Inbound Package Stuck in US Customs?

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.

kai · 11th February 2019, 10:08 PM

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

kai · 11th February 2019, 10:18 PM

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

DaveA · 19th February 2019, 09:27 AM

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.

19th February 2019, 09:27 AM	#7
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 416	Thank you 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.

11th February 2019, 04:51 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	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	#2
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	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Any possibility that there is a backlog hold up due to your recent Govt shutdown?

11th February 2019, 09:26 PM	#4
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.

11th February 2019, 10:08 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	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

11th February 2019, 10:18 PM	#6
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	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