Okay, this is gonna stress me out until I know

[cindiwa]

What does "handed over to customs" mean on the ems site tracking? I see it landed in LAX and then it says "handed over to customs", is this normal or bad? (was a 150ish order for liquids/parts)
Should I be worried?

 

[Mouser]

I'll stand by and wait for a real answer too. But, I should hope that is normal, as everything we receive from overseas goes through cutoms. I have a pending order from BestEcig...

And, if tracking at the EMS website ever reports something like, "Destroyed without further thought" instead of "handed over to customs" then I'd be worried.

But, since I haven't yet tracked a package on the EMS website til now, either, I'd like to hear what others think, too -- do they report "turned over to customs" as a matter of course, or just when they are fixing to go out and blow it up?

 

[Jest]

I'm assuming that there's a long line for going through customs for packages, just as there is for people coming back into this country. Paperwork to fill out, and they just spend a lot of time checking everything over. It's just another step in your package's journey... and if they seize it, tracking can say it was a decision that was made out of their hands.

 

[lordmage]

to possiblities one custom contacts you telling you what to do to cliam it or that they destroyed it

 

[Liberate_Yourself]

When a product is shipped via EMS it is handed over to customs to inspect, and then the USPS takes it over, and delivers it. I wouldn't worry unless you get a phone call or an email about it.

 

[cindiwa]

When a product is shipped via EMS it is handed over to customs to inspect, and then the USPS takes it over, and delivers it. I wouldn't worry unless you get a phone call or an email about it.

THANK YOU thank you! I guess the wording threw me "handed over to customs" sounded so scary. Hopefully all will be well and I can have even more items in my horded arsenal

 

[Houdini]

So they actually destroy packages that they don't think should be getting through? I never knew that. I thought, unless it was illegal they would just sent it back to sender. Wow. Imagine being in charge of the destroying process. See something you like that will be destroyed, grab it and throw it in your trunk and take it home. I'm sure you'd get fired and arrested if caught but I guarantee someone has probably found a way to do it.

 

[yoLS]

I've tracked orders from EMS b4 that have been shipped to NYC and its never said "handed over to customs" before. Its possible customs seized your package for further inspection. Its possible they might not release your package as well because i've heard of customs seizing e-cig products and not releasing them. this is an example of one of my tracking orders

:Timing Site Status
　 2008-12-18 17:01:00 CIXI Posting
　 2008-12-18 19:07:20 CIXI Arrival at Sorting Center
　 2008-12-18 19:17:49 CIXI Despatch from Sorting Center
　 2008-12-18 22:25:32 HANGZHOU Arrival at Sorting Center
　 2008-12-18 22:47:00 HANGZHOU Despatch from Sorting Center
　 2008-12-23 21:59:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USJFKA Arrival at Sorting Center
　 2008-12-24 07:13:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 10016 Arrival at Delivery Office
　 2008-12-24 08:29:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 10016 Delivery

 

[yoLS]

damn now this has me worried about my current package coming through because its in the middle of china n NYC, hope it doesn't get stopped through customs now

 

[cindiwa]

damn now this has me worried about my current package coming through because its in the middle of china n NYC, hope it doesn't get stopped through customs now

This is what mine says in a not so neat copy and paste:

Timing Site Status
　 2009-03-03 21:31:00 City of Guangzhou Posting
　 2009-03-03 21:39:00 City of Guangzhou Despatch from Sorting Center
　 2009-03-03 22:40:00 GUANGZHOU Arrival at Sorting Center
　 2009-03-04 00:57:00 GUANGZHOU Despatch from Sorting Center
　 2009-03-05 14:00:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USLAXA Arrival at Sorting Center
　 2009-03-05 14:01:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USLAXA Handed over to Customs

 

[ZambucaLu]

　 2009-03-05 14:01:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USLAXA Handed over to Customs

I think I saw this on one of mine before....but it was released in like 2 days. I wouldn't worry......yet. LOL

Lu

 

[Flitzanu]

here's mine, so no worries...probably no worries.

2009-03-04 13:53:00UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USSFOA Handed over to Customs 　2009-03-05 14:21:00UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USSFOA Released from Customs

 

[cindiwa]

here's mine, so no worries...probably no worries.

2009-03-04 13:53:00UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USSFOA Handed over to Customs 　2009-03-05 14:21:00UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USSFOA Released from Customs

its been over 24 hours so far no word and its still in customs, I'll keep checking. Today is Friday, maybe they slack on Fridays and will let it go on Monday *crossing fingers*

 

[cindiwa]

its been over 24 hours so far no word and its still in customs, I'll keep checking. Today is Friday, maybe they slack on Fridays and will let it go on Monday *crossing fingers*

WHOOOO HOOO, I am hoping this means good news!!

2009-03-07 03:54:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USLAXA Released from Customs

 

[Vince1]

It's perfectly normal. Mine always says that. It may take a day or 2 to clear customs but it should be fine. I have one in customs now. See other thread.

EDIT-If it says released your good to go.

 

[Cellmeister]

I think most small orders are not going to have any issues coming in & going through customs.

What they (customs) would really be looking for are large shipments (large containers, not little packages) that are "marked" for what they have "listed to possibly inspect" to check on their list.

I really believe their is too much unnecessary panic here......

Hope That Helps!

 

[Coffee Addict]

Looks as if I was a lucky one.....
mine never got handed over to customs ( it seems)
and was delivered to...even with juice in it.
Timing Site Status
　 2009-03-02 11:00:00 XIAMEN Posting
　 2009-03-02 13:23:34 XIAMEN Arrival at Sorting Center
　 2009-03-02 13:51:53 XIAMEN Despatch from Sorting Center
　 2009-03-03 19:58:00 GUANGZHOU Arrival at Sorting Center
　 2009-03-04 01:07:00 GUANGZHOU Despatch from Sorting Center
　 2009-03-05 08:26:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA USJFKA Arrival at Sorting Center
　 2009-03-06 08:25:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 23017 Attempted delivery
　 2009-03-06 16:02:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28228 Attempted delivery
　 2009-03-07 09:25:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20171 Arrival at Delivery Office
　 2009-03-07 14:53:00 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20171 Attempted delivery

 

[jesysgrl]

I'll stand by and wait for a real answer too. But, I should hope that is normal, as everything we receive from overseas goes through cutoms. I have a pending order from BestEcig...

And, if tracking at the EMS website ever reports something like, "Destroyed without further thought" instead of "handed over to customs" then I'd be worried.

But, since I haven't yet tracked a package on the EMS website til now, either, I'd like to hear what others think, too -- do they report "turned over to customs" as a matter of course, or just when they are fixing to go out and blow it up?

This made me laugh. It reminds me of something my 23 yr old daughter would come and ask me. She keeps me entertained also.The blowing up part I mean. hahahaha She is the same daughter that thought the passenger side, side view mirror was for the passenger. lmao