Chicago Customs Seized/Confiscated

[Eschenpod]

If I were you guys, i wouldn't be so concerned about the delay in China associated with the New Year's Celebration.

The real challenge nowadays is making it through U.S. Customs once it hits the States.

 

[Robi666]

I just got the notice of removal from the Chicago customs.

 

[stxtf]

Good God, I was hoping the heat was coming down a bit, but apparently not.

Isn't there any strategy the dealers could come up with, some type of packaging, or possibly triangle shipping within the US so people would get their watches?

I'm from Chicago, want to order the Noob v5 Sub after CNY, but am very worried it won't make it to me. This truly sucks, first time had to worry about this, been collecting reps over 10 years.

My last two orders were shipped, seperately, with HK Mail from sead. HK mail is slower (registered mail), but both are now clear and in the US. So there are safer options

 

[stxtf]

As it stands now 12 days and counting. Hasn't even gone to isc ny yet. Is this not looking good?

Good chance it's just stuck in CNY delays. However I had a couple of packages get out from China on the 14th-15th. Seems like the 11th should have been plenty of time.

My status update before seizure froze at Origin Post preparing shipment. In fact, it still says that.

 

[stxtf]

We need to find fast alternative to EMS though.

I wonder if S-F Express is safer. It is a China-based express courier that delivers locally through UPS.

 

[Eschenpod]

"Originally Posted by stxtf"

My last two orders were shipped, seperately, with HK Mail from sead. HK mail is slower (registered mail), but both are now clear and in the US. So there are safer options


Does anyone know if Hong Kong Post packages pass through the same U.S. Customs treatment that EMS parcels do?

 

[rolexwatchfan]

I wonder if S-F Express is safer. It is a China-based express courier that delivers locally through UPS.

That could be an alternative. Now, my "friend" will look closely to the processing of incoming HK packages and how are they being selected for closer "inspection". I'll keep you guys posted as soon he'll get back to me. From the conversation I've had yesterday, It would be advisable that further information about this matter could be only accessible to the VIP's. I will notify mods shortly.

 

[swatchguy]

That could be an alternative. Now, my "friend" will look closely to the processing of incoming HK packages and how are they being selected for closer "inspection". I'll keep you guys posted as soon he'll get back to me. From the conversation I've had yesterday, It would be advisable that further information about this matter could be only accessible to the VIP's. I will notify mods shortly.

I understand your desire to protect sources and keep things low profile, but please consider sharing what you can since we're all potentially impacted by these inspections. Thanks!

 

[stxtf]

"Originally Posted by stxtf"

My last two orders were shipped, seperately, with HK Mail from sead. HK mail is slower (registered mail), but both are now clear and in the US. So there are safer options


Does anyone know if Hong Kong Post packages pass through the same U.S. Customs treatment that EMS parcels do?

From what I know, Customs wants the motherload- wholesalers importing serious volume. Registered mail is too slow and too restrictive for anyone trying to make a profit, so it gets quite a bit less scrutiny.

It's conspiratorial because like any other agency, they want to justify funding by pumping up long lists of figures and boasting of mass seizures. They want photo ops of steamrollers crushing thousands of nasty $2 Rolexes. Why would they bother with my 1 AP and a couple of straps, unless there's something more going on here?

 

[rolexwatchfan]

From what I know, Customs wants the motherload- wholesalers importing serious volume. Registered mail is too slow and too restrictive for anyone trying to make a profit, so it gets quite a bit less scrutiny.

It's conspiratorial because like any other agency, they want to justify funding by pumping up long lists of figures and boasting of mass seizures. They want photo ops of steamrollers crushing thousands of nasty $2 Rolexes. Why would they bother with my 1 AP and a couple of straps, unless there's something more going on here?

Please stay tuned.

 

[almostthere]

I'm just upset that the td said it would be shipped out before cny. I guess it's not the tds fault for the matter. It was in the hands of the post.

 

[torobravo]

I wonder if S-F Express is safer. It is a China-based express courier that delivers locally through UPS.

For SF express international, if illegal goods are found, the sender´s account will be closed

 

[rek0001]

i went to grade school with a guy who works for Chi Customs now but I haven't seen him in 40 years, sowmehow I don't think he would help or understand lol...

Anyway, how long does HK mail take to Chicago?

 

[stxtf]

i went to grade school with a guy who works for Chi Customs now but I haven't seen him in 40 years, sowmehow I don't think he would help or understand lol...

Anyway, how long does HK mail take to Chicago?

Both of my packages took about 10 days to show up in a domestic sorting facility. Once in the country, it is first class (slow) mail.

 

[pcardoza]

So, if we have to live with 2-3 weeks transit time for a while, it's not the end of the world.

 

[rek0001]

OK, so maybe 2 - 3 weeks?

I can live with that as long as I don't have to worry about having my watch seized, I'm a worrier by nature, can't help it.

This Chi Customs thing is getting me down.

Don't buy a lot of watches, maybe 2 or 3 a year but I research a lot, go to AD, try it on, agonize a bit more and after all that when I decide on the watch - I really, want it...and now this customs BS.

 

[stxtf]

So, if we have to live with 2-3 weeks transit time for a while, it's not the end of the world.

Actually, my packages in the months before the seized one were unusually and extremely slow for EMS- see the thread on this board below. Used to always be 4-7 days from posting to delivery (with 8 days being my record long), and packages suddenly were taking weeks. Now I wonder if that was due to increased scrutiny.

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/197043

 

[electric]

Should we do a dummy service for people in Chicago? I'm in California, maybe a po box here would be good?

 

[electric]

Also isn't there a more expensive shipping method to get around customs?

 

[almostthere]

Cny is coming to an end and us customs will be seeing a huge influx of mail from China this might be a good thing for peeps in the usa for now. You figure too much to track. I was talking to a guy who works for a shipping company and says these guys check the manifest from certain places and ID certain packages to look at. So if the td peeps are smart they would start labeling differently.