Importing and customs

[Sam1323]

I am newbie and I am not sure if it is the right place to ask about this.
I started importing from china a couple of months ago. I import 3 packages monthly on avarage, 10-15 lbs of weight.
So far none of them was opened by customs, they kept some of them for several days but they never opened any.
I import copyrighted materials.
I have two questions:

1- Can I increase my importing rate/weight and how far can I go?
2- If customs opens a box, will my loss be only the box? I mean what other kinds of troubles I might get? (I use a UPS mail box and I always use my nickname not my real name for shipping).

Thank you!

[FrancisK]

From what I've researched it's a total crapshoot. Sometimes they just tell you that your items have been confiscated and sometimes they will take some sort of action, I'm sure the chance of action would be greater if you increasingly violate.

You obviously know you are doing something wrong so you have to accept the risk that goes along with it. Hopefully someone with more expierence with importing copyright items will chime in, although don't be surprised if nobody wants to share their secrets.

Have you considered sourcing the items within the US? It obviously may cost more but would simplify many things.

[jeffweico]

The larger the box, the larger the risk. But smaller boxes get opened too.

Whn your items are seized, a couple of things happen. Obviously, you get a letter from the US Customs service. You have the right to post a bond and contest the seizure, but good luck with that.

They also notify the copyright owner. Many people have been sued in civil court because of this.

Lastly, they MAY, depending on their criteria, turn the information over to law enforcement. Obviously, the FBI cannot investigate every small time reseller who bnrings in such products. But if they take an interest in you, for whatever reason (they do not divulge their criteria) you are in for a world of trouble.

Having a UPS BOX, or a box at any other mail receiving service under your nickname - as opposed to your real name - will not help you. It would take law enforcement, or an attorney working for the copyright owner, all of 5 seconds to piece it all together.

If the copyright owner sues you, that is a civil matter, and you can end up with a huge judgment on your record.

If law enforcement comes after you, then you are most likely looking at jail time.

I am NOT an attorney and this is NOT legal advice. I dabbled with this back in the day and got out of it when I figured out there was no way to build a stable business based on it. I saw too many posts where people were sued and/or got a knock on the door. I didn't want to be one of them.

How much of a risk is it? I cannot give you the actual probability of being sued or going to jail. But this is NOT a risk-fee endeavor. Google "johnson & pham" if you want to see many examples of people being sued over selling counterfeits. Or type "counterfeit caught" into Google news to see news stories of people who were prosecuted criminally for this. It DOES happen.

Why not find something legitimate to sell? There is plenty of stuff out there, you just have to do some research to find a profitable niche. Try Terapeak - I think they have a free trial, it should get you started in the right direction.

[GreenBean]

Heed the advice.

Long term it is not worth the troubles.