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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 1, 2014 8:43:56 GMT -8
I ordered insects from one of our advertisers and completed the required paperwork (form 177) but the parcel was returned to the supplier with a cryptic "prohibited item" note on the usps tracking when I called USPS. My issues are:
1. Nothing I ordered is prohibited. 2. Took more than a month for US customs to decide. 3. USPS tracking shows it is on the way to me when it is not. 4. US customs responded after 7 emails with a form email which did not answer the question. 5. US customs via the phone told me that they could not track it once they had it so they do not know what they have.
I've tried (and I think succeeded) following the rules. I've never had a problem when I was starting out and not declaring items.
This system is what causes many to subvert the laws.
What do you think?
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Post by Chris Grinter on Aug 1, 2014 11:00:01 GMT -8
It can be as simple as a spelling error on the determinations that get the package rejected. It may seem ridiculous, but there have been notorious suppliers who intentionally misspelled species names in the past so when they were googled theirs was the only company that appeared.
When shipping internationally my museum avoids USPS and stick with carriers who know what they are doing with customs (FedEx/UPS/DHL). Those companies have an invested interest in seeing the packages reach the destination, USPS does not really care what happens to your box.
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 1, 2014 15:07:56 GMT -8
It has become apparent that you are very correct Chris. I've emailed the seller to see if FedEx is an option. The manifest does show the correct spellings with one exception: A spider is listed as "Nephila species" - Not having the species name might have been the reason but has not stopped others when inspected. I'll never use USPS again even if it costs a bit more.
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Post by mikelock34 on Aug 1, 2014 18:11:46 GMT -8
The us postal service is a worthless criminal organization that cheats and steals at will. You typically have no recourse against them.
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 4, 2014 5:47:57 GMT -8
The parcel was returned to the shipper with several items missing. USPS says to talk to Customs and Customs says to talk to USPS. Gives new meaning to the term "Going Postal."
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 4, 2014 13:34:01 GMT -8
So now the shipper notified me that many of the items were not in the box when they arrived. Customs tells me it wasn't them as they would have taken everything. They also claim that they do not instruct the USPS to send back to the shipper. Soooo, they told me if I can get a document from USPS stating that they were instructed to return it to the shipper then I am out of luck. Sending an email to USPS now.
Can you say "Pass the buck?"
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 5, 2014 5:24:49 GMT -8
Go to the local PO and get a name for a postal inspector. File a criminal complaint. Somebody ripped you off for fun- probably took some stuff to entertain his kids- and then came up with a BS story.
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 5, 2014 8:06:03 GMT -8
I just got back from the post office and off the phone with usps. Although I purchased and paid for the items, they will not open a case unless the shipper reports it. They will not provide anything to customs stating they were instructed to return the items.
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Post by mikelock34 on Aug 5, 2014 8:12:54 GMT -8
Go to the local PO and get a name for a postal inspector. File a criminal complaint. Somebody ripped you off for fun- probably took some stuff to entertain his kids- and then came up with a BS story. Total joke to do that. There are three departments that you have to deal with in the us postal service. Each time you contact one they send you to one of the others until you realize you will never get your property or compensation. Total criminal organization. Employees are typically from protected groups and they will not hold them accountable. I went to the state attorney generals office, the fbi, local lawinforcement. state law enforcement with every one of them sending me back to the postal service who do nothing. I hav etried several times due to the high number of packages stolen from our local postal facilities here.
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 5, 2014 8:20:48 GMT -8
Mike is right - USPS is a worthless thieving organization......
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 5, 2014 8:23:27 GMT -8
I've never been ripped off by a customer or a seller. I have now been ripped off by the Postal Service. Never again. Fed Ex or UPS for me from now on.
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 7, 2014 12:28:28 GMT -8
Here is what I received from Customs via Email:
Subject Tyson Youts complaint of mail returned to sender with items missing. Discussion Thread Response Via Email (Complaints Officer Zaepfel) 08/07/2014 04:10 PM Thank you Tyson, for contacting the CBP INFO Center (CIC) Complaints Branch online. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) appreciates you taking the time to email us.
CBP policy is to seize and destroy any packages imported that are contraband or contain prohibited or contaminated items. CBP does not ever advise USPS to "return to sender". Additionally, it is rare that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must open a package for examination. This is generally done if the postal declaration form reveals prohibited items, or there is an anomaly on the X-ray, or if a CBP Canine Officer alerts to a package, etc.
When a package is opened by CBP for examination, an official form is placed inside the package to notify the recipient that the package has been opened by CBP for inspection. The package is resealed with a special identifying tape. If something is removed from the package, an official Notice of Detention or Seizure is placed in the package before resealing. This notice details what was taken from the package, the law citing that allows this, and a number to call for further information. If there is no document inside your returned package, and it is sealed with a non-CBP tape, CBP did not open your package for inspection.
You are encouraged to take this issue up the chain of command at USPS.
You are also cautioned to only purchase items for scientific study from reputable educational vendors to prevent this type of incident occurring again.
Thank you again for contacting the CBP INFO Center Complaints Branch online.
Regards,
So I am trying to get the shipper to file a complaint with USPS who will not talk to the receiver. I knew there was laziness in USPS but major theft.
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 7, 2014 12:29:04 GMT -8
A big thanks to Customs for addressing my concern.
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Post by wingedwishes on Aug 9, 2014 3:08:53 GMT -8
The shipper is worried that USPS may retaliate if he complains. I can't blame him now.
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Post by papiliotheona on Aug 13, 2014 11:04:34 GMT -8
I have had essentially no good experiences with USPS in the past year. These robots have safe jobs no matter what thanks to Congress and the taxpayer.
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