snj_2000

our container was stopped and searched by US customs. The info we have from our movers is vague at this stage! We forgot about some herbs and some cornmeal which we packed by our superfast packing company in the UK (purely accidental, we weren't trying to smuggle them in, they were supposed to come in our suitcases)
What happens if they found them? We know we will be charged for the search, and that the search could have been a random one and they may have found nothing, or the stuff might not be considered a problem. Just wondering if anyone had experience of this?

scrubbedexpat099

Herbs?

Pulaski

" 'Erbs". You're in America now!

Pulaski

(i) There's a good chance they didn't find much, if anything, of the stuff you're concerned about
(ii) If it was culinary herbs in thumb-sized jars the worst likely outcome is they'll be confiscated.
(iii) Unless your container had contraband quantities of prohibited materials absolutely nothing will come of it, other than the fees and charges for the search and storage.

notonuksoil

Our container got selected to be searched too.

It got put into a secure storage yard at the docks and we had to wait an additional 4+ weeks for it to arrive. Can't remember the exact details now but we also had to pay a storage fee and an inspection fee before it was released to the shipping company for them to then go collect the container and deliver it to us after the inspection.

snj_2000

urgh, 4 weeks?! I hope we get our stuff before Christmas! The guy from the LA side of our movers emailed back, his english isn't good I don't think. The ship hasn't docked yet so our container hasn't been searched, but he says it probably will be and we are looking at 1-3 weeks for it to be cleared and then 7-14 days for them to deliver it after we pay the fees due. This is not what the UK shippers said, their quoted 5 weeks is turning into 8 or 9! Good to know that if they find anything it'll just be confiscated though!

snj_2000

'erbs, must remember this! Already confused people with my wrong use of words (and sniggered at someone saying fanny)

joto

Is the guy from the LA side of the movers trying a fast one. If the ship hasn't docked yet, how does he know which container(s) customs will want to inspect. I don't know if customs have to provide paperwork on the inspection to you or your movers if they inspected your container. Otherwise, mover guy might just be collecting the (inspection fees) when there isn't any due.

Pulaski

I believe that all container details have to be provided to US customs ahead of arrival, just like airlines have to send a passenger list ahead of arrival of a plane flying into the US, and customs flags which containers will be inspected long before the container ship docks.

GeoffM

+1. Tell your shipper you will require paperwork proof of inspection, ie let him know in advance you're not going to be fooled. There are different levels of inspection, from "open the container doors, let the dogs sniff" (cursory glance) to "open the boxes" (detailed search), everything in between, and probably more either end of my scale.

I wonder if there's a way to get the shipping container ID checked against some list of whatever's being inspected. I suspect not (privacy) though.

snj_2000

This is exactly what we thought might be happening. He is the LA side. In the same email he told us it had been checked, the ship hadn't docked, and that it would be checked as 'most shipments are'
Will definitely be letting him know that we will need to see the paperwork before paying the bill, thanks for this as we hadn't even considered it until I started reading some forum threads!

ottotheboar

If you do not have it ask the UK shipper for the name of the vessel, the voyage and container number.
It should be possible to track the container.
Before the vessel departs the details of the shipment are submitted to US Customs with the ISF ( Importer Security Filing )
Ask for documentation for any additional charges.
Some of the more disreputable companies work on the basis that they have your personal effects and can basically hold you hostage.