posted on September 26, 2000 04:16:25 PM
I have just come back from the PO hopping mad! The window clerk everyone loves to hate (and I just hate) has told me that I must be VERY specific on my customs forms, ie, instead of the "2 articles of clothing" I put, I must put "1 34B pink bra and 1 pink sz. med panty". Now, as I sell lingerie, I try not to put all of the details on my customers envelopes, as you never know who is reading it! My way of doing it has been fine and no complaints until now...
As for my question...
Have you ever had a package opened by customs? What country are you in? Do you think it was a result of too little detail (as I was accused of) or just the luck of the draw?
This...ahem...gentleman told me that they will think I am trying to smuggle contraband with this little of information (contraband bras no less!). I countered that if I WAS a smuggler (which I am not thank you very much!), wouldn't I be as specific as possible with a lie as to not attract attention?
Then to top it off, he wrote something on the package after he left to counter to put it in the bin, and when I asked him what it said, he said "post office details". Did he write "open this one - must be drugs!" or something? I know you do not know that of course, but argg! It made me mad!
Any insights into our beloved customs dept would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
posted on September 26, 2000 04:44:26 PM
Yes, we've had boxes opened by Customs. Not our Customs, though.
And I have never had to put sizes of clothing on customs' forms. In fact, I'm purposely vague about what I put on customs' forms, ever since I had a box ripped open and several items stolen because I was foolish enough to write "videogame" on the form. Sounds to me like your local postal worker got a hair up the rear or something.
If you want to get around that nonsense, fill out a customs' form, then put it INSIDE the package before sealing. On the outside, you put another form that says "Customs' declaration in package". This practice is allowed by postal regulations.
If your PO worker insists you have to detail everything, go over their head. What they want you to do is ridiculous and not necessary by current regulations.
posted on September 26, 2000 04:53:31 PM
Hi - I live in England and I have had a couple of parcels opened by our dear Customs (out of probably 200 from the USA). Neither has been due to the label, they seem to be purely random. As far as I am concerned, the customs form doesn't need to say too much - certainly not as much as you Post Office say!!!! The one thing NOT to do is raise the value of the items. The duty and fees charged (when they do) are based on the value on the forms. Always searching for Heffalumps
posted on September 26, 2000 04:58:19 PM
'CLOTHING' is the sort of description that is on all the packages I receive in Canada from the US. Yes occasionally they get opened. I've had them opened when the recycled box original held Pharmaceuticals (and said so). Also opened for no apparent reason.
posted on September 26, 2000 06:44:41 PM
Er-I should specify I'm referring to USPS and US Customs. Americans stationed overseas use the regular ole USPS, just like people in the US but we deal with customs' forms all the time.
The Customs people who opened our package were not US Customs.
