Anyone had a parcel opened by Customs?

vapour trail

A little while ago now I purchased a model from the USA. When it arrived I found it had been opened and blue packaging tape wrapped around it. There was a label stating that it had been inspected by Customs.
I quite often buy my models from overseas and this has never happened before.
Did customs think there might be something dodgey in the parcel? or maybe a false declaration, I don't know.
Has any one on this forum had their parcels inspected by customs? Does it happen regulary? And why?
Would really like to hear your thoughts!!!

steve kicic

so far only 2 as i remember being opened and then resealed and that was ages ago, so many models since then and no probs, have had a few take ages "as in 3+weeks to get to me in SA" but imagine customs hold ups or slack seller taking time to send.
steve kicic

QFA388

only once. They repacked it just as good as the seller and I still received it in reasonable time.
I believe customs in Australia keep records of buyers and I think they get to know what the person is bringing into the country.

lollomz

In Italy I sometimes pay customs fee who are for a "custom inspection", reality is that, in my case, all the packages with the fees never have been opened even if I payed a tax for it....

Lollo

C-Rex

Here in DK, no matter where my package were from, US or Asia, all large packages were checked and "resealed" with their customs tape, but everything was alright. I recieved them in time.

Santos

Here in Brazil it dependes which state you live in. In my state they open all the packages and add 93% of customs fees ! But in São Paulo state, where I have a PO Box, they don´t care for small boxes.

Once they hold a package for almost 6 months...

mjabbasi

It depends on the package. If its very large it gets opened but they don't take the contents out. They're packed in the exact same manner as the seller has placed them in. They only open it and look in from the top and close it and reseal it with of all things this black wax like substance and then they put a stamp on top of it.

There have been times where even some big packages of mine were never opened. I think they have my name listed at the PO now so they know exactly what comes for me.

Prestwick Pioneer

I have, its a pain. There is a nice charge levied, then a handling charge by Parcel Force.

L-1011-Heavy

I Had 2 Boxes Inspected In The Past 5 Years. Both Times, Nothing Missing Or Damaged & No Customs Fees Of Any Kind.
Been Over 2 Years Since That Happened So I Guess I'm Off The Suspect List For Illegal Drugs.

ELY707

All postal organizations conduct spot checks every so often. It has nothing to do with suspicion. On any given day, a lot (group) of parcels are put into a quarantine area. They are later moved to another room which is installed with cameras to record the opening of the parcels to protect them and you. The parcels are then repackaged and taped up with an official customs tape notifying this action. No fee is allowed to be charged for this inspection even if a duty is due on the parcel.
If you think the duty levied on your parcel is extreme or unjust, with Canada Post (I don't know about other foreign outlets), you can contest it.

ANA Mohican

As for me, most packages that come from Hong Kong & Taiwan get checked by US customs (Hawaii). Not UK, Canada, or Japan.

SANNY-LAX

Once I received model from BKK, US Customs opened, but nothing damage.

karun83

Yeah My Last Parcel Was Opened By The Indian Customs At Mumbai... But No Loss...

baxter66

From time to time, Customs randomly check parcels. customs peopel randomly check them. Customs people usually get a red flag when the addressee receives frequent parcels, they have a way tracking down parcels being mailed to same addresses...believe it or not. Unless you've been receiving parcels frequently, customs people wonder what items you are getting, if not, then it's just tough luck, you were randomly picked. Other parcels fall under the radar for inspection when they are suspicious, dubious,. etc. So, don't worry, this is just normal. What is impt is that it came with no damage.

ELY707

Quote: Originally Posted by baxter66 From time to time, Customs randomly check parcels. customs peopel randomly check them. Customs people usually get a red flag when the addressee receives frequent parcels, they have a way tracking down parcels being mailed to same addresses...believe it or not.

Actually they do not keep track of parcels received, they don't have the manpower nor the means to do that. Random checks happen and sometimes the country of origin may raise suspicion and be checked.