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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 413
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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. |
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#2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,200
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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! ![]() |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 456
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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. |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,217
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By any chance were the handles made of ivory or any other material from an endangered species or possibly confused for one?
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#5 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,101
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,781
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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
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,224
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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. |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,731
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Any possibility that there is a backlog hold up due to your recent Govt shutdown?
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario
Posts: 391
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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. |
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Hello Dave,
Sorry to hear that - it really sucks when tracking does not work! How securely were the labels/addresses attached? You may want to also contact the central USPS facility for "undeliverable" parcels just in case. IIRC, you have to meet a deadline or the parcel will be forfeited... Regards, Kai |
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Hello Dave,
Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23525 (From the tracking info, this does not seem to be your problem. However, I'd also consider this possibility and file another claim here just to be on the safe side of things...) Regards, Kai |
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#12 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 413
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Thank you everyone for your advice and commiseration. I have a few useful tips now on how to proceed. As far as I know, there are no materials in the items that might be restricted. Old hardwood from S.E. Asia is possible concern. The types are hard to identify especially when significantly aged. I’ve never had a problem before of this kind. With some luck, I will post a happy ending story.
Dave A. |
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#13 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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Hope you will receive your items!
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#14 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 57
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My apologies if I'm being pedantic. But I ordered several antiques from England and they were shipped FedEx. FedEx never notified me, but the objects were just stuck in customs. I called FedEx after a few days, and they said that the items couldn't be released because there wasn't a CF5106 on file for me with DHS. I filled out a CF5106, sent it to FedEx's international shipping department, and my package was released the next day (along with tariff charges b/c the shipper included FMV of contents, but didn't include a statement that the contents were over 100 years old). Maybe you need a CF5106 on file?
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