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China to US Customs Question
 

Hello I have heard and read that packages from China to US are more likely to get seized by U.S customs if the package is big,bulky,or heavy.

My question is are packages more likely to get seized by the speed they were shipped? Another words do they get less/more attention if they were shipped slower by china economy post or if they were shipped faster by ems?

It's a hit or miss I cant say for sure but I think DHL packages are more likely to get seized then packages sent through EMS? some people never get seized some due. But other folx may chime in e.g. (rsot, SandyD, JBLUNTZ)

In my experience it depends a lot on your supplier and how they handle shipping. A lot is just out of your control and your suppliers control as well. The best way I've never had a shipment seized thus far is to use EMS, go below 100lbs and have the shipment no bigger then the size of a mini-fridge. DHL shipments seem to get seized more, however for bigger shipments it's recommended to go with them.

My supplier and most of the savvy suppliers from China use styrofoam to mitigate seized shipments. Customs don't want to rip open a styrofoam shipment, they wouldn't be able to put it back together! Smart Chinese suppliers man....

My experience with EMS is totally different from jamblix.

I shipped a very small packaging through them about the size of a medium flatrate box. Damn thing was seized!

Dhl on the other hand ive came to find out that if you import multiple big packages at the same time they will open it. Of course if they find anything they will seized it. Ive only had 2 big packages opened by customers and both contained the same items just different quantity but the packages were huge!

I agree. It does have a lot to do with the shipper.

Big and heavy package sure will easy to get custom attention ,so the smart way is separtely the packages into a few small packages and also the size donot too big (the weight do not over 24 kgs,donot over two packages per address per shippment)

The speed is not matter,all the packages need to go although custom .

There are 4 main factors can reduce the possiblity to get seized. Size,weight,packing well,descrition at reasonable name and value.

make sure the description and value of the items are marked correctly and try to split the shipment into several smaller parcels.

All parcels go through a scanner so it will raise more eyebrows if the item are misrepresentd in the description, also HK/China are known hotspots for counterfeits so customs keep their eyes open as the items come off the cargo belt.

the value is important because if customs feel they are not getting their fair share they will be more than tempted to open the consignment and inspect...

beneysz - Surely aswell if I important 24kgs of VERO clothing and put Clothing as a description on the outside with a value of like 500$ do you think because customs are getting their fair share they would leave it alone or do they just look for huge parcels!?

If its a massive parcel of clothing coming out of china/HK regardless as to what you mark the value down as they may well be tempted to have a look anyways.

Thats why its better to split the cartons up and minimise risk.

From my limited experience ordering from China, I have found DHL to be a pain - in spite of its fast delivery, the fee + risk of seizure = much higher than EMS.

EMS are better for the stuff youd rather not have inspected, but would have to definatley choose DHL/UPS, EMS could never do China to Europe in 2 days delivered..