Held up in customs


I just purchased a CD player from a gentleman in Vancouver and had it shipped UPS Expedited 2 day. When the package got to the states it was placed on customs hold. When I spoke to someone at UPS they said it would take at least a couple of days and customs could do whatever they wanted to the package or simply keep it. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had any experiences with the Customs Service or FDA in regards to international shipments.
128x128jond
This is odd.
Is this a common model?
If this laser equipped product has not been cleared for the U.S. before
you will have quite the problem, as in they will not let it through.
The laser is used in lots of other models that are sold here? Doesn't matter.
If you are lucky they will fax you a form for this, which you will have to have the mfr assist you with (the bad part).
Odds are your unit is going back unless you can slip through the customs cracks.
What ever happens do it fast or it will go back regardless.

What is the make and model?
Something not usually sold here, I assume (based on your description of the events).

BTW, there is a very easy way around this, but few know how to do it
(and it is now too late since it was already shipped).

Brian@Hello.lt
Well,sorry Canadian sellers;I won't be buying anything from Canada. (Afer reading this mess.)
Customs is *NOT* the issue.

This is a good example of why many non NA buyers are very hesitant to deal with NA sellers
(no experience with these issues, or how to solve problems like this, or better yet, how to AVOID them in the first place).

The problem has ZERO to do with duties, NAFTA, customs broker, etc. Zero.

Laser and its approval via the FDA is the issue and the only issue.
If it has not been approved than it has to be before it can be shipped to the U.S.
This is a slow and annoying process (with the FDA).
Hopefully this model has been approved already.
Check with the mfr or most recent importer.
They will have to fax you a few pages, you fwd them, and that's it
(assuming they exist). Don't delay, FDA has no problem with sending items back, seizing them, or "liquidating" them (aka: destroying them), and regular ship insurance does NOT cover this.

Brian@Hello.lt

Customers in every U.S. state and 48 other countries.
wir sprechen deutsch / angol/ingles/englisch / hablamos en espanol / beszelunk magyarul!
Hello,

I would bet that the individual who sent the unit from Vancouver did not send it along with the proper form that must accompany laser devices. If this form is not supplied in triplicate along with the statement of origin delays can occur at customs. It is important to make sure the person sending you the item is aware of what is required by customs in the way of paperwork. This is not always the case when dealing with someone who rarely or never ships internationally.

Gene
When I called UPS about shipping to Canada, I was given a price and told that the Web site has all the NAFTA forms. I was also told the price did not include any customs and/or brokerage fees that might apply.