I just had a pair of tires shipped to me from the uk that arrived yesterday (for the rc in my avatar, extra rears). They were shipped by an individual. I paid the higher shipping rate. My box arrived quite fast though it has the yellow tape on it "opened by customs". it was a random check I assume as I have had this happen on a few occasions. I order out of country a lot. I have had 3 packages opened by customs in the thousand plus I have received, and once customs put my boxes on the shelf for almost 3 months... it is rare but they do random check packages.