How do they do it????????????

I have no idea what caused your problem. Were the speakers second hand? If a previous owner smoked drugs in their home then the dogs at customs would detect this and customs would likely look inside your speakers for hidden packages...(i.e. remove the driver to inspect inside)

All I can say is that my experience with UPS for international shipments on several occasions has been terrible. They even lost something for two weeks once. Their customer service did not even bother to follow up for me, even after repeated phone calls and ten days of waiting, and, in the end, I fixed the problem myself through phone calls to the receiver and by getting them to follow up directly with a local import/delivery supplier that UPS subcontracted at the receiving end airport. Another time they sent my goods to the wrong airport (mistyped the ZIP code in their system). Also their import and handling fees ( the hidden extras) seem to be far higher than anyone else.

Sorry for this brief rant....

From a more positive perspective, BAX and Fedex have always been excellent shippers for me.

I live in Canada and have bought and sold dozen of items with folks in the U.S. without the problems you've encountered. I suspect it's good old UPS dropping stuff again, I won't use Brown for anything.

Damage done to Audio Note AX2'S, the predrilled holes for inserting the screws to hold the speaker to the cabinet was torn up making them twice the size as they should have been.
The screws were still in the holes. Taking the speaker off is the only why to look inside.
Mirage center speaker. Tha front corner was smashed in.
They are very skilled at destroying without damage to the boxes. Must be an art of some form or years of working for UPS or Customs and gaining such a skill that keeps the box in perfect shape and destroying whatever is in it.

Yes this happens all the time in the US also. The box was dropped flush on one side. The impact was even on one full side which jars or shocks the contents inside without damaging the box. Has happen to me on both deliveries and shipments. No sign of box damage but the amps, speakers - whatever damaged.

If dropped a good distance the inside component really gets a quick jolt.

Bill

I shipped Meadowlark Blue Heron 2's in original heavy duty wooden crates, from Northern California to Vancouver, British Columbia. Customs did open them and in the process damaged a very expensive tweeter. The Audiogon buyer in Vancouver was brushed aside by customs folks and we had to split the cost of the repairs. Customs folks routinely open these boxes and are notoriously careless. I won't ship to Canada again.
Joe