My FT packages (mailed by FT about a week apart) have hit Chicago due to be delivered by Tuesday according to the updated tracking. No updates between Pre Shipment (Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment) to that. 
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NN in-bound (expected Monday).
This was a surprise... as usually, they start a tracking#, but it takes 1-2wks for it to actually move. I guess they're working their butts off right now.
HeartLand in-bound too (expected Wed).
3 FT orders shipped yesterday and in-bound. 1 already has a Compton update.
2 FT orders still waiting a "few days" for stock/shipment.
Might make another order for pei tanks.
All 3 3ef orders shipped. 1 in Compton (I guess it passed customs already) and the other 2 in-bound.
This was a surprise... as usually, they start a tracking#, but it takes 1-2wks for it to actually move. I guess they're working their butts off right now.
HeartLand in-bound too (expected Wed).
3 FT orders shipped yesterday and in-bound. 1 already has a Compton update.
2 FT orders still waiting a "few days" for stock/shipment.
Might make another order for pei tanks.
All 3 3ef orders shipped. 1 in Compton (I guess it passed customs already) and the other 2 in-bound.
My latest FT pkg was passed off to USPS last night. Delivery expected Tues. Last 2 pkgs were in my mailbox within 10 days of shipping although I noticed contents weren't listed as vape gear (filters and tubes).
I thought I was the only one who liked the basics. I was debating about hunting down more coils for them.
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I thought I was the only one who liked the basics. I was debating about hunting down more coils for them.
Sent from my LM-G850 using Tapatalk
My FT order is still in Grand Prairie Texas waiting to be passed off to USPS. Once that happens, it'll be a day before I get it.
I got one of those FT packages that was waiting to be picked up by USPS. That was the fastest I ever got a package from DHL holding point to my door. Probably get the other one next week.
Technically it means no more imports from China. In reality, who knows? A lot of these Chinese companies aren't so forthcoming on their customs forms. You could still order some 'filters', but run the risk of having your package confiscated and destroyed. The Chinese companies that only deal in vape supplies are either shut out or have to reconfigure. Those, like FT, that already have a large non-vape sales won't have any issues.
Wow... Haven't seen you in ages aikanae1.
Hope Everything is going Well for You and Yours.
This has been my experience as well. FT is good for the variety of items they have and their low prices. But there is a chance that they don't actually have what you order. Also, sometimes your order can just sit somewhere mysteriously during shipping for weeks or a month.
Despite that, all my orders reached me in the end. Even during the beginning of the pandemic in China when they were locked down.
I will say that they have been pretty good with me in terms of communication and followup customer service.
Just one more thing I would add. I am guessing that orders from Fasttech are going to go through even after the shipping ban comes into effect. Just too many orders going through customs for "filters" to be blocked. So I am not sweating it when it comes to my orders that are pending arrival. I rarely look at my tracking for Fasttech packages because it just causes anxiety. I just check once every few weeks.
Although the USPS date is still not finalized as far as I know, it sure is looking like somewhere around March 26-27 may be when most shipping to consumers becomes prohibited by all the major carriers. Now that DHL is done accepting ecig shipments on March 25, waiting to fill holes in one's stockpile beyond that is very risky.
Just remembered this, as I've been placing many orders of replacement parts, coils, etc.
Many many items from FT (especially replacements parts, clones, etc.) comes in unmarked, plain, little boxes or small plastic bags.
Even if a customs agent opens it (and they prolly only open 1-5% of things that pass through), it is very difficult to tell if it's even vape related (eg: glass, rta parts, mech mods, coils, etc.) and definitely looks like ordinary "tubes" and "filters" that can be used for anything.
On the other hand, the bigger vape brands with a lot of graphics/branding on their packaging (smok, eleaf, joytech, kanger, etc., etc.), now that's a diff story... those def look vape related and will likely get confiscated if opened (still, a small chance they will even open it... but yeah, there'll still be a risk to lose your money/package).
I have a feeling FT will use even more of their usual unmarked boxes, and other Chinese-made vape manufacturers will re-package with a much more plain appearance (perhaps even totally unmarked, like FT clones/parts).
Many many items from FT (especially replacements parts, clones, etc.) comes in unmarked, plain, little boxes or small plastic bags.
Even if a customs agent opens it (and they prolly only open 1-5% of things that pass through), it is very difficult to tell if it's even vape related (eg: glass, rta parts, mech mods, coils, etc.) and definitely looks like ordinary "tubes" and "filters" that can be used for anything.
On the other hand, the bigger vape brands with a lot of graphics/branding on their packaging (smok, eleaf, joytech, kanger, etc., etc.), now that's a diff story... those def look vape related and will likely get confiscated if opened (still, a small chance they will even open it... but yeah, there'll still be a risk to lose your money/package).
I have a feeling FT will use even more of their usual unmarked boxes, and other Chinese-made vape manufacturers will re-package with a much more plain appearance (perhaps even totally unmarked, like FT clones/parts).
Here's somewhat of a problem, though. On many items that aren't obviously vape related to the untrained eye, the Fasttech's packing slips might give it away as a vape item since the title/name of the item on FT often uses the terms related to vape. Or even a brand name with the word vape in it, like Vapesoon or Iwodevape.
The good news is that for other words like "e-cigarette", they usually appear at the end of the title so they are usually cut off on the packing slip.
For instance, you have a product like this, a 510 connector, which contains the term "E-cigarette" at the end of the title...
$6.64 510 Connector w/ Solder Ring Terminal for E-Cigarettes (5-Pack) - stainless steel + brass / 22mm dia. at FastTech - Free Shipping
But on the packing slip, most of that title won't even show (you'll see maybe only "nnnnn/510 Connecto+").
And will they know what a 510 connector is? Well, they will if they decide to research it. Also, they will see on the packing slip that it's from FT and can put in the SKU # on FT's website and see what it is. But are they going to go through that trouble? I dunno.
It's always a gamble, however in terms of most vape accessories, I wouldn't sweat ordering them from china personally.
This is a packing slip from 2018. Most of this stuff is 100% vape gear but as you can see most of it isn't recognizable as that. But the SKU #s, (removing the period from "item no.") could reveal it on their website.
I would expect FT to go back to e-packet not through 4PX (DHL) for all US shipments.
If you get a chance watch "To Catch A Smuggler" on natgeo.tv.
They highlight behind the scenes JFK and Miami customs operations.
They process many thousands of packages a day.
You will see many small white packages moving on the conveyor belt.
No labels are read unless they are pulled out for inspection.
Drug sniffing dogs walk the conveyor.
Goes through a scanner where inspectors look for packaging anomalies, odd densities, hidden compartments in boxes, etc.
Their main focus is drugs and banned agricultural products coming in.
After seeing this IMO small FT packages will not have any problems.
IMO....
If you get a chance watch "To Catch A Smuggler" on natgeo.tv.
They highlight behind the scenes JFK and Miami customs operations.
They process many thousands of packages a day.
You will see many small white packages moving on the conveyor belt.
No labels are read unless they are pulled out for inspection.
Drug sniffing dogs walk the conveyor.
Goes through a scanner where inspectors look for packaging anomalies, odd densities, hidden compartments in boxes, etc.
Their main focus is drugs and banned agricultural products coming in.
After seeing this IMO small FT packages will not have any problems.
IMO....
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Right but less customs scrutiny than DHL. DHL has its own customs facility in China.
FT doesn't care. I take the risk of confiscation.
Interesting. With the exception of DHL Ecommerce, that explains why I have heard of customers using DHL Expersss & getting hit with bills from DHL for "customs administration fee". That's why I refuse to use it. Can be as much as $50-60 per package I hear.
But USPS will ship filters and flashlights without a problem. (wink-wink)
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