| Author |
Message |
shortride
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2010
Posts: 1323
Location: Oklahoma
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:56 am Post subject: Radio sitting at US Customs for 15 days |
 |
|
I'm not sure if this is the proper place to post this. Please move it if it isn't.
I bought a period correct radio for my 1966 VW Beetle from an individual in the UK and it was shipped on February 18th 2014. As of 02/28/14 the tracking information indicated it was still in the UK but in fact it was sitting at the US Customs location in the US since for 15 days waiting on a $35 fee to be paid. I finally found out this morning what the hold up was and paid the $35 US Customs fee.
I only had 4 more days before the radio would have gone bye-bye. No telling where it would have ended up. What a deal! Things can really get screwed up ordering stuff from across the pond huh?
If you plan on buying anything from somewhere other than in the United States you need to keep track of it because nobody else will.
_________________
Pearl White 1966 Sedan
Retired US Army - 21 years 11B40, 173rd Airborne Brig. - Vietnam Combat Veteran |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Jacks
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2006
Posts: 2347
Location: San Clemente, Ca.
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
I don't get it. It was shipped from England on Feb 18 2014 (2/18/14) and 10 days later (2/28/14) US customs already had it for 15 days? There must be more to the story.  I'm glad you able to get your radio though 
_________________
Jack Staggs
Actual name |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
drscope
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 15273
Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Customs can be a bitch no matter where or which way things are going.
Last bad experience I had I sent a package overnight via Federal Express to the Isle of Jersey in the UK. It cost me over $400 to send it and was a time sensitive package. It got held up in customs for no given reason and took 3 months to get delivered to the recipient.
That one hurt but there is NOTHING you can do but wait when Customs holds your package for whatever reasons they want.
I knew of a guy here in town who had two Lamborghinis sitting in customs at the port of Baltimore for something like 12 years. I don’t know if he ever got them or what the end of the deal was but I know he had a lot of money invested and the last time I talked to him about it (over 20 years ago) things didn’t look good.
Just be happy you were able to find out what the hold up was and pay the money and hopefully get your stuff!
_________________
Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shortride
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2010
Posts: 1323
Location: Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 10:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| drscope wrote: |
Customs can be a bitch no matter where or which way things are going.
Last bad experience I had I sent a package overnight via Federal Express to the Isle of Jersey in the UK. It cost me over $400 to send it and was a time sensitive package. It got held up in customs for no given reason and took 3 months to get delivered to the recipient.
That one hurt but there is NOTHING you can do but wait when Customs holds your package for whatever reasons they want.
I knew of a guy here in town who had two Lamborghinis sitting in customs at the port of Baltimore for something like 12 years. I don’t know if he ever got them or what the end of the deal was but I know he had a lot of money invested and the last time I talked to him about it (over 20 years ago) things didn’t look good.
Just be happy you were able to find out what the hold up was and pay the money and hopefully get your stuff! |
I'll just be surprised if it shows up after that ordeal.
| Jacks wrote: |
| I don't get it. It was shipped from England on Feb 18 2014 (2/18/14) and 10 days later (2/28/14) US customs already had it for 15 days? There must be more to the story? I'm glad you able to get your radio though |
The numbers don't add up huh? The shipping service only counting work days (5 day week). I included weekend days in my count. I was told that US Customs works 7 day a week.
_________________
Pearl White 1966 Sedan
Retired US Army - 21 years 11B40, 173rd Airborne Brig. - Vietnam Combat Veteran |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shortride
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2010
Posts: 1323
Location: Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| EverettB wrote: |
Why did you have to pay a Customs fee?
I have never had to pay any sort of import fee on used parts EVER.
I buy stuff from Europe all the time. |
US Customs is in control when they have your merchandise. I have no idea other than when they randomly pick items or parcels to inspect and mine happen to be the one to get chosen, they charge a fee for their time. Everything that goes through US Customs doesn't get inspected. Therefore there may not be any fees. All I know is I got an email this morning that said if I wanted my package to continue on it way to me, I had to pay a $35 fee.
I'm not in a position to demand an explanation for the fee if I want my radio. Somebody has to pay for it I guess. I've also bought items from Europe without a US Customs inspection.
With the security like it is in the US, I would imagine the US Customs is fairly busy opening packages. You would think a quick X-Ray would have been sufficient.
_________________
Pearl White 1966 Sedan
Retired US Army - 21 years 11B40, 173rd Airborne Brig. - Vietnam Combat Veteran |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2011
Posts: 1593
Location: Louisville, ky
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 12:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| By any chance did you mail the check to a Nigerian bank? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shortride
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2010
Posts: 1323
Location: Oklahoma
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
onemat
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2011
Posts: 418
Location: Ashland City, TN
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 12:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The UK and the US require Customs paperwork done and packed with the shippment. If it's not with the package you can expect customs at the recipient's end to hold the item until the fees are paid. They typically do not contact the shipper or recipient. Customs can level fines or fees if the paperwork is inaccurate as well. They expect you to know the rules. I ship & recieve out of four US locations as part of my job. We had a clerk ship some valuable items to the UK last year without filling out the paper correctly and it cost us about $6000. in duties and fines.
Matt
_________________
'82 Vanagon GL with 2.0 4-speed. Long term plan is to turn it into a camper. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| shortride wrote: |
| EverettB wrote: |
Why did you have to pay a Customs fee?
I have never had to pay any sort of import fee on used parts EVER.
I buy stuff from Europe all the time. |
US Customs is in control when they have your merchandise. I have no idea other than when they randomly pick items or parcels to inspect and mine happen to be the one to get chosen, they charge a fee for their time. Everything that goes through US Customs doesn't get inspected. Therefore there may not be any fees. All I know is I got an email this morning that said if I wanted my package to continue on it way to me, I had to pay a $35 fee.
I'm not in a position to demand an explanation for the fee if I want my radio. Somebody has to pay for it I guess. I've also bought items from Europe without a US Customs inspection.
With the security like it is in the US, I would imagine the US Customs is fairly busy opening packages. You would think a quick X-Ray would have been sufficient. |
Ok, I understand, it wasn't an import fee but a bogus inspection fee.
They probably thought a radio looked suspect.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ALLWAGONS
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2000
Posts: 4186
Location: Pasadena CA/DTLA soon China
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I import stuff from all over the world and customs may seize your goods for a number of reasons and tax your items accordingly. We avoid getting taxed on many occasions, but trust me, there are very few items that are actually exempt from duty.
_________________
I'd be UNSTOPPABLE if not for Law Enforcement and PHYSICS.
I recycle old cars and parts, other than when I rot, that's as Green as I am going to get.
Thanks to my Tesla driving neighbors, I feel more relaxed driving my SUBURBAN and old VW's.
NON INFLUENCER APPROVED |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Karly
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2002
Posts: 641
Location: Australia
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 2:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
agreed- they just make their own rules and as the importer you have no choice but to cop the fees.
try shipping a car ... here in Australia they just love to give out their $600 car wash special. You can't do nothing about it because they have the car! Then you gotta love when you finally have the car and the suspension is caked in dirt after forking out all that money for 'cleaning'!
_________________
1960 Beetle ''Heidi" daily driver
1964 Karmann Ghia project |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shortride
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2010
Posts: 1323
Location: Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 2:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
| EverettB wrote: |
Why did you have to pay a Customs fee?
I have never had to pay any sort of import fee on used parts EVER.
I buy stuff from Europe all the time. |
You've been very fortunate. I've bought various things from Europe myself over the years and this was the first time it has gotten held up for inspection and a US Custom fee.
_________________
Pearl White 1966 Sedan
Retired US Army - 21 years 11B40, 173rd Airborne Brig. - Vietnam Combat Veteran
Last edited by shortride on Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Canni wrote: |
agreed- they just make their own rules and as the importer you have no choice but to cop the fees.
try shipping a car ... here in Australia they just love to give out their $600 car wash special. You can't do nothing about it because they have the car! Then you gotta love when you finally have the car and the suspension is caked in dirt after forking out all that money for 'cleaning'! |
They do that at the docks here too.
"Cleaning fee"
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Antonio Trejo
VW Parts Dealer
Joined: December 17, 2003
Posts: 937
Location: Mexico City
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have been exporting VW parts to the US since 2003 by FedEx, and the customs clarence in Memphis for my shipments takes 15-25 minutes. Overnight service from Mexico City to the US and Canada means just like that.
All my shipments with customs paperwork done. By the way: to export radio frequency devices to the US, the seller need to fill and attach the US customs form FCC 740.
From my feedback:
| hopkin wrote: |
What can I say, 23 hours from Antonio's door in Mexico to my door in (Ottawa) Canada. (FedEx does get some credit,  )
As always, a pleasure doing business with Antonio! |
| VWGirl wrote: |
| Antonio was recommended to me through the Samba when I first got my mexi... I just recently placed my first order with Antonio and parts arrived the next day very well packaged! |
_________________
Parts VW
"From Volkswagen of Mexico factory..."
Genuine VW Sedan parts
Genuine VW Ultima Edition parts
Genuine VW Type 2 watercooled parts |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hopkin
Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2012
Posts: 2480
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Canni wrote: |
agreed- they just make their own rules and as the importer you have no choice but to cop the fees.
try shipping a car ... here in Australia they just love to give out their $600 car wash special. You can't do nothing about it because they have the car! Then you gotta love when you finally have the car and the suspension is caked in dirt after forking out all that money for 'cleaning'! |
$800 car wash for my '96 Mexi when it arrived in Canada from the the UK, and it was covered in dirt underneath when it arrived at my house. Oh well, thanks to the Auto Pact (between Mexico/US/Canada), no import duty charges on the car |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
drscope
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 15273
Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
| hopkin wrote: |
| Canni wrote: |
agreed- they just make their own rules and as the importer you have no choice but to cop the fees.
try shipping a car ... here in Australia they just love to give out their $600 car wash special. You can't do nothing about it because they have the car! Then you gotta love when you finally have the car and the suspension is caked in dirt after forking out all that money for 'cleaning'! |
$800 car wash for my '96 Mexi when it arrived in Canada from the the UK, and it was covered in dirt underneath when it arrived at my house. Oh well, thanks to the Auto Pact (between Mexico/US/Canada), no import duty charges on the car |
That "cleaning" is more of a fumigation. Its not so much the dirt and crud they are worrying about as much as any critters that may be living on there.
_________________
Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shortride
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2010
Posts: 1323
Location: Oklahoma
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
alain riaud
Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2011
Posts: 172
Location: France
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
I temporarily imported a vanagon from Europe.
The broker asked for $200 plus taxes and three weeks to clear the custom.
I went myself at the custom office in Newark.
Ten minutes plus $125 taxes............plus one hour talking vanagon with a local addict.
(It has been thoroughly cleaned and waxed before shipping) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pyrOman
Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12406
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
| alain riaud wrote: |
I temporarily imported a vanagon from Europe.
The broker asked for $200 plus taxes and three weeks to clear the custom.
I went myself at the custom office in Newark.
Ten minutes plus $125 taxes............plus one hour talking vanagon with a local addict.
(It has been thoroughly cleaned and waxed before shipping) |
| drscope wrote: |
| That "cleaning" is more of a fumigation. Its not so much the dirt and crud they are worrying about as much as any critters that may be living on there. |
When I shipped mine from Puerto Rico to Floriduh, did it myself too! Only cost me just over $600 altogether! Thought the cleaning had to do with no leaky dirty engines and since mine leaked everywhere like nobody's business, I washed the engine just minutes before driving it into the docks. 
_________________
Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
