Issue with U.S. Customs Holding My Package

[mic_14105]

Hi, 

I’m having a problem with delivering a package from the EU to the US.
U.S. customs have been holding the package for three weeks, and now they’re saying they want to return it because it contains restricted items (chicken meat and other types of meat). The package contains MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), which are long-shelf-life foods.

My question is: I paid $120 for shipping and an additional $30 for customs fees.
Since it’s not my fault, can I ask the buyer to cover some of the costs, knowing there’s no 100% guarantee that the package will be delivered without issues?

If anyone has experienced a similar situation, how did you handle it?

Thanks in advance!

[jckl1957]

You are posting on the UK boards and asking other members who may not have any specialist knowledge in this area.

US Customs have always been tricky.

It is not your fault that the package is undeliverable, but it isn't the buyer's fault either.  If the buyer opens an 'item not received' case, I think Ebay are likely to find in the buyer's favour and expect you to refund in full.  I don't know if you can claim the customs fee back from US customs - you will need to investigate that further.

[plpmr]

these are the UK boards and you are in Slovakia, best log into your designated site - https://www.ebay.com/

[*vyolla*]

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@mic_14105 wrote:

and now they’re saying they want to return it because it contains restricted items (chicken meat and other types of meat). The package contains MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), which are long-shelf-life foods.

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I'd say that this is your fault, I know that you can't send those to the US, you really should have checked. 

I'm not sure if they'll destroy the product or return it to you, either way you'll end up refunding the buyer, they can simply issue a chargeback if eBay won't help.

[mic_14105]

Hi, the problem is that I didn’t actually want to ship to the US. The buyer assured me that the worst that could happen is that customs would remove the problematic food and he would still receive the rest. Both the buyer and I were aware of the risk, and the buyer accepted it. We are contacting U.S. Customs every day about this problem, but nothing is moving forward. I offered him a 50/50 solution.

[*vyolla* · Accepted solution]

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@mic_14105 wrote:

Hi, the problem is that I didn’t actually want to ship to the US. The buyer assured me that the worst that could happen is that customs would remove the problematic food and he would still receive the rest. Both the buyer and I were aware of the risk, and the buyer accepted it. We are contacting U.S. Customs every day about this problem, but nothing is moving forward. I offered him a 50/50 solution.

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That was never going to get through customs, I'm surprised that your buyer didn't know that. But, I feel for you because it's a problem that's landed firmly with you. Your buyer can easily get a refund via eBay or a chargeback, so you will lose out here.