About 3 weeks ago or so I sent a PL to Bolex Bayonet mount adaptor to a customer in the USA. Yesterday, out of the blue, it was returned by the couriers. I tracked it online, and it had spent 2 1/2 weeks or so being held awaiting customs clearance in the USA.
I phoned up the couriers to find out what the problems was, and they came back to me saying that it had been rejected by the FDA of all people! I can only think that they thought that it was a medical device of some sort. The customs declaration was labelled "Lens mount adaptor for motion picture camera", maybe they assumed it was used in microscopy???
Curiously though, the package seems not to have even been opened. All the tape as I packed it is in position, as is the original packing slip which was taped over the box opening.
I'm going to have to try to send it again. Has anyone else experienced problems like this with the FDA?
Bart
US Customs returned my Bolex
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Blue Audio Visual
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US Customs returned my Bolex
Last edited by Blue Audio Visual on Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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MIKI-814
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Re: US Customs return my Bolex
A "massive attack weapon", no doubt :lol:Blue Audio Visual wrote:About 3 weeks ago or so I sent a PL to Bolex Bayonet mount adaptor to a customer in the USA.
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Blue Audio Visual
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Blue Audio Visual
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You never know! However, my surname is the distinctly Anglo-Saxon "Smith", which is atypical of the normal demographic of wannabe Islamic terrorists. I'm also (by some people's reckoning) technically Jewish, as I have an unbroken maternal line going back to my great-grandmother.jpolzfuss wrote:Maybe the parcel only has been rejected because you've been registered as an Islamic terrorist in the USA?
Having said that I did send several large consignments of MP gear to Al-Jazeera in Qatar last year. Maybe the spooks are watching as I type this? I can hear a helicopter circling above Islington as I speak, this may be my last post if there's no net access in Guantanamo.
Bart Smith
Subject of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.
Born in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London.
Never charged with or convicted of any criminal offence.
I AM INNOCENT!!!
Americans can be very strange when dealing with foreigners and foreign goods.
You may just find that the customs people had no real idea what a lens mount adaptor is....for some reason it got passed to the FDA who didn't know either...so it got sent back.
Sadly my experiences with US authorities is that you will never get to the bottom of it and the only way to resolve the matter is to post again at your cost.
I once tried to pay for an eBay auction by sending US$ in the post to California....they got returned twice and I gave up.
You may just find that the customs people had no real idea what a lens mount adaptor is....for some reason it got passed to the FDA who didn't know either...so it got sent back.
Sadly my experiences with US authorities is that you will never get to the bottom of it and the only way to resolve the matter is to post again at your cost.
I once tried to pay for an eBay auction by sending US$ in the post to California....they got returned twice and I gave up.
The government says that by 2010 30% of us will be fat....I am merely a trendsetter 
A more realistic cause: Maybe one of the FDA-dogs didn't like the parcel?
My friends and I did always had problems entering the USA or Australia since we're using the same rucksacks for our tours that we take to work. So there was indeed "unallowed food" in the rucksacks one or two days before the flight. Hence one of those dogs is always barking and we always had to empty the rucksack to show that it was "food-/seed-free".
And if the dogs are so "intolerant" with our rucksacks, they could start barking if one the employees at the post-office was eating a banana while handling your parcel... or do those dogs belong to the CBP?
Of course there could have been some white powder on the parcel. And the FDA rejects all shipments of Anthrax ;)
BTW: "Smith" is typical for someone with a false name. Hence "Smith" is "per se" suspicious. ;)
(On the other hand: There's a high chance that are some thousands "Bart Smith"s worldwide, so it's easy to be mistaken. ;) )
Jörg
My friends and I did always had problems entering the USA or Australia since we're using the same rucksacks for our tours that we take to work. So there was indeed "unallowed food" in the rucksacks one or two days before the flight. Hence one of those dogs is always barking and we always had to empty the rucksack to show that it was "food-/seed-free".
And if the dogs are so "intolerant" with our rucksacks, they could start barking if one the employees at the post-office was eating a banana while handling your parcel... or do those dogs belong to the CBP?
Of course there could have been some white powder on the parcel. And the FDA rejects all shipments of Anthrax ;)
BTW: "Smith" is typical for someone with a false name. Hence "Smith" is "per se" suspicious. ;)
(On the other hand: There's a high chance that are some thousands "Bart Smith"s worldwide, so it's easy to be mistaken. ;) )
Jörg
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zantizoom8
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the theory of a barking dog may not be all that off.
anything Customs suspects of being related to an agricultural product entering the country is rejected under strict federal guidelines. The use of the word LENS in your declaration may have been a red flag also if they are aware of the dreaded lens fungus problem. they will often reduce a declaration to one keyword and if the computer sends a flag or warning, they probably will just heighten the security level and forbid it.
Now if a dog trained to react to specific odors did his trick for your package, thats all the proof they need see to bounce it back. i feel you are lucky it was returned and not destroyed.
Zant
anything Customs suspects of being related to an agricultural product entering the country is rejected under strict federal guidelines. The use of the word LENS in your declaration may have been a red flag also if they are aware of the dreaded lens fungus problem. they will often reduce a declaration to one keyword and if the computer sends a flag or warning, they probably will just heighten the security level and forbid it.
Now if a dog trained to react to specific odors did his trick for your package, thats all the proof they need see to bounce it back. i feel you are lucky it was returned and not destroyed.
Zant
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Blue Audio Visual
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This is a copy of the tracking info. You can see it being batted back and forth in The States...
Date Time Location Service Area Checkpoint Details
June 25, 2007 13:18 London-Heathrow - UK Shipment picked up
June 25, 2007 17:47 London-Heathrow - UK Departing origin
June 27, 2007 02:59 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Departing origin
June 25, 2007 20:15 London-Heathrow - UK Departed from DHL facility in London-Heathrow - UK
June 25, 2007 23:53 East Midlands - UK Arrived at DHL facility in East Midlands - UK
June 25, 2007 23:53 East Midlands - UK Shipment on hold
June 26, 2007 22:35 East Midlands - UK Departed from DHL facility in East Midlands - UK
June 27, 2007 01:53 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Arrived at DHL facility in DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
June 27, 2007 05:01 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
June 27, 2007 05:18 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
June 28, 2007 05:38 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
June 28, 2007 05:41 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
June 29, 2007 04:43 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
June 29, 2007 04:43 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
June 30, 2007 03:16 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
June 30, 2007 04:11 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 01, 2007 12:46 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 01, 2007 13:36 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 03, 2007 05:06 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 03, 2007 05:07 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 04, 2007 04:29 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 04, 2007 04:31 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 05, 2007 05:08 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 05, 2007 05:14 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 06, 2007 05:31 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 06, 2007 05:33 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 06, 2007 23:52 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 07, 2007 04:59 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 08, 2007 12:08 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 10, 2007 04:47 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 10, 2007 04:55 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 11, 2007 05:00 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 11, 2007 05:07 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 12, 2007 04:26 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Transferred through DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
July 12, 2007 04:27 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
Who knows what the hell was going on???
Date Time Location Service Area Checkpoint Details
June 25, 2007 13:18 London-Heathrow - UK Shipment picked up
June 25, 2007 17:47 London-Heathrow - UK Departing origin
June 27, 2007 02:59 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Departing origin
June 25, 2007 20:15 London-Heathrow - UK Departed from DHL facility in London-Heathrow - UK
June 25, 2007 23:53 East Midlands - UK Arrived at DHL facility in East Midlands - UK
June 25, 2007 23:53 East Midlands - UK Shipment on hold
June 26, 2007 22:35 East Midlands - UK Departed from DHL facility in East Midlands - UK
June 27, 2007 01:53 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Arrived at DHL facility in DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
June 27, 2007 05:01 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
June 27, 2007 05:18 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
June 28, 2007 05:38 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
June 28, 2007 05:41 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
June 29, 2007 04:43 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
June 29, 2007 04:43 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
June 30, 2007 03:16 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
June 30, 2007 04:11 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 01, 2007 12:46 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 01, 2007 13:36 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 03, 2007 05:06 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 03, 2007 05:07 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 04, 2007 04:29 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 04, 2007 04:31 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 05, 2007 05:08 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 05, 2007 05:14 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 06, 2007 05:31 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 06, 2007 05:33 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 06, 2007 23:52 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 07, 2007 04:59 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 08, 2007 12:08 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 10, 2007 04:47 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 10, 2007 04:55 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 11, 2007 05:00 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
July 11, 2007 05:07 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Clearance delay
July 12, 2007 04:26 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Transferred through DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
July 12, 2007 04:27 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Shipment on hold
Who knows what the hell was going on???
Crikey! If we weren't in the EU we'd have to put up with all this nonesense sending things to Germany or France! As it is, it's as easy as sending inland and almost as quick.
This level of paranoia strikes me as a bit strange for a country whose population is armed to the teeth. Especially when the package is coming from a country where even the police don't carry guns!
This level of paranoia strikes me as a bit strange for a country whose population is armed to the teeth. Especially when the package is coming from a country where even the police don't carry guns!
True! But he should not be sending lens adapters in times of war. And a mount of all things. Think of the possibilities - aluminum pipes sent a piece at a time. And then using this forum to communicate using code. I mean, look at the coded schedule he just posted. A Smith would never do that! I mean, what next Blue Audio Visual (if this is truly you)? A trip to Niger?!? LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLMuckymuck wrote:Crikey! If we weren't in the EU we'd have to put up with all this nonesense sending things to Germany or France! As it is, it's as easy as sending inland and almost as quick.
This level of paranoia strikes me as a bit strange for a country whose population is armed to the teeth. Especially when the package is coming from a country where even the police don't carry guns!
Re: US Customs returned my Bolex
They may have X-rayed the contents inside of the box to see what it was without opening it.Blue Audio Visual wrote:About 3 weeks ago or so I sent a PL to Bolex Bayonet mount adaptor to a customer in the USA. Yesterday, out of the blue, it was returned by the couriers. I tracked it online, and it had spent 2 1/2 weeks or so being held awaiting customs clearance in the USA.
I phoned up the couriers to find out what the problems was, and they came back to me saying that it had been rejected by the FDA of all people! I can only think that they thought that it was a medical device of some sort. The customs declaration was labelled "Lens mount adaptor for motion picture camera", maybe they assumed it was used in microscopy???
Curiously though, the package seems not to have even been opened. All the tape as I packed it is in position, as is the original packing slip which was taped over the box opening.
I'm going to have to try to send it again. Has anyone else experienced problems like this with the FDA?
Bart
Don't always believe what the tracking details say! Below is a trace on something I ordered in the UK on 25th June for Next Day before 10:30am delivery. I received an email on the 25th at 18:04 to say it had been dispatched and supplying tracking details.
As you can see, it took a week...but now for the good bit: When I enquired from the supplier (Maplin) on the 27th about the ludicrous route the package was taking, they said it hadn't even left them due to the floods we had at the time! The traces were apparently just showing enquiries to find out where the parcel was. It somehow got booked into the courier system without actually being picked up and "phantomly" moved about the country! :roll:
Frank
Status Date Time Signatory Branch
Delivered 02/07/07 11:39 J SCHWARZ CHESSINGTON SERVICE CENTRE
Out for delivery 02/07/07 07:12 CHESSINGTON SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 29/06/07 14:13 CHESSINGTON SERVICE CENTRE
Departed Depot 29/06/07 11:40 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Misrouted-Customer Addressing Error 29/06/07 11:39 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 29/06/07 03:49 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 29/06/07 03:44 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Departed Depot 28/06/07 23:04 HATFIELD TERMINAL
Held - Awaiting Booking-In Date 28/06/07 06:33 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
In Transit 28/06/07 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 28/06/07 03:32 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 28/06/07 03:31 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 28/06/07 00:07 HATFIELD TERMINAL
Departed Depot 27/06/07 21:23 HATFIELD TERMINAL
Arrived At Depot 27/06/07 21:23 HATFIELD TERMINAL
Departed Depot 27/06/07 08:17 MAIDSTONE SERVICE CENTRE
In Transit 27/06/07 MAIDSTONE SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 27/06/07 06:12 MAIDSTONE SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 27/06/07 01:27 HATFIELD TERMINAL
In Transit 26/06/07 HAMS HALL
Departed Depot 26/06/07 02:15 HAMS HALL
Arrived At Depot 26/06/07 02:14 HAMS HALL
Despatched After Collection Cutoff 26/06/07 02:10 HAMS HALL
Shipment Data Received 25/06/07 SHEFFIELD SERVICE CENTRE
As you can see, it took a week...but now for the good bit: When I enquired from the supplier (Maplin) on the 27th about the ludicrous route the package was taking, they said it hadn't even left them due to the floods we had at the time! The traces were apparently just showing enquiries to find out where the parcel was. It somehow got booked into the courier system without actually being picked up and "phantomly" moved about the country! :roll:
Frank
Status Date Time Signatory Branch
Delivered 02/07/07 11:39 J SCHWARZ CHESSINGTON SERVICE CENTRE
Out for delivery 02/07/07 07:12 CHESSINGTON SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 29/06/07 14:13 CHESSINGTON SERVICE CENTRE
Departed Depot 29/06/07 11:40 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Misrouted-Customer Addressing Error 29/06/07 11:39 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 29/06/07 03:49 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 29/06/07 03:44 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Departed Depot 28/06/07 23:04 HATFIELD TERMINAL
Held - Awaiting Booking-In Date 28/06/07 06:33 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
In Transit 28/06/07 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 28/06/07 03:32 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 28/06/07 03:31 HAYES SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 28/06/07 00:07 HATFIELD TERMINAL
Departed Depot 27/06/07 21:23 HATFIELD TERMINAL
Arrived At Depot 27/06/07 21:23 HATFIELD TERMINAL
Departed Depot 27/06/07 08:17 MAIDSTONE SERVICE CENTRE
In Transit 27/06/07 MAIDSTONE SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 27/06/07 06:12 MAIDSTONE SERVICE CENTRE
Arrived At Depot 27/06/07 01:27 HATFIELD TERMINAL
In Transit 26/06/07 HAMS HALL
Departed Depot 26/06/07 02:15 HAMS HALL
Arrived At Depot 26/06/07 02:14 HAMS HALL
Despatched After Collection Cutoff 26/06/07 02:10 HAMS HALL
Shipment Data Received 25/06/07 SHEFFIELD SERVICE CENTRE
Off all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.