Customs...What a Joke

wtfebay · #1 06-22-2015

This has nothing to do with buying branded items to sell on ebay or buying "X" quantity. But rather I bought ONE item for myself, yes it came from China. Funny that I have had every delivery from China hit Los Angeles ISC and pass through same day or next day and make its way to me. Usually I get everything airmail or registered airmail and have no issues. For whatever reason, seller sent this by EMS...been sitting "inbound into customs" for 3 days now. Pretty sure its going to result in a letter, as I had one package go through the day before this one arrived and also a day after this one arrived and both have updated the tracking and passed customs and on their way now....those were sent regular airmail though. If this were some vero item I was trying to sell, I wouldnt be worried as its a cost of business....but this was one small package just for myself containing one single item. SMH...customs...what a joke.

jeffweico · #2 06-22-2015

It is entirely possible that it will still be released from customs. If the item hit on Friday or Saturday, it may not have been queued for processing until today. See if the information updates tonight or tomorrow morning.

wtfebay · #3 06-22-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffweico

It is entirely possible that it will still be released from customs. If the item hit on Friday or Saturday, it may not have been queued for processing until today. See if the information updates tonight or tomorrow morning.

Usually items pass through customs 7 days a week, as I've had other things hit over the weekend and always passes through. The EMS stuff may be different, I don't know. Guess it's a waiting game, however if it continues not to pass along by the middle/end of this week, I'll be waiting for the letter. I've had big packages with vero stuff go through no problem in the past...funny that this small package with one item for personal use potentially gets caught up.

jeffweico · #4 06-22-2015

It CAN HAPPEN! It makes no difference if it is 1 item or 1,000 items.

I am not terribly familiar with the Los Angeles Customs point, but keep in mind that yesterday was FATHER'S DAY, so that could have had an effect on them. Even if they were open, I'm sure a lot of people took the day off.

wtfebay · #5 06-22-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffweico

It CAN HAPPEN! It makes no difference if it is 1 item or 1,000 items.

I am not terribly familiar with the Los Angeles Customs point, but keep in mind that yesterday was FATHER'S DAY, so that could have had an effect on them. Even if they were open, I'm sure a lot of people took the day off.

For some reason mine always hits LA. There's been a few times it has hit NYC or Windy City, but 99% of the time it will hit LA. And it always passes quick. I'll wait it out, it could be because the holiday or some Act of God.

jeffweico · #6 06-22-2015

I wouldn't worry about it either way. If the item WAS seized, you can always have the seller re-ship or get your money back if you used a credit card or paid through any website that offers some sort of buyer protection.

wtfebay · #7 06-22-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffweico

I wouldn't worry about it either way. If the item WAS seized, you can always have the seller re-ship or get your money back if you used a credit card or paid through any website that offers some sort of buyer protection.

Yea, then I have to send to a different address and also worry about any further shipments to my address being flagged. But I am protected several ways, I know.

unkown5454 · #8 06-22-2015

Well, is it f-ake? Sure seems like it the way you have detailed. 1 f-ake or 1 million...doesn't make it any more l-egal.

rsot · #9 06-22-2015

Best of luck OP

jeffweico · #10 06-22-2015

The rule of thumb is to NEVER write off a package unless it has been "stuck" in customs for more than 7 days, or unless you get a letter before that. But I really DO believe he could still get this, especially when you factor in the weekend and Sunday being Father's Day.

wtfebay · #11 06-22-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by unkown5454

Well, is it f-ake? Sure seems like it the way you have detailed. 1 f-ake or 1 million...doesn't make it any more l-egal.

Of course it is a rep. If it wasn't, it surely wouldn't have come from China. You're right...1 piece or 1,000,000 pieces - it's all the same. It's just a sh*tty situation because it was something for my personal use, not something that I was going to try and sell.

wtfebay · #12 06-22-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffweico

The rule of thumb is to NEVER write off a package unless it has been "stuck" in customs for more than 7 days, or unless you get a letter before that. But I really DO believe he could still get this, especially when you factor in the weekend and Sunday being Father's Day.

We will see what happens...still no updates and I don't have my hopes up. So maybe it will show up and I will be surprised.

dealagreeproceed · #13 07-04-2015

sooooooooooooo what happen

rsot · #14 07-05-2015

OP might have lost interest in the item

mhhbizz · #15 07-05-2015

in the UK. if items are sent by DHL or EMS/Parcelforce, very likely they are held by customs/courier company untill duty stamps are paid.

unlike if being sent by china post, then royal mail once in UK, i never get asked for tax/duty. no matter how big or how much the parcel is.

wtfebay · #16 07-05-2015

Oh I never provided an update...package got delivered, but USPS never updated tracking whatsoever. Even now when I check it, it still shows inbound into customs. Way to go USPS.

rsot · #17 07-05-2015

Nice to hear wtfebay - win

dealagreeproceed · #18 07-06-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtfebay

Oh I never provided an update...package got delivered, but USPS never updated tracking whatsoever. Even now when I check it, it still shows inbound into customs. Way to go USPS.

NICE

mhhbizz · #19 07-06-2015

Good game well played.

wtfebay · #20 07-06-2015

Quite happy with my purchase, glad it made it through safely.