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[Maggiemw]

For the sake of accuracy, this is what Geek has posted as a sticky over on the FT forums.

HK Post: Delay In Outbound Air Mail Services (10 September 2013)
10 September 2013
Delay In Outbound Air Mail Services

To safeguard aviation security, Hongkong Post does not accept the sending of air mail items (including Speedpost) that contain dangerous articles such as perfumery products, lighters and lithium batteries. Hence, all mail items entering the Air Mail Centre are subject to x-ray screening. Recently, there is an increasing number of air mail items detected to contain suspected dangerous articles, in particular, lithium batteries, which lengthens the screening process. In this connection, air mail registration service, iMail service and Bulk Air Mail service may be subject to delay. Any inconvenience caused is much regretted.

Source: Hongkong Post - Notices - Delay In Outbound Air Mail Services



The postal union has launched a wave of scrutiny yesterday which covers all major postal airmail shippers in Asia.

fasttech confirms that all battery/e-liquid airmail packages are being affected at this time. This includes HKP/USPS, and Singapore Post.

Here is what's happening:

1. Packages with primarily e-liquid and/or batteries in them are now more likely to get caught and get returned to us. We'll refund in those cases.

2. Packages *not* containing e-liquids/batteries will ship normally via SG post at regular speed. However those shipped via HK post will get delayed by 5 to 7 days (as we're told) as they queue up for the new mandatory x-ray scans.

If you have previously requested us to put you on Hong Kong Post only list, you may want to consider getting off that list to avoid the added wait time at Hong Kong Post.

Again, until this loosens, there is a higher chance for packages consisting of only e-liquid and/or batteries to be returned to us by shipping carriers. When they are returned, we will fully refund customers and cancel their affected orders.

We'll monitor and update as this situation develops.

We apologize for this and thank you for your understanding.

So, this is not a question of 9/11. Apparently it is a regulation from 2009 being enforced now.

The words "primarily" and "only" are important, in connection with what's in your packages. If you have 12 items in your order and only one is a battery or a bottle of eliquid, your package is NOT primarily batteries or liquid. I suspect that someone ordering ONLY liquid or ONLY batteries would have his package sent back to FT.

It is not known yet how long the crackdown and enforcement of the 2009 security regs will last. What is certain is that there are going to be a lot of delays, and that these delays are not FT's fault. Everyone shipping via airmail is affected.

 

[KillaKat]

I ordered 8 items, 4 of which were batteries and no liquids. I ordered on the 31st, shipped on the 3rd, and has been sitting at origin post since the 4th. This is my first order from them, and I totally understood that it could take 2 weeks to get here, but if I was aware it would take this much longer, then I wouldn't have ordered. I have only one battery and one evod, and I would've bought stateside if I knew all of this. Now I know, and will not leave myself in this predicament in the future when I order from them.

 

[OzarkTroutBum]

I ordered 8 items, 4 of which were batteries and no liquids. I ordered on the 31st, shipped on the 3rd, and has been sitting at origin post since the 4th. This is my first order from them, and I totally understood that it could take 2 weeks to get here, but if I was aware it would take this much longer, then I wouldn't have ordered. I have only one battery and one evod, and I would've bought stateside if I knew all of this. Now I know, and will not leave myself in this predicament in the future when I order from them.

The whole chain is going to be affected with increased scrutiny. I've got a package of nothing but clearos that's stalled several days too.
Once they (Chinese govt) figure out how much revenue its costing them they'll figure out something different.

This will soon catch up to the US retailers as their stocks dwindle and they go to reorder too so they'll be in the same boat (literally) as we are.

 

[IMEDICx90]

well looks like batteries need to be purchased with mods and at a point where there are more mods and less batteries... glad i only bought 2 mods, but im kicking myself for buying them seperately(had a long debate with myself and eventually myself won and i bought a second nemesis clone). But i see no reason not to continue ordering from them... we just have to be more strategic in our orders.

 

[Maggiemw]

I ordered 8 items, 4 of which were batteries and no liquids. I ordered on the 31st, shipped on the 3rd, and has been sitting at origin post since the 4th. This is my first order from them, and I totally understood that it could take 2 weeks to get here, but if I was aware it would take this much longer, then I wouldn't have ordered. I have only one battery and one evod, and I would've bought stateside if I knew all of this. Now I know, and will not leave myself in this predicament in the future when I order from them.

I can just imagine that FT, like all the other reseller/exporters of lithium batteries and e-liquids in East Asia, is probably pretty frantic about this enforcement of shipping regulations. If the HK airmail authority has decided to x-ray every package going through the air freight facilities, there must be an awe-inspiring mountain of stuff waiting to be checked. If SingPost is doing the same thing...the consequences on the speed and contents of air trade are just incredible.

The stuff I have coming doesn't contain batteries or liquids, for once. But FT is my main source of eliquids...it's already impossible to get publically here, due to our Health Ministry. I've got a fairly good stockpile, because I had an inkling something like this could happen, but I'll breathe (and vape) a lot more freely when and if the regulations are relaxed a bit again.

 

[bluecat]

Well, my package that was in the SF black hole has finally moved...

Depart USPS Sort Facility RICHMOND, CA 94804 September 11, 2013
Processed through USPS Sort Facility RICHMOND, CA 94804 September 10, 2013 7:03 pm
Depart USPS Sort Facility SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94128 August 26, 2013

Wonder why it went from San Fran to Richmond.... 3 orders with FT and none of them went through Richmond.

Straight from HK to San Fran to Cincinnati to me.

 

[Jerms]

Went ahead and ordered the Nemesis clone. I know with FT it's best to order and forget it, but screw it... getting excited!

Also decided to try their Mach 3 razors. Not sure if I chose the best ones or if there's a difference between the few options of Mach 3 they have, but giving these ones a try. Great price. http://www.fasttech.com/product/1302401

Also my last order placed a few days ago was just batteries. Doesn't matter to me how long they take, just hope they're able to get to me.

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[Capt.shay]

I don't know guys. I just recieved a ticket that they "discoverd" during packaging that one of the items was incorrect from the factory and they will replace it as soon as there is new stock. This is from a package that they said they sent out on the 7th? They started the new order dated today. For an item that was supposedly packed days ago and suppose to be sitting in HK post now. I ordered this over a week ago. In fact, I started this order two weeks ago and had the whole gift certificate ordeal that I reported here.

They are FUBAR over there right now. This is not HK Post I'm talking about but FT itself. I have had multiple problems with this order (that I ended up splitting for the sake of expediency and then they have split again over a week after my order). I will not be ordering until I see things settle back down. If you do, I think it is a bit of a dice roll. Might be worth it but I wouldn't order anything at all time sensitive.

 

[Cavediver]

Also decided to try their Mach 3 razors. Not sure if I chose the best ones or if there's a difference between the few options of Mach 3 they have, but giving these ones a try. Great price. $4.41 Gillette Mach3 Replacement 3-Blade Razor Cartridges - EU (4-Piece Pack) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

Lol. I had no idea they carried that type of thing. If you remember, would you drop me a line and let me know how these work out?
But please, don't dismantle anyone.

 

[Jerms]

Lol. I had no idea they carried that type of thing. If you remember, would you drop me a line and let me know how these work out?
But please, don't dismantle anyone.

Lol, too funny.

Yeah, I'll report on them. They had another listing for them that said they are Gillette but made only for distribution in China, as they have thinner blades. Maybe because Asians have less and finer facial hair, so the razors don't need to be as robust? No idea, nor do I know if this listing is the same ones. Even if they last only half as long as the Mach 3 razors I've been using it's still a good deal. Mach 3's are great razors with a long life, but are very expensive.

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[Penn]

I stopped frequenting this thread some time ago since I kept finding new stuff I wanted to buy. I had no trouble refraining but I didn't want the temptation. Over a 1 week period, I had catastrophes that led to me only having 1 ego. I also saw V2 of MVP was the item people were getting from FT so I decided that sounds good at $45 since it would probably be that much to replace my other stuff. I never had an FT order ship in considerably less than 24 hours until this one (but I never ordered just one item until this one) so I was thinking I might get it early.

Then I decided to check this thread. Now I see all this about delays. I figured I could make due with 1 ego until the end of next week since usually my Tuesday and Wednesday orders arrived the following Thursday - Saturday. I don't know if I could stretch frequent top offs off an ego that long.

This also goes with what a worker at a head shop told me, but the opposite of what is stated earlier here. Their distributor for their vape supplies said a large shipment (about a month ago) from China was either seized or sent back due to BOTH liquid and batteries being in the same shipment. Granted, that was pallets of stuff as opposed to what we get but I wonder if that relates.

 

[Chablo]

What are your favorite juices from there? So far for me it's Hangsen Juicy Peach and Dekang DK-TAB

Just ordered the peach! Berry mix/apple/blueberry are my favorites. Liqua and Dekang.

 

[Scope666]

Just ordered the peach! Berry mix/apple/blueberry are my favorites. Liqua and Dekang.

Ah, cool... I have some of the Berry Mix on the way. I have the Citrus Mix now but it's a little too weak IMHO.

 

[dw'struth]

Went ahead and ordered the Nemesis clone. I know with FT it's best to order and forget it, but screw it... getting excited!

Also decided to try their Mach 3 razors. Not sure if I chose the best ones or if there's a difference between the few options of Mach 3 they have, but giving these ones a try. Great price. $4.41 Gillette Mach3 Replacement 3-Blade Razor Cartridges - EU (4-Piece Pack) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

Also my last order placed a few days ago was just batteries. Doesn't matter to me how long they take, just hope they're able to get to me.

Sent from my LGL55C using Tapatalk 2

I wouldn't get high hopes for the razor blades....if they are anything like the Fusion blades that I got. It's a shame, too. How great of a deal would that be if they were the same as one finds in retail stores!

 

[Chablo]

Ah, cool... I have some of the Berry Mix on the way. I have the Citrus Mix now but it's a little too weak IMHO.

berry was too but it was decent and im picky! i was going to grab the citrus. What mg lvl do you vape?

 

[funkyZero]

Ah, cool... I have some of the Berry Mix on the way. I have the Citrus Mix now but it's a little too weak IMHO.

There's a good chance you won't like the Berry Mix flavor. I didn't, it had a funky taste to it.
BUT, in the case you don't like it, you put it away for 3-4 weeks and let it sit, it actually turns really pleasant... which is sort of uncommon for fruit flavors. I've seen others comment on the same, letting it sit will make a tremendous difference. I didn't like the citrus either, but I can't find it now so I don't know how much if any that it changes over time. I'll find it sooner or later.
I've gotten hooked on the Liqua American Blend and Traditional Tobacco. It's so cheap and tastes so good I've hardly even messed with my DIY lately.

 

[Scope666]

berry was too but it was decent and im picky! i was going to grab the citrus. What mg lvl do you vape?

These days I've been buying between 6-8 ... my devices are getting too good (IGO-L, Ithaka, Oddy) so they throw a lot more nic at you.

;-)

 

[bluecat]

I wouldn't get high hopes for the razor blades....if they are anything like the Fusion blades that I got. It's a shame, too. How great of a deal would that be if they were the same as one finds in retail stores!

Dang.. was hoping to get some here soon when my stock dwindled at home. If they are garbage, then nada for me.

 

[Scope666]

There's a good chance you won't like the Berry Mix flavor. I didn't, it had a funky taste to it.
BUT, in the case you don't like it, you put it away for 3-4 weeks and let it sit, it actually turns really pleasant... which is sort of uncommon for fruit flavors. I've seen others comment on the same, letting it sit will make a tremendous difference. I didn't like the citrus either, but I can't find it now so I don't know how much if any that it changes over time. I'll find it sooner or later.
I've gotten hooked on the Liqua American Blend and Traditional Tobacco. It's so cheap and tastes so good I've hardly even messed with my DIY lately.

My wife kind of does a hybrid DIY thing. She likes DK-TAB as a base, and then she'll add one or more flavors like banana, blueberry, strawberry, vanilla, etc. depending on her mood. I actually got her some real flavors from Mt Baker for this purpose, but honestly their strength doesn't feel any different then a regular eliquid.

Definitely agree about steeping the ones that aren't good out of the mailbox. I have some Hangsen RY4 sitting with the cap off to try and get the aftertaste out of it right now.

 

[Jerms]

I wouldn't get high hopes for the razor blades....if they are anything like the Fusion blades that I got. It's a shame, too. How great of a deal would that be if they were the same as one finds in retail stores!

I wouldn't be surprised if they were great or terrible; at least only a few bucks to find out. If they are great, that would save me a lot of money in the long run.

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