- Status
Ben im so sorry...thats terrible...other than using a local customs broker (which its probably too late for any help with shipment #1 at this stage anyway) I really dont know.Newintx, thanks for the advice.
So, it's pretty official as of today.. The first order has been confiscated and is in holding. Supposedly it will be destroyed (or given as gifts at the FDA Christmas party).. Second one is on the way.
Don't know if I have any course of action with the first shipment or if I could hire anybody to help with with it... Anyone have any experience with this? This is the first time this is happened so any advice would be appreciated- even if it is to just move on
Ben
Ben...have you tried calling one here yet and asking their advice/help? (a customs broker)...there are many of them located near, in and around the JFK area.
...if you need someone for any local leg work (if it becomes necessary)...as i offered earlier, just send me a PM.
...if you need someone for any local leg work (if it becomes necessary)...as i offered earlier, just send me a PM.
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Ben,
I'm really sorry to read this.........you must be beside yourself!
Hopefully you'll be able to sort this out; in the meantime, I'm sending good vibes out to you!
I'm really sorry to read this.........you must be beside yourself!
Hopefully you'll be able to sort this out; in the meantime, I'm sending good vibes out to you!
You're more annoying than you look in your picture... your wife must be miserable for marrying you. =\
Why can't you understand the concept of Ben's pre-sale? This isn't Amazon bud, just live with it and wait or take the refund and shut up.
Ben, So sorry to hear of the first shipment being confiscated. Hope & pray they don't do this to the next shipment that's on the way. Did you try a different shipping option with the new shipment?
Arent there certain manufacturers being blacklisted now, or is it mostly size of the order thats catching their eye?
Horrible news Ben. Sounds like the suppliers are going to need to exchange notes in a best effort to avoid these kind of incidents.
thanks for the kind words and support everyone. Hangar, I called a customs broker this morning and am following up right now. I'll post updates as soon as possible
Ben
Ben
Ben - just incase you didnt see this yet:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ention-without-physical-examination-list.html
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ention-without-physical-examination-list.html
Ben,
I encourage you to call UPS and set up an account for their Air Freight Express. Tell them the issues you've been having and I'm sure they can help you in the future. Shipments with guaranteed delivery are the way to go because it is in the interest of the shipper to help you get it through Customs and they must have fast track channels to be able to offer guaranteed delivery times.
Was the air freight company who shipped the initial leg of the journey from China to the US also handling the Customs and continuing their service to the final destination within the US? I can't believe Customs can just seize the shipment and at least not return to the manufacturer. I don't understand how shipments of nicotine liquid can get through but not the vaporizing equipment. Maybe you should try shipping the kits without the catridges and labeling them as batteries with chargers (which they are). Assuming you and Vapor King use the same supplier you might want to ask UPS or your Customs agent if the China manufacturer is on some kind of an automatic confiscate list with Customs. It is becoming popular now to ship actual cigarettes from Europe direct to you on the States as people try to avoid the high taxes. It is quite a bit cheaper to ship a carton of cigs from Europe than to buy in the US and the nicotine content is higher too. That may have something to do with things too. Wish I could be of more help.
I encourage you to call UPS and set up an account for their Air Freight Express. Tell them the issues you've been having and I'm sure they can help you in the future. Shipments with guaranteed delivery are the way to go because it is in the interest of the shipper to help you get it through Customs and they must have fast track channels to be able to offer guaranteed delivery times.
Was the air freight company who shipped the initial leg of the journey from China to the US also handling the Customs and continuing their service to the final destination within the US? I can't believe Customs can just seize the shipment and at least not return to the manufacturer. I don't understand how shipments of nicotine liquid can get through but not the vaporizing equipment. Maybe you should try shipping the kits without the catridges and labeling them as batteries with chargers (which they are). Assuming you and Vapor King use the same supplier you might want to ask UPS or your Customs agent if the China manufacturer is on some kind of an automatic confiscate list with Customs. It is becoming popular now to ship actual cigarettes from Europe direct to you on the States as people try to avoid the high taxes. It is quite a bit cheaper to ship a carton of cigs from Europe than to buy in the US and the nicotine content is higher too. That may have something to do with things too. Wish I could be of more help.
These are all great points, thank you. The carrier was "AAE EXPRESS". They have their own customs brokers.
I'm curious about the guaranteed shipments..I understand that it's in their best interest to make sure it gets through as they want repeat express guaranteed business, but surely they have a clause protecting them from insuring the shipment in the case of customs refusal. (I only assume the inspectors are not UPS employees) I am going to be shipping everything separate in the future and will look into packaging them once they're stateside. I'm sure I can pack a lot more into a box that way anyhow
Ben
I'm sure that UPS has some caveats about their "guaranteed" delivery times for Express Air Freight. But if they didn't succeed far more than they fail at getting things rushed through Customs they wouldn't offer the service and charge a SIGNIFICANT amount more to do it. Their Express shipments already have the wheels greased to make it through in a timely fashion. Businesses talk to one another and if lots of owners start having trouble with UPS AFTER they pay more to get their items quicker, UPS will lose business. Try it once and see how it goes. But be sure to discuss with UPS and your vendor exactly how the manufacturer should declare the items, details on the Proforma Invoice, etc. The devil is in the details and the details are in the paperwork because we all know that the e-cig and nicotine carts aren't illegal. However I do think you have a better solution by shipping the items separate and repackaging in the US. Even if you had to buy empty carts from China and start your own small filling operation where you create your blister packs for the carts in the US. just a thought if you start having trouble getting the carts in after you separate things.
Ben,
I copied this from UPS's website. Evidently only their Air Freight EXPRESS shipments have the service of Customs Clearance and it appears as though the Customs Clearance is in house with UPS. Just FYI. Anyway I hope this helps in the future. When I shipped via UPS I asked my China manufacturer to handle everything and gave them my UPS account number. They chose the Express option for me and I was a little ...... after I got the bill. However they must have known that it leads to less hassles as they are shipping into the US all the time.
Customs Clearance
I copied this from UPS's website. Evidently only their Air Freight EXPRESS shipments have the service of Customs Clearance and it appears as though the Customs Clearance is in house with UPS. Just FYI. Anyway I hope this helps in the future. When I shipped via UPS I asked my China manufacturer to handle everything and gave them my UPS account number. They chose the Express option for me and I was a little ...... after I got the bill. However they must have known that it leads to less hassles as they are shipping into the US all the time.
Customs Clearance
- Customs clearance will be provided by UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. for UPS ExpressSM Freight service.
- UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. can provide customs clearance service for other air freight services on written request.
- For more information, refer to the UPS Air Freight Terms and Conditions of Contract.
Use the track by refrence number
the shippment is in Clearwater FL
according to ups tracking.
the shippment is in Clearwater FL
according to ups tracking.- Status
