MikeyJ Posted June 14, 2023 Report Posted June 14, 2023 I apologize in advance for submitting yet another newbie question related to shipping. In my very limited experience with EMS shipments of Nihonto, there is only a little time separating "presented to US Customs" and "accepted by US Customs." There may be a problem with my most recent shipment. According to EMS tracking, the packaged status has been "presented to US Customs" since May 27. There is no EMS update showing accepted or rejected by US Customs. So I emailed the shipper, and he said he would ask EMS to resolve. Since then, one week has passed, no update from EMS and the shipper has not responded to my follow-up email. EMS still shows status as "presented to US Customs on May 27." Is this normal, and if not, is there a course of action any of you more experienced folks recommend? Thanks for any insight. Mike Quote
Toryu2020 Posted June 14, 2023 Report Posted June 14, 2023 Better start making phone calls and read this thread... Quote
Tensho Posted June 14, 2023 Report Posted June 14, 2023 What does the USPS tracking say? It shouldn't take that long at all to clear customs. Quote
Larason2 Posted June 14, 2023 Report Posted June 14, 2023 I've had a package stuck in customs for months before (3 months in my case). In my case it was Canadian customs. Just keep getting the shipper to follow up on it, and keep calling customs about it. You'll get it eventually. I guess mail theft is possible, but that's never happened to me. Quote
DRDave Posted June 14, 2023 Report Posted June 14, 2023 I wouldn't worry about it. You'll probably see it move again pretty soon. 1 Quote
MikeyJ Posted June 14, 2023 Author Report Posted June 14, 2023 1 hour ago, Toryu2020 said: Better start making phone calls and read this thread... Oh man, that is not what I was hoping to read about. Just this last week I had a FedEx shipment from Japan (Koshirae for a Naginata) go missing after clearing US Customs - the last scan was at the FedEx terminal at the Nashville airport. I'm in the process of working with the sender to get a claim filed now. A Quote
MikeyJ Posted June 14, 2023 Author Report Posted June 14, 2023 1 hour ago, Tensho said: What does the USPS tracking say? It shouldn't take that long at all to clear customs. There isn't any USPS tracking, it hasn't been accepted by US Customs. EMS tracking says "Presented to US Customs May 27" - no updates since. Quote
Tensho Posted June 14, 2023 Report Posted June 14, 2023 53 minutes ago, MikeyJ said: There isn't any USPS tracking, it hasn't been accepted by US Customs. EMS tracking says "Presented to US Customs May 27" - no updates since. Use the tracking on USPS and see what it says. EMS is Priority mail express international once it gets over here. I've never checked mine via ems site. Might not say much more though. Quote
MikeyJ Posted June 15, 2023 Author Report Posted June 15, 2023 Good point, the USPS showed the same information as EMS - presented to US Customs May 27. No further update. Typically right after "Presented" to US customs is "Accepted by us Customs" then "Held by US Customs" then "Released by US Customs" and so on all the way to "Delivered by USPS" I understand there is sometimes delay at Held by US Customs, but in this case it was never Accepted by US Customs - so my question - if US Customs does not have it, who does (for the past 20 days)? At first I thought there was a problem with paperwork, but I "think" in that case it would have been be marked "Rejected by US Customs" - but I have never had that happen so I'm not sure. So now I guess either lost or stolen, or maybe Customs is holding it, but forgot scan it "Accepted" and then also forgot to scan it "Held"? Quote
Stephen Posted June 15, 2023 Report Posted June 15, 2023 Your latter two thoughts seem most likely to me. Which custom's port does it say arrived? I've had books go back and forth from Florida to Chicago three times before it was read right and sent to me. Quote
MikeyJ Posted June 15, 2023 Author Report Posted June 15, 2023 Thanks for your response, it was presented to US Customs at JFK, ultimate destination is Nashville. Quote
Toryu2020 Posted June 15, 2023 Report Posted June 15, 2023 I would call the customs office - I would start an inquiry with the USPS, make a stink or it could be lost for sure... -t Quote
Stephen Posted June 15, 2023 Report Posted June 15, 2023 (edited) I've had JFK hold for a month. See if you can get a number for them and what Tom said. Edit East coast hubs are the worst Do you know if the word "sword" on the label? Edited June 15, 2023 by Stephen Quote
Tensho Posted June 15, 2023 Report Posted June 15, 2023 JFK is the worst one to be sent to. Good luck complaining to USPS. USPS has no control over customs, completely different entity.. 1 Quote
MikeyJ Posted June 15, 2023 Author Report Posted June 15, 2023 3 hours ago, Stephen said: I've had JFK hold for a month. See if you can get a number for them and what Tom said. Edit East coast hubs are the worst Do you know if the word "sword" on the label? I would be more comfortable if it was on Hold, or even Accepted - at least I'd know that US Customs had it. "Sword" is on the invoice - "Antique Japanese Sword...Over 100 years old" so I'm guessing it's on the label too, though I haven't seen the label and the shipper went dark on me a week ago so I can't ask him. Quote
Stephen Posted June 15, 2023 Report Posted June 15, 2023 Nothing positive with that, I have had into customs in Chicago I waited and waited for the next two or three updates it came to my house without any warning daily delivery....only hope I can give. Not wanting to go negative too soon. Quote
Stephen Posted June 15, 2023 Report Posted June 15, 2023 Adon As mentioned JFK is one of the biggest busiest hubs in the US. Just for record I would contact USPS it takes forever hold on long time have em start inquiry with your EMS number at least you have it in file Quote
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