Chicago Customs Seized/Confiscated

[Hyjynx]

"Keychain"??? Now that's hilarious. [emoji1]
I live on the west coast and all my 25+ shipments in under 2 years have always come thru LA. I've got two shipments incoming in a few days. If policies have changed to rout thru Chicago, that will not bode well at all. [emoji15]

 

[juryan]

Is this type of thing an issue only on larger shipments from Asia, or has anyone had a single-unit shipment seized?

 

[panerai153]

Is this type of thing an issue only on larger shipments from Asia, or has anyone had a single-unit shipment seized?

Several have been single watch shipments.

 

[Thrasher]

I think this conversation should be in a secure area and pictures of boxes or other shipping materials should never be posted. For new people we should post some rule that shipping material never be posted. I'm very sure that customs supervisors are on our forum and the others reading this right now. If this problem persists we will have to work out a new distribution network. I also think local GTGs should never be openly discussed.

 

[timeonmyside]

I think this conversation should be in a secure area and pictures of boxes or other shipping materials should never be posted. For new people we should post some rule that shipping material never be posted. I'm very sure that customs supervisors are on our forum and the others reading this right now. If this problem persists we will have to work out a new distribution network. I also think local GTGs should never be openly discussed.

I blanked out all pertinent info on the box, but if you guys think I should pull the images I definitely will.

 

[kasper618]

I have one that left china 8 days ago and hasn't shown scanned in the states yet.

To add to that, my best friend ordered a Seiko Moon Monster from japan. Limited Ed gen, one of 1313 pieces. It just disappeared after Chicago. Never was scanned "inbound into customs" This was a month ago. Usps has no idea where his watch is and he hasn't received a seizure letter yet.

Some fishy stuff going on!

 

[HarleyMo]

It's not like "we" consumers can choose where our packages go. Doesn't it go to the closest customs port to where you live (to cut down on transit times?)
People living in Midwestern states it goes to Chicagoland, Texas is Dallas, Northeastern states is NYC, I'm sure there are two ports in California for western coast people, South Florida, etc... I thought that's the "default?!"
So someone who lives in say Minnesota is going to get their pkg thru Chicagoland customs, no matter what! It's not going to go to Miami then be sent halfway across the country... That makes no sense!

Im in Missouri and most of my watches have gone through New York, only a couple have come through Chicago. No rhyme or reason to it.

 

[Brtis]

There is no pattern to what is going on other than they seam to be looking harder. I wonder if the scrutiny has anything to do with the back log at the shipping ports and an increase in parcel shipments do to it. Sd's and my shipment hit Chicago ISC at about the same time and mine cleared in 30 hrs...his still sitting there. The two shipments did not come from the same sender, but same location. I don't believe it is a back log or everyone would be experiencing similar delays as they process first come/first serve.

I found it interesting that I think this was my first watch shipment that was packaged in a padded envelope, but hey no complaints.

 

[yodog]

Crap - so you Los Angeles guys are getting packages routed to CHICAGO? Doesn't make sense at all since from HK they would just fly it over the Pacific straight to San Francisco then down to Socal. Might need to cancel my order!

 

[iixxboredumxxii]

Crap - so you Los Angeles guys are getting packages routed to CHICAGO? Doesn't make sense at all since from HK they would just fly it over the Pacific straight to San Francisco then down to Socal. Might need to cancel my order!

Well I have two incoming packages:

1. France to LOs Angeles - this one went from France to NYC ISC and still there since 3/12

2. China to Los Angeles - this one went to the SF ISC for sorting and this item was sent after the first package so we will see, which I will receive first.

Usually items seem to be at customs for 2-3 days max, but this time is way too long. nYC ISC since I'm all the way on the west coast.

 

[Lito]

Was EMS used ? Is Hong Kong Postal an option ?

Yes EMS was used.

Any thought on triangle shipping?

 

[sdsailor]

Crap - so you Los Angeles guys are getting packages routed to CHICAGO? Doesn't make sense at all since from HK they would just fly it over the Pacific straight to San Francisco then down to Socal. Might need to cancel my order!

Indeed, see my previous post, describing the unusual entrance locations to the US:

As for going through Chi, I'm in Southern California, and these two watches in transit will be my 2nd and 3rd. My 1st came through NYC. 2nd came through Los Angeles. 3rd came through Chi. All ending up in So cal. Now tell me what the **** the rhyme and reason to that is!?

As of today it's been in customs purgatory for 5 days. This is my first purchase from a TD so off to a bad start, although I know it's not his fault!

 

[Thrasher]

It makes no sense that a Package from China to Los Angeles would go to Chicago??????

 

[yodog]

^ yeah tell me about it. Contemplating canceling my order since I used a wholesale TD with no guarantees...

 

[timeonmyside]

I know tons of flights go into LAX (los ang) as I travel a lot and seems like 70% of the flights at the international wing are from Asia. If anything, LA should be the first landing point in the US. Only thing that makes sense is if there are direct flights from China to SF, NYC, Chicago, etc.

 

[stxtf]

HK-Chicago direct is only 1.5hr longer flight than HK-LA. And if there are any stops at all on the route, it could be completely arbitrary as to which of Chicago, NY, LA, or SF might be quickest.

 

[timeonmyside]

My nonTD guy told me today that the Chicago situation is about 2 months ongoing already. He is losing about 5% packages going to the USA now.

 

[Versaceboy54]

I've been keeping my eye on this alarming thread since the beginning.

I'm located in new york and all of my packages have gone through NY ISC up to this point with no issues, last one being rite before CNY.

I've read about people that live in Cali having some packages go through Chicago which makes no sense for obvious reasons but I'm curious if anyone that lives in NY or the northeast for that matter has ever had there packages routed through Chicago as well?


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[pukka]

well my gunny strap that's been in Chicago for almost 2 WEEKS finally got released today. It leads me only to believe that either,
1) There's a massive backlog in the processing, although I have had other "non-watch" related items from China sail through...or more likely,
2) They are cracking down hard and checking literally EVERYTHING watch related - straps, buckles, watches etc.

There's no reason for an aftermarket non-rep strap to be held up for 2 weeks.

I live in Chicago and have had about 50% of my packages go through NY and CHI. Some sail through, others sit for one week, two weeks....a far cry from the 24-48hours of a few months ago. I must say, anything from Europe does seem to get through quicker.

Every time I receive a package I check it thoroughly - ive never had one opened, they are always intact. What extent can they see on the xray? Are they able to make out details/branding or just see that it's a watch? How can they physically determine that it's a rep without opening the package first, and if not, are they actually allowed to open the package without your consent first?

I am thinking us US guys will need to have a viable solution for triangle shipping sooner rather than later.

 

[panerai153]

The scanners are pretty good, but they can't make out details like brands, etc. I believe the packaging is the biggest tip off. Genuine watches, even the cheaper brands from China are in boxes with a cardboard outer box, plus paperwork hang tags, etc. also the declared value is going to be close to the real value, as the seller can only insure up to declared value. You will never see a new genuine watch sent individually, no box, wrapped in bubble wrap in a soft shipping envelope and a declared value of 20 USD. So to me the tip offs are a watch, in a package that fits their rep watch template and a very low declared value.
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