Clearomizers siezed at customs in CA shipped to FDA instead of us.

[John Phoenix]

The FDA released the clearomizers. But also demanded a $60 fee for their trouble. They also used UPS as their collector. In other words. The shipment that was already paid for came COD with the money going to the FDA.

Watch yourself folks. This looks malicious to me.

Have you asked a lawyer about this? Seems to me you were 100 % in the right, not breaking any laws. The FDA should not have a legal right to charge you for their irresponsible actions. Have you looked into the legality of this?

[roadkillstewie]

lo, turn about is fair play... take the FDA to small claims court. :-)

'Sue' for the CoD charge, seizure of your order & the delay incurred.

[bigjr]

Man what a great racket so my broke a.. state can just go hang out at the post office intercept peoples mail and then charge them to have it go where it was supposed to? Im suprized our politicians haven't figured that one out already

[AzPlumber]

Amazing the number of ways our Gov. will tap into the pay check. They get their big cut right off the top and chip away at what's left every day.

[Mac]

The last thing I want to do is put the company I work for on the FDA's hit list. I import very little and do it using an importer that I trust. It's annoying and lame that this happened. But it's very small potatos in the scope of what I am doing. Clearomizers make up only a fraction of the stuff I sell. I learned a long time ago that it doesn't matter if you are right or wrong. You don't stand up to enforcement agencies without hella deep pockets. We are a small company. No way we would even try it. Even if they ripped us off for 10 times that much.

[John Phoenix]

The last thing I want to do is put the company I work for on the FDA's hit list. I import very little and do it using an importer that I trust. It's annoying and lame that this happened. But it's very small potatos in the scope of what I am doing. Clearomizers make up only a fraction of the stuff I sell. I learned a long time ago that it doesn't matter if you are right or wrong. You don't stand up to enforcement agencies without hella deep pockets. We are a small company. No way we would even try it. Even if they ripped us off for 10 times that much.

And I'd say that's why they are still able to get away with this - if it is illegal. People enable them to get away with it by doing nothing.

You have good reasons to be reluctant, your watching out for a small business, family, not enough money to fight this etc. I understand this.

I'd say at least look into if this is legal for them to do or not. If you find it's not, there are many ways to go about getting something done about it in ways where your business or family do not become targets for a corrupt agency. You just have to gather enough facts and learn how to handle this carefully. What you do is get the law on your side and find the right people that can help you without you having to pay lots of money.

If it were me, and I found out this was illegal, hell yes I'd fight it some type of way. I'd still do everything I could to protect my family and business but if I didn't fight it in any way, I'd feel like I am not exercising my duty as an American to stand up for liberty and justice. The cards may be stacked where I could not win against corruption but I would not even know that if I didn't at least try, or at least go on a fact finding mission.

Who knows.. even though it sounds so wrong, what they did might be 100% legal. If it were me, I'd like to know either way.

[wfx]

customs has every right to seize and inspect. but the COD from the FDA part really bothers me. there's no way that should stand up. hope this situation doesn't get any worse. i would be proactive here and ask a lawyer to send the FDA a 'nasty-gram'.

[FAAmecanic]

That's a pretty gangster reaction. My importer just isn't that kind of guy. Honestly, I'm not anymore either. I used to be a real hard ass. But these days? I just have too much to lose for me to act like that, particularly regarding business matters.

Thats what Govnt organizations count on. Raping small businesses because they have too much to loose to fight it.

I know..been there and done that with the IRS and my small business. Ended up paying the IRS money, fines and interest, on what was a legitimate tax deduction only because to hire a lawyer would have cost me more than paying them.

THere is something seriously wrong when YOU have to prove your innocence to the USG, who is supposed to uphold and protect the constitution! IRS, FDA, EPA, OSHA, TSA are nothing more the Government sanctioned mafia strong arms with unlimited power.

Sorry you had to go thru this... just really sad. I totally sympathise with you.

[Song]

Its better then what Health Canada and DHL tried to pull on me, ordered e-liquid, customs seized it but apparently DHL got the empty package. Get this they tried to give me the empty box with a COD on it for customs clearance fees...

[Nic-holio]

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do NOTHING.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest. But I do understand not having the means to fight it.

Surely there must be someone they have to answer to.