What To Do If Your Package Is Held By Customs

[watchmaster24 0]

Great!! US Customs has my package and it has been selected for inspection due to possibly counterfeit. What should I do? I found this out by calling US customs and asking them what is the status of a package. Anyone have this happen before and if so what are the chances they will release the watch to me?

First stop calling them. Wait to see what happens and report back when you are contacted by customs. If it's seized, some TDs will replace the watch but need to see a copy of the seizure notice, and will have to send to another name/address.

 

So I just received a letter in the mail yesterday and it says "notice of removal" from the US Customs/border protection. I have just emailed the TD a picture of the notice and waiting for their response. I'll keep everyone posted. Sad experience considering this is my very first purchase from a TD on this site.

[nunu78 1,741]

great post, thanks for sharing.

 

Great!! US Customs has my package and it has been selected for inspection due to possibly counterfeit. What should I do? I found this out by calling US customs and asking them what is the status of a package. Anyone have this happen before and if so what are the chances they will release the watch to me?

First stop calling them. Wait to see what happens and report back when you are contacted by customs. If it's seized, some TDs will replace the watch but need to see a copy of the seizure notice, and will have to send to another name/address.

 

So I just received a letter in the mail yesterday and it says "notice of removal" from the US Customs/border protection. I have just emailed the TD a picture of the notice and waiting for their response. I'll keep everyone posted. Sad experience considering this is my very first purchase from a TD on this site.

where do you based?

[black263 228]

Great!! US Customs has my package and it has been selected for inspection due to possibly counterfeit. What should I do? I found this out by calling US customs and asking them what is the status of a package. Anyone have this happen before and if so what are the chances they will release the watch to me?

First stop calling them. Wait to see what happens and report back when you are contacted by customs. If it's seized, some TDs will replace the watch but need to see a copy of the seizure notice, and will have to send to another name/address.

 

So I just received a letter in the mail yesterday and it says "notice of removal" from the US Customs/border protection. I have just emailed the TD a picture of the notice and waiting for their response. I'll keep everyone posted. Sad experience considering this is my very first purchase from a TD on this site.

And the inevitable delay in getting a reply because of CNY.

[watchmaster24 0]

I'm based in California. How long is CNY?

[greg_r 81]

I'm based in California. How long is CNY?

 

http://www.rwg.bz/board/index.php?showtopic=94216

[booblah4123 0]

Awesome Info! I feel much more informed. thank you!

[black263 228]

I'm based in California. How long is CNY?

Instead of asking, you could always have read this link at the top of the home page. "Our Latest News:IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ. Chinese New Year 2015 - Delays." And surprisingly, it's the same length even if you don't live in California.

[watchmaster24 0]

So any ideas as to what my options are now that the package has been seized? 1. I emailed TD but chinese new year and probably going to be a few weeks before I hear from them. Will he replace it for free? Do I call my credit card and ask for a chargeback?

[20Footer 0]

A big no on chargeback. Please do a little reading in the various noob sections. I understand your anxiety. As for replacement, it depends on the dealer. Usually they will explain on their sites what their seizure/replacement policy is. You might have wanted to read/known that before your order. Best of luck.....hopefully it's one of the guys who will replace item.

[zaqwsxmike 0]

So any ideas as to what my options are now that the package has been seized? 1. I emailed TD but chinese new year and probably going to be a few weeks before I hear from them. Will he replace it for free? Do I call my credit card and ask for a chargeback?

 

Don't do a chargeback, be patient and see what the TD will do for you. If you guys can't come to a satisfactory conclusion, then you should contact a mod.

[narikaa 129]

Applying for a chargeback of the grounds that customs have seized your illegal importation

 

 

 

That should make for a few guffaws at the water cooler at Visa HQ

 

 

 

.

[black263 228]

Beat me to it Reg.

[black263 228]

So any ideas as to what my options are now that the package has been seized? 1. I emailed TD but chinese new year and probably going to be a few weeks before I hear from them. Will he replace it for free? Do I call my credit card and ask for a chargeback?

 

Don't do a chargeback, be patient and see what the TD will do for you. If you guys can't come to a satisfactory conclusion, then you should contact a mod.

Mods can't help unless the seller is offering replacement for seizure and refuses to honour that. If a TD says in the terms and conditions that Customs risk is down to you, and they will not offer a replacement if customs seizes it, what do you expect a mod to achieve. That's why we say choose your dealer first. If you want customs risk to be covered, choose a dealer who provides that service. If you choose one that doesn't, then frankly you have no-one but yourself to blame.

[watchmaster24 0]

So any ideas as to what my options are now that the package has been seized? 1. I emailed TD but chinese new year and probably going to be a few weeks before I hear from them. Will he replace it for free? Do I call my credit card and ask for a chargeback?

 

Don't do a chargeback, be patient and see what the TD will do for you. If you guys can't come to a satisfactory conclusion, then you should contact a mod.

Mods can't help unless the seller is offering replacement for seizure and refuses to honour that. If a TD says in the terms and conditions that Customs risk is down to you, and they will not offer a replacement if customs seizes it, what do you expect a mod to achieve. That's why we say choose your dealer first. If you want customs risk to be covered, choose a dealer who provides that service. If you choose one that doesn't, then frankly you have no-one but yourself to blame.

 

But I assumed that if a dealer is on the "approved list" from this website then there is no risk. Why else have that list? Am I missing something here?

 

Also when I was emailing some of the Approved sellers about a certain watch, they said they had it and stressed to me that they are approved on this website and there is no risk of using western union or charing my card.

 

I will wait a few weeks to hear back from Toro Bravo. If I don't hear back then I'll contact one of the mods and see what I can do. Thanks for everyone's input and advice.

Edited February 21, 2015 by watchmaster24

[JSJ 0]

For me, buying reps now has some basic rules:

 

1. Don't buy it unless you can afford to lose all the money.

 

2. Expect you might have to fix it or pay to have it fixed when it arrives.

 

3. Tracking is only useful on a weekly rather than hourly rhythm. Sometimes tracking is completely useless.

 

4. Know what your basic requirements are. For example, if you can't live with a quartz or low beat rep of a high beat movement (like me), don't buy one. If you absolutely have to have decent lume (like me), try and check the lume quality beforehand.

It doesn't matter if other people say they don't care about the movement or lume.

Ignore this one and you waste your money.

 

These are all easier said than done, I know, especially at the start when you first order reps.

 

These are additional to the basic rules like only ordering from a TD and not opening disputes etc.

 

Overriding rule: Don't assume.

 

a: search

 

b: read and

 

c: ask if you don't find the answer by a and b.

 

Have fun!

 

[black263 228]

So any ideas as to what my options are now that the package has been seized? 1. I emailed TD but chinese new year and probably going to be a few weeks before I hear from them. Will he replace it for free? Do I call my credit card and ask for a chargeback?

 

Don't do a chargeback, be patient and see what the TD will do for you. If you guys can't come to a satisfactory conclusion, then you should contact a mod.

Mods can't help unless the seller is offering replacement for seizure and refuses to honour that. If a TD says in the terms and conditions that Customs risk is down to you, and they will not offer a replacement if customs seizes it, what do you expect a mod to achieve. That's why we say choose your dealer first. If you want customs risk to be covered, choose a dealer who provides that service. If you choose one that doesn't, then frankly you have no-one but yourself to blame.

 

But I assumed that if a dealer is on the "approved list" from this website then there is no risk. Why else have that list? Am I missing something here?

 

Also when I was emailing some of the Approved sellers about a certain watch, they said they had it and stressed to me that they are approved on this website and there is no risk of using western union or charing my card.

 

I will wait a few weeks to hear back from Toro Bravo. If I don't hear back then I'll contact one of the mods and see what I can do. Thanks for everyone's input and advice.

Trusted dealers can lay down any terms and conditions they wish and they are trusted to comply with them. If you don't like their terms you have the freedom to choose another. If those conditions clearly state that they will not replace a watch seized by customs dont expect support if it happens. If you don't like those terms dont buy from them. As it happens I believe that Toro is one of the TDs who do offer the guarantee. You will need to send him a copy of the seizure notice and he may well ask for a different name and address to send to.

[watchmaster24 0]

So any ideas as to what my options are now that the package has been seized? 1. I emailed TD but chinese new year and probably going to be a few weeks before I hear from them. Will he replace it for free? Do I call my credit card and ask for a chargeback?

 

Don't do a chargeback, be patient and see what the TD will do for you. If you guys can't come to a satisfactory conclusion, then you should contact a mod.

Mods can't help unless the seller is offering replacement for seizure and refuses to honour that. If a TD says in the terms and conditions that Customs risk is down to you, and they will not offer a replacement if customs seizes it, what do you expect a mod to achieve. That's why we say choose your dealer first. If you want customs risk to be covered, choose a dealer who provides that service. If you choose one that doesn't, then frankly you have no-one but yourself to blame.

 

But I assumed that if a dealer is on the "approved list" from this website then there is no risk. Why else have that list? Am I missing something here?

 

Also when I was emailing some of the Approved sellers about a certain watch, they said they had it and stressed to me that they are approved on this website and there is no risk of using western union or charing my card.

 

I will wait a few weeks to hear back from Toro Bravo. If I don't hear back then I'll contact one of the mods and see what I can do. Thanks for everyone's input and advice.

Trusted dealers can lay down any terms and conditions they wish and they are trusted to comply with them. If you don't like their terms you have the freedom to choose another. If those conditions clearly state that they will not replace a watch seized by customs dont expect support if it happens. If you don't like those terms dont buy from them. As it happens I believe that Toro is one of the TDs who do offer the guarantee. You will need to send him a copy of the seizure notice and he may well ask for a different name and address to send to.

 

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. What you said definitely gives me some hope .

 

For me, buying reps now has some basic rules:

 

1. Don't buy it unless you can afford to lose all the money.

 

2. Expect you might have to fix it or pay to have it fixed when it arrives.

 

3. Tracking is only useful on a weekly rather than hourly rhythm. Sometimes tracking is completely useless.

 

4. Know what your basic requirements are. For example, if you can't live with a quartz or low beat rep of a high beat movement (like me), don't buy one. If you absolutely have to have decent lume (like me), try and check the lume quality beforehand.

It doesn't matter if other people say they don't care about the movement or lume.

Ignore this one and you waste your money.

 

These are all easier said than done, I know, especially at the start when you first order reps.

 

These are additional to the basic rules like only ordering from a TD and not opening disputes etc.

 

Overriding rule: Don't assume.

 

a: search

 

b: read and

 

c: ask if you don't find the answer by a and b.

 

Have fun!

 

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and helpful reply. I value it immensely.

[casino 0]

I had doubts about paying extra to order from a TD, but after reading this posts it's TD all the way. Thanks for the share.

[tlick 0]

hopefully ill never need to use this thread but this is great info thank you so much!

[ssr1128 0]

What should you do if you receive a "non cafra form" from US Customs....through certified mail?

[Ahopkins1490 0]

Glad to know the procedures in a just in case scenario. Thanks!

[jer2911tx 0]

I just purchased a rep from a TD who preferred to ship to the U.S. via DHL because they never have a problem with customs. package was received with no problems

[shaunb84 0]

What a great sticky, keep up the good work!

[omega11 0]

thank you for this info as a potential out of country buyer

[niaz12345 0]

Nice..I recently face some delay hopefully it wasn't customs