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Post by entoman on Jan 28, 2018 19:47:14 GMT -8
I have a friend who recently purchased some specimens from someone in Canada. Both he and the person selling the specimens had all their permits in order for the specimens in question but the sender failed to place a label on the package marking it for inspection on entry to the US. My friend has been told by Fish and Wildlife that he is responsible for ensuring that the packages he receives are properly labeled (never-mind the fact that he did remind the person he was receiving the specimens from that the label was necessary) and gave him a warning. Apparently you only get one warning and if this same scenario were to play out again he would be held criminally responsible. Does this sound correct? I wouldn't put it past the regulators to hold people responsible for things that ultimately are outside of their control but I would like to think that this is not actually the case and that the Fish and Wildlife personnel are mistaken. If this is a mistake on the part of Fish and Wildlife would any of you know what steps my friend would be able to take to go about getting his warning removed so he doesn't have to worry the next time he orders specimens from someone?
Regards,
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2018 20:29:05 GMT -8
First.....this is exactly why I stopped importing bugs into the US. I will refrain from citing all the reasons and experiences I've had with these goons. Suffice it to say that us common folk are being screwed out of a facet of the hobby......sad.
Now, for the poor importer who tried to do the right thing, but was unable to hold the hand of the Canadian seller, I'd suggest he print out the deal transactions including their reminder to the seller. Then I'd suggest he contact the USFW national offices, tell his story, provide dated email proof of compliance and request they investigate.
Honestly, the whole importing thing is not worth the headaches as I see it. Until some changes are made, the USFW people hold all the cards and they will continue to be non-helpful. Also remember that person A at USFW could tell you one thing and person B at USFW could totally disagree and guess who is help accountable?
Sorry I was not much help, but what I said comes from my heart and having gone through many such situations in my importing years of past, I'm inclined to respond as I have here.
Good luck.....
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Post by Paul K on Jan 28, 2018 21:10:36 GMT -8
...I said it before and will say it again: thanks God I'm not living in USA. I can't imaging coming back from Thailand two, three times a year and go thru all that USFW non-sense all the times, 🤮 I really feel sorry for all of you guys up there.
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 29, 2018 4:52:43 GMT -8
Best thing is to call the USFW, to send them all required permits and explain it is an error from the seller. There should be no problem if they really have the permits.
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antsrule
Junior Member
Winter is killing me.
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Post by antsrule on Jan 29, 2018 12:47:17 GMT -8
I live in the U.S. and feel less patriotic everyday, for good reason.
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Post by jshuey on Jan 30, 2018 6:11:16 GMT -8
...I said it before and will say it again: thanks God I'm not living in USA. I can't imaging coming back from Thailand two, three times a year and go thru all that USFW non-sense all the times, 🤮 I really feel sorry for all of you guys up there. People tend to exaggerate their problems. I travel into the US a couple of times per year with dead bugs, and if anything, the system has gotten easier over the last few years. You just need to follow the rules and give people a heads up in advance of your arrival. Likewise – I’ve never had a problem with packages mailed to me from overseas. Again – just follow the rules and there are no problems. Bitching and moaning is more fun than commenting about the times you didn’t have any problems – so guess what you hear about. John
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Post by exoticimports on Feb 4, 2018 16:23:17 GMT -8
I also abandoned my license due to harassment my some at USFWS.
Don’t forget the last word in USFWS is SERVICE. There should never be hassles or threats from a government agency. If more people complained about government corruption and abuse maybe something would get fixed.
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Post by catocala59 on Feb 5, 2018 8:30:14 GMT -8
I've only used the FWS inspection system twice, once for import and once for export (both were personal shipments) and on both occasions I found the staff at my local FWS office in Seattle very helpful and professional.
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Post by damoose on Feb 19, 2018 16:37:18 GMT -8
Importing bugs into the US can be very frustrating. I have a small parcel that has been stuck in San Francisco for weeks. All of the right paperwork is in order and the shipper is an experienced supplier. I have been unable to get an explanation or update from Fish and Wildlife.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2018 21:10:29 GMT -8
Catocala59,
Funny you should mention the Seattle office. Of the multitude of places I called back when I imported, it was Seattle that had the nicest most helpful people. It was a shame that they couldn't have been my port of entry. I tried to ask them to be my port of entry, but they said it would raise too many flags.
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Post by johnnyboy on Mar 6, 2018 23:33:21 GMT -8
In the UK and France there are very few restrictions on importing insects. I have heard of CITES birdwing specimens that, despite having all the correct documentation, were all broken during a customs inspection at Heathrow ( the people who were looking at them obviously had no idea what they were doing or looking at) and were rendered worthless. My friend, who was a part time butterfly and general insect dealer, lost several thousand pounds and lost heart, he stopped dealing in the mid 1990s. That was a real shame as he always saved me the best specimens and had good contacts around the world.
Johnny
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Post by papiliotheona on May 28, 2018 7:06:15 GMT -8
People tend to exaggerate their problems. I travel into the US a couple of times per year with dead bugs, and if anything, the system has gotten easier over the last few years. You just need to follow the rules and give people a heads up in advance of your arrival. Likewise – I’ve never had a problem with packages mailed to me from overseas. Again – just follow the rules and there are no problems. Bitching and moaning is more fun than commenting about the times you didn’t have any problems – so guess what you hear about. John For a professional university/government/research employee or affiliate the above is likely true. For a "citizen entomologist", i.e. a lay hobbyist, we are indeed screwed more and more each year.
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Post by papiliotheona on May 28, 2018 7:09:25 GMT -8
I also abandoned my license due to harassment my some at USFWS. Don’t forget the last word in USFWS is SERVICE. There should never be hassles or threats from a government agency. If more people complained about government corruption and abuse maybe something would get fixed. Remember these are folks who are morally opposed to collecting or selling living or formerly living things; they see no difference between a tiger and a beetle. FWS is literally half a step separated from PETA.
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