Inbound Package Stuck in US Customs?

DaveA · 11th February 2019, 02:01 AM

Hello,

My package of swords is lost, or stuck, somewhere in the US and never delivered. The swords are beautiful (and precious) and I am in denial about the possibility of losing them forever.

I hope someone in the forum can help me, but I dearly hope that you have not had a similar experience.

I purchased several swords from a forum member dealer who is well trusted for quality and reliability. The package was accepted by the UK Royal Mail and made it to the US. The last time the tag was scanned was on November 4, 2018. Tracking information says: "Processed Through Facility: ISC New York NY (USPS)".

I've talked to USPS customer service and they claim the package is being held by the US Customs and Border Patrol. That is what the last tag information means. They claim to havre no ability to find out the status. (I don't believe this.)

The shipper in the UK initiated an international trace in December, but thus far there is no new information.

US Customs and Border Patrol seems impossible to contact. Their web info says if they are holding a package then they will notify the recipient by mail. I have heard nothing from them.

Searching on the web reveals a great many complaints about the ISC NY facility for lost or delayed packages.

Any ideas on what I can do to find out more information about the package and how to get it delivered?

Thanks for your comments in advance.

Dave A.

Battara · 11th February 2019, 03:17 AM

All I can say is that I am sorry this is happening to you right now. I hope you get your stuff back without damage or incident.

Idiots!

Oliver Pinchot · 11th February 2019, 03:21 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, 03:36 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, 03:45 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, 05:51 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.

11th February 2019, 02:01 AM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Inbound Package Stuck in US Customs? Hello, My package of swords is lost, or stuck, somewhere in the US and never delivered. The swords are beautiful (and precious) and I am in denial about the possibility of losing them forever. I hope someone in the forum can help me, but I dearly hope that you have not had a similar experience. I purchased several swords from a forum member dealer who is well trusted for quality and reliability. The package was accepted by the UK Royal Mail and made it to the US. The last time the tag was scanned was on November 4, 2018. Tracking information says: "Processed Through Facility: ISC New York NY (USPS)". I've talked to USPS customer service and they claim the package is being held by the US Customs and Border Patrol. That is what the last tag information means. They claim to havre no ability to find out the status. (I don't believe this.) The shipper in the UK initiated an international trace in December, but thus far there is no new information. US Customs and Border Patrol seems impossible to contact. Their web info says if they are holding a package then they will notify the recipient by mail. I have heard nothing from them. Searching on the web reveals a great many complaints about the ISC NY facility for lost or delayed packages. Any ideas on what I can do to find out more information about the package and how to get it delivered? Thanks for your comments in advance. Dave A.

11th February 2019, 03:17 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	All I can say is that I am sorry this is happening to you right now. I hope you get your stuff back without damage or incident. Idiots!

11th February 2019, 03:21 AM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	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, 03:36 AM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	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, 05:51 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	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.