More wikileaks fall out?? Customs holding up small parcels..

[hlthe2b]

Anyone having unusual delays or trouble receiving small shipped items from overseas?

I have been in contact with a retailer in G. Britain from whom I purchased a wool scarf for Christmas November 23. It shipped on the 24th and arrived in NYC, where it disappeared for the next 3 weeks-- no tracking update, nada. I finally see a notice that it has been dispatched to USPS in NYC today (11/15).

As it turns out, the retailer has had all of their US deliveries similarly held up-- all small padded envelope type packages, since all they sell is Irish wool scarves-- a total of several dozen and have told me that customs has never taken more than a few days to clear in the past. EVER--in more than two decades in business. They are really upset because they are missing Christmas deadlines and will have to refund all those shipments.

My somewhat joking question (which occurred to them as well) is whether customs is getting in the act in terms of more scrutiny to packages and parcels, given the whole wiki-leaks debacle. I know that seems like a stretch, but.... I wondered about terrorist concern, but given these are small padded envelopes and not really packages, that doesn't make a lot of sense.

Anyone else experienced this with similar posts from G. Britain or Europe?

On edit, the weakileaks connection was brought up by the retailer Seems they have been discussing with other small Brit retailers that similarly ship mainly padded envelope-sized parcels and had some reason to conclude that the possibility of those containing CD's or other media has put them under further scrutiny. I agree it seems a stretch, but was curious if this was just a coincidental blip or more widespread and, as the retailer believes, quite unusual. :shrug:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. "Nearly everything" is monumental.

[hlthe2b]

2. Well, that was surely helpful.

If you have no experience with the issue and could provide no information pertinent to the issue, then why did you post? Since you seemingly were offended by my bit of hyperbole, I have edited, however.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Pardon my non-experienced opinion.

My bad.

[dipsydoodle]

5. Yes

but I must say it was a very witty response.

[hlthe2b]

8. As I said, it may be nothing... just a blip. Thus, the question to others

as to whether any others are experiencing this. Sorry, if you feel i should not have posted and inconvenienced you by doing so. Ignore works really well, I might add.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. Very witty.

;)

[hlthe2b]

12. a bit self-congratulatory, wouldn't you say?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. Not at all. Due recognition.

:D

[dipsydoodle]

4. They are really upset ?

Surely if the articles have been tracked to country of destination in a timely manner its not their responsibility therafter ?

[hlthe2b]

6. They cut off guaranteed delivery at 11/25...

based on 20 years of experience. So, yeah, they are obligated to reimburse all those shipments sent out in what should have been "on time."

[Eric J in MN]

7. They may be giving packages more scrutiny because of the printer bombs from Yemen.

I doubt it has to do with Wikileaks.

[hlthe2b]

9. Possibly... that was my first thought...

But G. Britain? Envelopes, rather than boxes? And envelopes that are fully compressible, given they contain only wool scarves. :shrug:

[Arctic Dave]

10. I don't see the correlations between your parcel and Wikileaks.

Could you shine some light on your thought process for it.

[hlthe2b]

14. Something the retailer brought up...

Seems they have been discussing with other small Brit retailers that similarly ship mainly padded envelope-sized parcels and had some reason to conclude that the possibility of those containing CD's or other media has put them under further scrutiny.

[Arctic Dave]

15. Next time ask them to send it in a Lady Gaga CD.

Should sail through.

[Luminous Animal]

16. Indeed. Wikileaks in known for receiving info in packages of wool scarves.

That whole upload on the internet thingy is just a smokescreen.

[hlthe2b]

19. thank you.

for your honest and sincere answer as to whether anyone else was having trouble with receiving packages. Very helpful and I am truly appreciative. I can only hope that i will be available to similarly provide you such helpful and sincere assistance in the future.

[EFerrari]

22. But our government can be really stupid.

Someone opened my packages for three months after I did a big MoveOn event. All my terrorist towels and cat meds came slashed open and taped clumsily shut. The UPS and FedEx people didn't know what the heck to say. It was stoopid as possible.

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. I ordered a book from London Nov. 18th..

Still have not seen it.

first time I have out of country item, so have no idea if it is being read by the Customs people before sending on or what.

[hlthe2b]

20. so probably a more systemic issues, I guess.

thanks for the info.

[MrModerate]

18. Just got a notice from Australia Post that not only would parcels to the US . . .

be held up, that they would also attract an additional AUD9 fee for additional handling demanded by US authorities. It's apparently in response to the recent mailed bombs (about a month ago, failed to explode, thankfully). No wiki-connection.

[hlthe2b]

21. Thanks..

that info is helfpul.