Inbound Package Stuck in US Customs?

Oliver Pinchot · 11th February 2019, 02:21 AM

I find that visiting my local post office and asking whomever is in charge to help
is very effective; much more so than calling the 800 number. If you don't know the people at your P.O., make a point of it. It really makes a difference. I hope you receive your package soon.

drac2k · 11th February 2019, 02:36 AM

By any chance were the handles made of ivory or any other material from an endangered species or possibly confused for one?

David · 11th February 2019, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

By any chance were the handles made of ivory or any other material from an endangered species or possibly confused for one?

Well that was my first thought. If not ivory, then some kind of horn or bone that might have them wondering.

Tim Simmons · 11th February 2019, 04:51 PM

I had a similar problem when I sold a Maria+Popovi Martinez ceramic bowl to an art gallery in Texas. I just described the item as a Maria+Popovi Martinez earthenware bowl. The piece was then held at US customs. Apparently my description was not good enough. To me it was an earthenware bowl which was rather naive of me. US customs wanted to know more about this item before it could be released {sounded crazy to me} like what it was made of

{earthenware clay} So I emailed the gallery who very helpfully contacted US customs and explained that the item was Native American art pottery and not made of any dangerous substances and that did the trick, the item was released undamaged and I got my money from the gallery. I suspect you might be having a similar problem. The materials that make up the item might need better description and perhaps more focus on the art nature of the item as well as antique and collectible. A horrible situation to be in and completely unnecessary. Customs can be rather a mystery and frightening when trading the future of casual personal trade does not look good. I can only suggest no longer purchasing from outside your own country. I hope you can get it sorted.

asomotif · 11th February 2019, 06:38 PM

Is you shipper a private person or a company ?

In the past I noticed that companies sometimes get a better follow up on their packages.

Did he mark the package "return to sender if undeliverable" ?

I had a package to Singapore that was routed via the US last december.
It was also held by US customs and it took over 3 weeks to get more details.
The package was finaly delivered to Singapore, but is was marked with "return to sender" ? because it contained a sword…

Anyway, keep asking the shipper to contact the UK Royal mail. Tracing should indeed be done from his side.

kahnjar1 · 11th February 2019, 07:01 PM

Any possibility that there is a backlog hold up due to your recent Govt shutdown?

Will M · 11th February 2019, 09:26 PM

Held up at customs is at least a plausible answer. The govt. shutdown may be the cause. That they acknowledge your package is positive.
Since the beginning of Nov is a problem, I agree that you should go to the post office, ask to make a claim against it which may get them moving.
Hopefully it's insured.

11th February 2019, 02:21 AM	#1
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 468	I find that visiting my local post office and asking whomever is in charge to help is very effective; much more so than calling the 800 number. If you don't know the people at your P.O., make a point of it. It really makes a difference. I hope you receive your package soon.

11th February 2019, 02:36 AM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	By any chance were the handles made of ivory or any other material from an endangered species or possibly confused for one?

11th February 2019, 04:51 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I had a similar problem when I sold a Maria+Popovi Martinez ceramic bowl to an art gallery in Texas. I just described the item as a Maria+Popovi Martinez earthenware bowl. The piece was then held at US customs. Apparently my description was not good enough. To me it was an earthenware bowl which was rather naive of me. US customs wanted to know more about this item before it could be released {sounded crazy to me} like what it was made of {earthenware clay} So I emailed the gallery who very helpfully contacted US customs and explained that the item was Native American art pottery and not made of any dangerous substances and that did the trick, the item was released undamaged and I got my money from the gallery. I suspect you might be having a similar problem. The materials that make up the item might need better description and perhaps more focus on the art nature of the item as well as antique and collectible. A horrible situation to be in and completely unnecessary. Customs can be rather a mystery and frightening when trading the future of casual personal trade does not look good. I can only suggest no longer purchasing from outside your own country. I hope you can get it sorted.

11th February 2019, 06:38 PM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Is you shipper a private person or a company ? In the past I noticed that companies sometimes get a better follow up on their packages. Did he mark the package "return to sender if undeliverable" ? I had a package to Singapore that was routed via the US last december. It was also held by US customs and it took over 3 weeks to get more details. The package was finaly delivered to Singapore, but is was marked with "return to sender" ? because it contained a sword… Anyway, keep asking the shipper to contact the UK Royal mail. Tracing should indeed be done from his side.

11th February 2019, 07:01 PM	#6
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,799	Any possibility that there is a backlog hold up due to your recent Govt shutdown?

11th February 2019, 09:26 PM	#7
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 395	Held up at customs is at least a plausible answer. The govt. shutdown may be the cause. That they acknowledge your package is positive. Since the beginning of Nov is a problem, I agree that you should go to the post office, ask to make a claim against it which may get them moving. Hopefully it's insured.