2. misc-audio
  3. 1021427918

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
rcreations
158 posts
 
recently sold a tube pre to a fella from toronto. was a no show after three weeks. he was frantic. finally got someone to find it hanging around customs.no notification it was being held for inspection. they opened the first of three boxes slapped a little piece of tape back on it, never going the other two boxes to inspect the cargo.he received shortly after. waaaaaaaay too much time and bs to contend with. kurt
rgd
656 posts
 
I agreee with Brian - its the laser... I shipped an Arcam 8SE cdp from my home in Canada to a guy in NYC using his Fed Ex account # and had to fill in a separate piece of paper advising the Class of Laser. I easily found the info in the manual or on the back of the unit, can't remember where. No hang-ups and it was delivered on time.

As noted you will probably pay some duty as the product originated in Europe - here in Canada we pay 6% of declared value on items we receive from the US but not produced there except for some (or maybe all) Japanese electronics. Such was the case when I imported a new Sony 333ES SACD cdp from Oade Bros last year - go figure...
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mitcho
44 posts
 
No offence to the Americans, but Canadians put up with the same mess when purchasing items from the US. If the seller is aware of the problems and the technicalities, there are no problems. You get the right papers, fill them out and no hassles. It is when you don't know the laws between countries that you have problems.
Laser's are the exception. If an American purchases a pair of speakers, amplifier, tubes, preamp etc. there are not these hassles. It does occur with laser units due to the various laws in effect by your own country whether it is the US, Canada, Great Britain etc.
You have to certify that it is legal in the country you are shipping it to. The customs guard from your country is not going to know if it is or not. If it is certified like Take Five Audio noted, there are no hassles. But like I said, it is only with CD's, Laser disc's etc. Any device that has a laser in it. This is not limited to audio equipment.
I would not disqualify buying from individuals from one country because an inexperienced shipper did not know the rules.
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