People with experience dealing with Customs

[Oriana871]

Hi all,

I'm a bit confused about the Customs procedure. I've heard people say that if they keep it, it's toast, just say goodbye. I've heard others say that you can try to clear it yourself, at least get the electronics, or arrange to have it sent back to vendor for a refund. Someone said they send a letter, but when and what is the nature of the letter?

So here's my story. DHL called me but I missed the call. I've called DHL back so many times I can't even count but they never return my calls. Online tracking says the package is being held for clearance in Hamilton. It's been 4 days. I can't really justify driving to Hamilton and don't know how to contact Customs otherwise.

So it's in limbo and I'm not quite sure what my next move is. Any clear-cut help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[mwa102464]

Every pkg gets held for clearance, once it clears then you will receive it, be patient. Now if it says Customs has froze, confiscated or detained your shipment that is a different story. it can take up to a week or more at times when customs is busy some times, just be patient for a few days and see what happens next.

 

[Oriana871]

Thank you. DHL online says that "Broker notified to arrange for clearance" on Monday, which is the day that DHL called me. From then on it says "Clearance delay".

 

[K-man]

Thank you. DHL online says that "Broker notified to arrange for clearance" on Monday, which is the day that DHL called me. From then on it says "Clearance delay".

I'm in the exact same boat. They tell me that they'll arrange to have it sent to my town for clearance but getting straight answers or call backs is near imposible. I'm on hold with them as I type!

 

[Oriana871]

Oh yeah K-man I know we ordered from the same place at the same time and are having the same issues. You're on hold??!! I can't even get to that! Curious to know what # you're calling. I haven't been told a single thing yet, so you're further ahead which isn't much I know.

When they say they'll send it to your town, are they saying you have to clear it yourself?

 

[kanadiankat]

Thank you. DHL online says that "Broker notified to arrange for clearance" on Monday, which is the day that DHL called me. From then on it says "Clearance delay".

On this one you have to get ahold of DHL and ask them what the problem is. DHL brokers will not clear ecigs - so if customs is holding them DHL will request that you try to self clear the items.

If you have nic liquid - there is very little chance of clearing - though you can request that they remove the parts that won't clear (the liquid). If you get a nice customs officer - and you're polite and patient, they may help you with this - but they don't have to. It's voluntary.

Of course, much of it depends entirely on whether the shipment is considered "commercial quantities" or "personal quantities". If commercial - you need to get a broker and if the liquid is in the same package or part of the hardware (ie: filled cartridges) they will only send it back or ask you to surrender it to the crown. You should have 6 weeks to decide.

If it's a personal quantity and the eliquid can be easily and identifiably separated - you have a chance - it's just a chance though.

If there is no nic liquid in the package, and it's personal quantity, you have a good chance of self clearing it - though, again, it's not guaranteed - most people manage to succeed.

Good luck - hope it works out for you.

 

[Oriana871]

If there is no nic liquid in the package, and it's personal quantity, you have a good chance of self clearing it - though, again, it's not guaranteed - most people manage to succeed.

Thank you that's very clear and helpful. So I have to get a hold of DHL first, which is so far impossible.

As for the quote above, are you saying that just the electronic device with no liquid it can still be denied (realize in most cases it won't be)?

 

[xhaler]

I'm curious, because I've seen this asked about customs quite a bit on here -- why are you ordering from the US? I'm truly not being a smart-......I'm still a bit of a newb, so I feel like I'm missing something. Is it cheaper, or better variety? Obviously it comes with some risk so I was wondering if there was a benefit I'm not aware of.

 

[Oriana871]

Hi no worries, good question. I'm a newb also which is why I'm in this predicament. I ordered a unit from Europe simply because it was the one I wanted. Finding the most desired gear in Canada isn't easy. My mistake was ordering juice - and talk about being naive, I actually didn't see anything about nicotine in the juice so I thought it was ok. Oh well, live and learn. I don't mind giving up the juice at all, already have rec'd other juice from within Canada anyway.

I also ordered another e-cig from the US, again because it was the one I wanted. Only ordered empty cartridges however, simply because I figured I had enough juice. Waiting for the second device to arrive and it shouldn't be a problem - fingers crossed.

 

[Bullmastiffguy]

It's just the nic, in liquid form they give a problem with, if they even bother, everything else can go through. Make sure to contact the person your buying from to see if they ship discreetly or post their company logo all over the package, as its a sure bet they will check those. I think your better to be in contact before ordering outside the country, and you can buy almost everything in Canada so why bother...

 

[Oriana871]

Ok called some other DHL numbers and this is the story: I have to hire DHL as a broker or get my own broker to clear the package. I can self clear but only if I drive to Hamilton, which means also taking a unpaid day off work. Obviously DHL won't clear it, so my choices are to try another broker or send the package back. I'm sending it back to vendor.

 

[SloHand]

What a scam. Whether I order from inside or outside of Canada I always use the postal services. I have never had to (EVER) deal with brokerage charges when ordering from outside of Canada and relying on postal services. True, not always the fastest but whats the rush!?

I learned that lesson when I had to pay $45 brokerage fees for a $16 product (that was with UPS).

 

[kanadiankat]

Ok called some other DHL numbers and this is the story: I have to hire DHL as a broker or get my own broker to clear the package. I can self clear but only if I drive to Hamilton, which means also taking a unpaid day off work. Obviously DHL won't clear it, so my choices are to try another broker or send the package back. I'm sending it back to vendor.

That's probably the wisest.

If it's just hardware - there is always the chance that it won't clear. This is because Customs has been advised to hand all ecigs over to health canada for inspection. They are supposed to allow hardware to clear - but HC won't always do that. Then it's back up to Customs - who can decide to use their own protocol to clear it - or just take HC's clearance advice and refuse it.

Basically - most people have no problems with getting hardware orders - but it happens sometimes.

 

[Oriana871]

Well if it wasn't so far and so much trouble and also costly to try self-clearing, to maybe get the hardware, I might have done it. But practically it just doesn't make any sense. Then I would also worry about having to return defected items or order replacements, etc. from the same company.

Anyway I really appreciate all the great advice, thank you all.

I just want to have an ecig soon Back to the drawing board... what to buy?

 

[K-man]

Oh yeah K-man I know we ordered from the same place at the same time and are having the same issues. You're on hold??!! I can't even get to that! Curious to know what # you're calling. I haven't been told a single thing yet, so you're further ahead which isn't much I know.

When they say they'll send it to your town, are they saying you have to clear it yourself?

check ur PM!

 

[K-man]

Ok called some other DHL numbers and this is the story: I have to hire DHL as a broker or get my own broker to clear the package. I can self clear but only if I drive to Hamilton, which means also taking a unpaid day off work. Obviously DHL won't clear it, so my choices are to try another broker or send the package back. I'm sending it back to vendor.

They WILL arrange to send it to your city. Mine's on it's way from Hamilton to Ottawa at this very moment. I hope to have the whole self clear thing wrapped up by morning. I'll keep u posted.

 

[Oriana871]

They wouldn't arrange to send it to Toronto, believe me I asked

 

[Spartiatis]

It's just the nic, in liquid form they give a problem with, if they even bother, everything else can go through. Make sure to contact the person your buying from to see if they ship discreetly or post their company logo all over the package, as its a sure bet they will check those. I think your better to be in contact before ordering outside the country, and you can buy almost everything in Canada so why bother...

This is false. I have had 2 orders shipped back with no liquid in them at all. So have 3 of my friends. The letter they send say you cannot import them because they are classified as a medical device. What a bunch of bulls**t

 

[Oriana871]

Great then. Maybe I should just give up now and stick to analogs. Soon the Cdn vendors will be out of service and my gear will be rendered useless. I was so inspired...

 

[Slim Batz]

Generally speaking ... never use any courier service when shipping from US to Canada ... the charges for "in house brokerage services" are outrageous and stupid, especially since Nafta. I've had vendors ship via UPS even though they said they would use USPS ... many don't realize the difference. Use the postal service. My understanding is that if the declared value is over $20 Canada Post will collect the GST from you plus a flat $5 service charge ... and that service charge is flat ... same fee regardless of declared value. That said, just got a package for my kid from the US today that was sent thru the postal service with a declared value of nearly $100 and there were no additional charges ... not complaining but go figure....