Hub that EMS uses....which is WAY stricter.

I have been importing for 2 years now and have encountered very little issues BUT I have had packages held and it is not necessarily a "destroy or seizure" issue. It can be very simple....such as DHL has not sent to them the proper paperwork and it can be just a matter of a Compliance Hold---where customs is awaiting proper paperwork from DHL themselves......very easily resolved. It can also be that they did do an "exam" and package is being held because it couldn't pass due to just something as simple as not proper scan label.

Here is the number to DHL Customs/Importing Issues: 1-866-600-0014. I use this number regularly and they are VERY helpful....they can immediately pull your info. from your tracking number when you tell them you are calling re; a package delivery delay. They immediately open a case and track your package and get all the info. as to what the problem is...they call you and update you everyday by 5:00 pm---take down the name and number of the agent you first speak to as this will be your contact always from this point.

It really sometimes can be very easily resolved with 1 phone call. Good Luck :)

I have found this to be as jollybee has said. Mine come in through a provincial airport rather than London. I am not importing new product on a large scale and I get my shipper to label my packages "used xxx for personal use" as the packages themselves are seldom over 7lbs. So they dont attract as much attention as others. They get picked on either because customs are overkeen that day or the luck of the draw - a certain % in every batch.

If you give DHL a ring and your package appears to be "stuck" they will "open a file" to find out the problem and liase with customs. Ive also called customs direct once or twice but this needs to be done with care as they can get a bit huffy if they think you are too pushy.

British customs act like gods sometimes and forget that they are handling someone elses property.

instead of DHL you should always get items shipped using EMS, if you can.

if you get a seizure doesnt you address get blacklisted?
has anyone had seizure then had parcles through unopened to same address after that?
after i got a seizure i switched addresses to be on safe side..