UK Customs Delays - should I be worried?

[hev9078]

Hey Guys,

I am currently waiting for a package (containing 3 items shipped from China via EMS) to be released from Parcelforce's international hub in Coventry. The tracking just shows as:

Location: International Hub
Event: Received in Destination Country
Date: 06.01.15

I am kind of anxious as the package has now been sat there for a week and I am guessing it has most likely been seized by customs.

Part of this is because I just received a single EMS package from China yesterday that arrived at the same place on 11.01 and cleared customs literally 2 minutes later. This makes me think the delay on my other package isn't just due to a backlog...

Just out of interest, is anyone else experiencing similar delays and/or seizures?

 

[JamesU]

Nah mate, i wouldn't say so.

I had a watch that got to customs on 21st December and didn't get released until around the 5th or 6th Jan. I can't remember exactly. But the day after it was released it was on my doorstep

Most annoying part of ordering a watch!!

 

[logistic]

I have experienced 2 day but it can be a lot longer also are you still using ems tracking when it gets to ur country Use local post tracking its sometimes more accurate

 

[DANZIW]

Yes agree, put the tracking into Royal Mail tracking you will get a better idea of where it is, I would only worry if it says held in customs or held for charges :courage:

 

[JamesU]

I think it's with parcelforce if that's where it says it is. You can put that tracking number into parcelforce track-trace and it'll show up...usually...

 

[hev9078]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the reply. I have been tracking it on the Parcel Force website and unfortunately it has just said the following for the past week now:

Location: International Hub
Event: Received in Destination Country
Date: 06.01.15

I guess I'll be finding out soon enough if there's a problem!

 

[mrrusty]

I've had that before too. It actually turned up at my door but still stated it was at the location Hub ... Probably still does months later. Hope you get it soon.


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[hev9078]

Hey Guys,

Thought I'd update you on this as it's of wider interest to everyone here. As it has almost been two weeks, I rang up Parcelforce to ask where the package is. The guy on the phone told me that it is still in customs and every parcel from China is being checked by them at the moment. Doesn't explain how my other item got through in no time at all. Im
not feeling optimistic at this stage.

May try DHL next time as I've read this is a particular issue with EMS and UK customs. Also worried about my address being blacklisted if the package is in fact seized.

 

[mrrusty]

Hang in there. If the worst happens, you know nothing. If you hear anything that worries you, be sure to ask for advice before acting or replying. I hope it works out for you bud.


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[rj999]

As with BBC tax refusal, the best policy is no contact whatsoever...

 

[nige76]

Hope all ends well. As others have said I'd have faith sometimes it takes a while. I've had packages wait almost 2 weeks and they still arrived safe. Just sit it out. Puretime sent my last couple of pieces via DHL and arrived really quickly around 5 days from China. So might be worth considering asking your TD next time. If and I mean If you get a letter or a phone act dumb and come back he for advice plenty of folk willing to help. Most likely it will arrive my best advice is just wait another week and try to avoid staring at the tracking every 5 minutes

 

[whoischich]

I've had parcels opened by DHL too - so it's not as safe as you think. But I think they're all on the lookout for the better known brands (Rolex, Omega etc). If you get an AP, PAM or something less known by the general public, odds are they won't realise and it'll sail through.

 

[mrrusty]

Any news on your watches?


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[DaGroundZero]

I am shopping for a new rep, but I am wondering if folks are getting deliveries now thst there is more focus on it.

 

[hev9078]

Hey guys thought I'd update you on this. In the end the watches were seized. I got a letter from Border Control informing the contents would be destroyed. The letter came 2 weeks after the package arrived at Coventry. Dealer has been great and is reshipping products. In the meantime I have received a separate order and asked for registered air mail and had absolutely no problems with it. No more EMS and Parcelforce for me

 

[mrrusty]

Sorry to hear that. I wonder if they spotted a multiple watch package and acted on that. I wonder if it is better to get them delivered individually.


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