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RE: Shipment Stopped by US Customs

My Federal Express package (audio equipment, of course) was shipped from Canada on Monday, December 12 for delivery to my home on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it was stopped in Indianapolis by US customs (Over $ Limit). My shipment required an importer's registration/identification number for clearance. I could not believe it.

The Federal Express Import Coordinator called me early Tuesday morning and said I needed to complete an Importer ID Input Record and fax it back to her to get the package released. You only have 5 business days to obtain the required document, until the shipment is returned to the shipper. She emailed me the form and I immediately faxed it back. My package cleared customs several hours later. This delay now means a Wednesday delivery.

The Federal Express Coordinator said this was a normal process by US Customs. I was told that every shipment coming from Canada requires proper paperwork to get clearance from US Customs.

It seems this is not a shipper problem but my problem. Is there anything I can do in advance of the shipment to ensure it gets cleared by US Customs? Is this really a normal process by US Customs?

hgeifman
avideo
222 posts
 
Interesting post. I just bought a McIntosh Tuner from an Audiogon member in Ottowa. It took nearly 12 days to arrive here by UPS ground. And worst of all, it appears the package was opened and loosly replaced in the box with some of the alleged packing materials missing.
It is deffinately the last time I will ever buy an item from a Canadian member again.
rja's avatar
rja
2,374 posts
 
Your package was probably delayed and opened at US Customs.
They are known for callous "repackaging" of inspected items.
I have had items crudely stuffed back into original packaging by someone who obviously doesn't give a damn. This is a fact of life if your package has the misfortune of landing in their hands.

Fortunately, most things don't get inspected any more. If the item can't be sent through Canada Post I would forget it unless your Canadian seller can bring the item across the border and ship from a US location.

When I owned Classe products they were sent to a USA address and they took the items across the border into Canada. I assume this was to avoid the hassles involved with shipping direct. This method works quite well.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Buy from USA only!!
metro04
222 posts
 
I've had several items (from $2K~6.5k per item) shipped from Canada. Each shipment was damaged via DHL and involved claims. Got replacements after further long periods, then to top off the aggrevation...received a nice tax bill TWO YEARS LATER from the state of California @ 7.5% that I neglected to consider. No more International purchases for me!
jburidan
803 posts
 
Sounds like Fedex will extort some money out of you.
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