Held up in customs


I just purchased a CD player from a gentleman in Vancouver and had it shipped UPS Expedited 2 day. When the package got to the states it was placed on customs hold. When I spoke to someone at UPS they said it would take at least a couple of days and customs could do whatever they wanted to the package or simply keep it. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had any experiences with the Customs Service or FDA in regards to international shipments.
128x128jond
Customs is *NOT* the issue.

This is a good example of why many non NA buyers are very hesitant to deal with NA sellers
(no experience with these issues, or how to solve problems like this, or better yet, how to AVOID them in the first place).

The problem has ZERO to do with duties, NAFTA, customs broker, etc. Zero.

Laser and its approval via the FDA is the issue and the only issue.
If it has not been approved than it has to be before it can be shipped to the U.S.
This is a slow and annoying process (with the FDA).
Hopefully this model has been approved already.
Check with the mfr or most recent importer.
They will have to fax you a few pages, you fwd them, and that's it
(assuming they exist). Don't delay, FDA has no problem with sending items back, seizing them, or "liquidating" them (aka: destroying them), and regular ship insurance does NOT cover this.

Brian@Hello.lt

Customers in every U.S. state and 48 other countries.
wir sprechen deutsch / angol/ingles/englisch / hablamos en espanol / beszelunk magyarul!
Hello,

I would bet that the individual who sent the unit from Vancouver did not send it along with the proper form that must accompany laser devices. If this form is not supplied in triplicate along with the statement of origin delays can occur at customs. It is important to make sure the person sending you the item is aware of what is required by customs in the way of paperwork. This is not always the case when dealing with someone who rarely or never ships internationally.

Gene
When I called UPS about shipping to Canada, I was given a price and told that the Web site has all the NAFTA forms. I was also told the price did not include any customs and/or brokerage fees that might apply.
Sadly, I think that a lengthy hold-up is a real possibility. If memory serves, there was actually a closeout deal some years ago on a cd transport or player (want to say a Roksan model, but I'm not sure) where the stated reason for the pricing was that the goods had been held up in customs long enough to frustrate their originally intended distribution. I believe the merchandise ended up with Audio Advisor.
For what it's worth, I live in Canada and have bought numerous audio products from the US. There has *never* been any delay - and that includes a CD player. I have also shipped to thhe US from Canada. Again, no problem.There is a bit of extra paperwork but it's really quite simple.