Customs, Green Tape

[dorkface]

I got an envelope from my vendor that was sealed with green custom's tape. In it was a letter that said, essentially, it had contained controlled substances, but that they took them. If I do nothing, they will do nothing (but toss them in 30 days) but that if found trying to import in the future I may face personal prosecution or criminal charges.

How worried should I be?

Thanks.

 

[The Shattered Soldier]

I got an envelope from my vendor that was sealed with green custom's tape. In it was a letter that said, essentially, it had contained controlled substances, but that they took them. If I do nothing, they will do nothing (but toss them in 30 days) but that if found trying to import in the future I may face personal prosecution or criminal charges.

How worried should I be?

Thanks.

Not very.  These messages from customs are considered Love Letters or LL's.  In essence, we are notified that are shipment was seized.  It is recommended that you notify the vendor that you received an LL for a few reasons.  One being to let them know that their packaging might not be good enough to get across the border.  The other is so that they may reship the item free of charge.  So don't worry, nobody's going to be knocking at your door.  The majority of us who shop overseas get these letters from time to time.  They're a real bummer, but besides that, they're not even worth the paper they are printed on.

 

[dorkface]

Oh, that's what y'all mean by love letters! Still getting used to the lingo around here. Thanks very much.

 

[yellowbelly]

Not very.  These messages from customs are considered Love Letters or LL's.  In essence, we are notified that are shipment was seized.  It is recommended that you notify the vendor that you received an LL for a few reasons.  One being to let them know that their packaging might not be good enough to get across the border.  The other is so that they may reship the item free of charge.  So don't worry, nobody's going to be knocking at your door.  The majority of us who shop overseas get these letters from time to time.  They're a real bummer, but besides that, they're not even worth the paper they are printed on.

You pinned that tail on the donkey!

 

[Heisenberg / HNB]

You pinned that tail on the donkey!

Soldier knows his stuff!

 

[dorkface]

I can see that. Respect!

 

[enigmaticxrx]

this surely eases the minds of me and my loved ones /default_smile.png I'm still in the browsing phase. thanks for the info guys

 

[headbanger]

Just remember what you're ordering. Some items have more serious consequences if you're caught. Read as much as you can.

There are some precautions that can be taken to lessen the risks but some risk is always there. If you feel that you are not willing to take the chance then don't.

Luck has a lot to do with this among other factors. Again read more here and try to see how everything fits together. Lots of moving pieces and you just gotta know how to move around to best protect yourself.

 

[greenmaniac]

got my first green tape said it was inspected but everything was accounted for >:/

 

[Def_Starr]

sweet this answered my question in another thread 

 

[polygraph]

If you get an item with green tape but all was accounted for, do you think that means they really didn't inspect it? Or just looked the other way? Happened to me recently as well.

 

[Suzie]

I had that happen years ago and just assumed it was because it was  non scheduled.

 

[Suzie]

I'm reading about gov. forfeitures and there are several pages like this:

Seized on 06/25/2013; At the port of NEW YORK CITY, NY; COUNTERFEIT TOM &

JERRY COLORING BOOK; Valued at $0.00; For violation of 19USC1526(E), 18USC2323, 18USC2320
 
pages of counterfeit coloring books... I couldn't believe my eyes.  Lots of cuban cigars and clothes and very little of what we concern ourselves with here.

 

[Guest]

Omg a counterfeit coloring book? Wow