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The more addresses, the better.

Rumor has it that customs is using some sort of a blacklist, but I have no idea if it is true or not. Either way, multiple addresses make sense.

That's what I was getting at:thumb:

So, whatever happened to the package? Ever receive it?

I have been at this for 3 years now and usually everything goes through EMS and DHL. During the last 2 weeks all of my EMS packages have been held and not released yet, and all of my DHL packages have been pushed through. In the opinion of a seasoned veteran, what should I do? Should I order everything DHL now or should I go to the UPS store and start ordering under a different name and address?

But, isn't it true that if they are holding one they will hold others? I have 3 being held right now that arrived within the same 3 days. I'm wondering when I should ditch these shipments, file a dispute with my credit card, and reorder under a new address at the UPS store?

No, it is not true. I had a package last week that US Customs seized. I received 2 more the same week. All through DHL.

I ordered for first time in at least 2 months and had 2 packages that made it right through DHL/Customs in Cincinnati and arrived at the closest DHL facility ready to be put on the truck (literally a couple of hours from arriving at my door) and I go online to check the tracking and it says"contact DHL" both were seized, both were sent to different addresses, even different cities.

Want to get some more inventory, but am running out of addresses.
Does DHL deliver to UPS Store PO boxes? What is UPS policy with a package that is 10 times bigger than the actual box?

Would you happen to be in Florida? Ive talked to a couple different people where this happened last week. Had me wondering if they were doing a sweep. But I dont know, because like I said, I got packages to the same address within the same week. And they all had the US Customs inspection sticker on it. And obviously some of the US Customs people dont even care, because packages are opened, an item inside the box was opened, examined, put back in the box, resealed, and sent to me. Weird.

DHL can deliver to PO box but only a notice will be left - you will have to go to the counter to pick up manually.

Upper midwest
Really bummed me out because even w/ the DHL shipping the cost per item was still less and and arrived about 5 days after the order was placed.
Shipment came out of Hong Kong which I thought I read somewhere was safer...maybe I'm wrong
I have had good service from this seller in the past. They sent out a second shipment to a different address that was also seized. Finally they refunded about 80% of my money which I thought was fair. Is it safe for me to try and use them again or should I just try to find someone new?

I'm assuming that you mean the counter at the UPS store and not directly to a DHL facility which in my case is 2 hours away vs. the UPS store which is 5 minutes away

So all of the packages that you just referenced where DHL? I have only had problems with EMS, never DHL. So, I went and opened up a very expensive mailbox at the UPS store because they will sign for any ems and DHL packages. I used my middle named and split up my last name just to be extra careful. Any thoughts on this? Expert guidance would be incredibly appreciated.

Update guys: I just checked the first package, that was ems, and it was released from customs. I'm elated. How is everyone else doing with their seized packages/

In my case both were DHL (I have never had a problem with DHL packages being seized in the past)...
In both cases (different addresses) I received the letter from customs as well so I assume thet are gone for good.

Does anyone know if Cincinnati is the only entry point for DHL? My stuff used to sail right through there in a matter of hours. Now it gets to the DHL warehouse cloest to me and gets seized there.

Is this some sort of new policy?

Yes. Insane. I'm always worried about getting poor quality or defective lots when buying in quantity. I've gotten stuff that was perfect quality the first time and then subsequent orders, your supplier sends horrendous stuff obviously from another vendor. I gamble small.

A lot of times packages are opened because some of these dumb Chinese suppliers declare items with vague descriptions like "Gift" with a $10 value on a 50 pound box. DHL commercial shipments are supposed to be taxed. Many packages are opened because of vague descriptions and low declared values. U.S import taxes are tiny compared to Europe. Kind of stupid to declare such a low value on a huge shipment.

It could be. EMS tracking log is different now since 2 weeks. In NYC, when a package arrived into the country, it used to say "inbound int'l arrival". If it went into customs it would say "inbound into customs" immediately afterwards. If it didn't say "inbound into customs", it was forwarded immediately to your local sorting center without ever getting a thorough customs inspection.

Now it doesn't show "inbound int'l arrival" or "inbound into customs" anymore. It just says "processed through facility"

I have often thought the same thing. They will send a couple of boxes, 50# each and declare as gift or educational...c'mon???:doh:

So based on what you just said, it is easier to get packages through via EMS? To me I have only had issues with EMS and not DHL. As for the Cincinnati question, it depends where you live. I live in the South East, so Cincinnati is my hub. West coast I believe somewhere in Cali, maybe San Fran will be your hub. All of my DHL stuff seems to go through Cincinnati each time with no fail. Also, they open each item and repack it just to check for who knows what. The packers even left a box cutter, open, that was sent through. I'm glad I didn't cut the crap out of myself pulling the boxes out lol!

Also, I feel like an idiot. I realize from what I have read that just because it was released does not mean that I will receive it. However, in the past when they have been released I have always received them. I have never had issues with DHL and Cincinnati. I have do everything I have read on here in order to get my stuff through. I have gone to smaller shipments etc. These shipments that are being held are incredibly small. It seems my bigger shipments that weigh 5 and 6 times as much are getting through DHL/Cincinnati easier. Maybe it is just an EMS thing?

I have not had problems with DHL in Cincinnati either.
The two packages that I had seized were at the DHL distribution center in my state, literally within an hour or so of being put on the truck and delivered to my door 2 hours away

Not really sure about that. NYC does have a huge immigrant Chinese population and the amount of packages coming through JFK from China is more than most hubs in the U.S. I have heard less than 1% of packages that come through JFK are physically opened. But I'm sure they do get x-rayed and sniffed out by the dogs.

I've never had packages opened when held by customs, so I am assumed just x-rayed and dog sniffed. I am in florida so all my packages go through JFK. I also get everything through EMS, never used DHL

Yes. Very True. Ive got a box that was 24 kg. He put on there that it was a sample of a camera valued at $60. WTF? LOL I forget the description that my good seller puts on there, but he'll value it out at $3,500

I currently have package the says "inbound into customs" just got there today.

Update: I had a pretty large shipment, about 20 pieces/50 lbs, get automatically rerouted by DHL to the New York City location. Usually they go right to the Cincinnati hub. Customs is already holding a small EMS shipment of mine. I have recently sent new orders to a new address under a different name. Is my address flagged now? Also, customs just released an order of mine and it made it through fine. I have no idea what is going on now.

I can't say with any certainty that addresses get flagged. Every address that I have had seizures at either I or someone else has subsequently received packages at...go figure.

I would assume though that it is much riskier and should be avoided at least for a period of time

What is much riskier? Shipping to the address that recently had a package seized?

So, anything more than 2 weeks we should go ahead and consider those packages a lost cause? I'm going to start opening disputes with my CC company. I can always close the dispute if I miraculously receive the item after being held so long. Thoughts?

after 3 days finally got released from customs in JFK. they had it since july 11.
Delivered today

Looks like customs is back at it. Anyone else experiencing the same?

Indeed.

One of my latest for incoming to SEATTLE was a FedEx hold.

Incorrect zip code

Couple of UK items are on their way to Mars. ( different story)



:mad:

Usually this happens mid-June. I guess they are changing their "blackout" dates.

What shipping company and what location are you talking about.

DHL, eastern US. Also, one of my packages says "Awaiting collection by recipient as requested" on the DHL tracking update. What does this mean? I've never experienced this before. According to the DHG blog, someone else experienced this issue and their item ended up getting seized by customs after a few weeks. That seems odd to me that the package would make it all the way to the destination hub just to be seized.

Happens all the time. Read around.

Ya'll are nuts importing phakes. Person I knew use to be big into the Vero products on eBay. Was getting 2-3 packages a week to multiple UPS store addresses. Customs tracked who the packages went to. Homeland Security got a warrant raided his house and his storage unit. Now is facing 4 Felony counts and 2 Misdemeanors. Be careful what you guys get into.

what were the vero products he was importing?

Sounds intense! :eek:

Branded goods, that is all I can say. But if you are a volume importer and get lots of merchandise be careful. Especially if you have had packages seized multiple times in the past.