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Item seized by UKBA
 

I had a letter come through today saying that my parcel has been seized by UK Border Agency. It was just 1 single item which was vero and is genuinely a present for someone! It cost me a lot of money and so i'm wondering if anyone has been successful in challenging the UKBA's rights to seize an item. Two of the examples given on the HMRC website for challenging a seizure is:

1) excise goods brought to the UK from another country in the EU were for your own use or to be given away
2) goods imported from outside the EU were within your statutory allowance

Just wondering if it's worth challenging the seizure and if so, the chances of getting my item, claiming for personal use? Has anyone been successful in this?
Thanks

was it a replica of an original product? or was it an official product?

It was a replica

Well that right there is your problem, i would try to some how get your money back from the supplier and not even bother contacting the UK border agency.

You do not want to put yourself under the limelight with ⊗⊗⊗⊗ items.

It is highly unlikely they would release it even if you did challenge the seizure anyway.

Be glad that is all they have done.

I'm going to try and get my money back from the supplier but have a bad feeling I won't. The letter is asking me to sign it, agreeing to forfeit the items so they can be disposed of, or if i don't sign it, they will dispose of it in 30 days anyway. It doesn't mention appealing the decision on the letter but I looked it up on the HMRC site. After all, it is only 1 item so I thought maybe i'd be within half a chance of getting the item?

If you sign it you are admitting guilt.

How did you pay your supplier? Western Union?

So it's best not to reply then? Yeah, western union. I know I can't get my money back through western union as a company. Have bought from the seller a few times before though and everything was OK.

Hi guys in My experience with the customs just ring them or send a letter stating that they can keep the goods for there disposal !! as i tried it a few year back !!:doh: and had nothing but trouble easier just to let it go.
But would try to get refund from supplier or if possible get to ship an alternative route if coming by EMS post they are the worst for getting stopped at customs they check everything !
Ask for UPS/DHL they are less likely to get stopped !
good luck friend:typing:

Thanks for your input, i think its best to let it go then :(
Yeah i paid for DHL but the seller shipped it by EMS. I knew EMS was riskier. Why is it that DHL parcels are less likely to get stopped?

It's the complete opposite for us in Canada actually. DHL is known for stopping a lot of branded items because apparently they have their own Customs Collection division or something

And then EMS goes through Canada Post once it arrives here - which goes through our border patrol officers who apparently [I just read this] have no authority and no training to seize counterfeit goods :shocked: :eek:

Its usually because they are such a large worldwide company and use many ways of shipping ie:air,ship,rail,transport lots more access through customer + more volume of items etc !!(not as much gets checked)
As EMS are a chinese company and are our main (CHEAPER SOURCE OF TRANSPORT) and theres ,and 90% of what comes out of china,bejing,shenzen are all copies lol.
I learnt years ago same happened to me trying to make a quick £ but lost around £1000 in items but it was my silly fault if its to good to be true it usually is.:doh:
Chin up pal :surrender:

Yeah i've just lost more than that unfortunately! absolutely gutted.
The bank said they can't claim the money back either. I rang out of desperation in hope of some sort of payment protection.

Yeah i've heard both sides of the argument, some say ems is worse, some say dhl.

Also, what about my name/address being 'blacklisted'? Is this true? thanks

Blacklisted regards from what ?

If you keep doing this i am sure they will put a mark against your address.

If you want to take a chance, Why not ask the seller to resend another via DHL this time although i know DHL will probably also return it back to customs once inspected.
As i sure most parcels from china are.

Yeah hopefully they will be able to re-send it by DHL. I have bought replica's before and they have sailed through DHL so maybe its less of a risk. I guess it's just the luck of the draw though.

its just luck tbf

EMS is much better in Canada - confirmed

I wish i could say the same for the UK

EMS is always risk it's a cheap courier tbf..you get what you paid for with dhl

Oh gracious.

You knowingly buy a phake for a friend and now cry because it got seized?

Learn the lesson.

Avoid buying foo-foos for friends or otherwise.

Who cares if EMS is good in any country?

It is an inherent risk to try to import phakes.

:peace: