2. digital
  3. 1092489919

Problems with U.S. Customs - Watch Out

A couple of weeks ago I agreed to buy a cd player from a fellow audiogoner in good standing from Canada. (I'm located in the U.S.) Upon receiving my check, he shipped the unit out FedEx ground the same day. Using the tracking number I could see it steadily making progress until a "Customs Delay" notice appeared.

After hours on the phone with FedEx inquiring as to the delay, the seller was informed he needed to file one form for the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), a "Declaration for imported products subject to radiation control standards" (I guess the FDA is worried I might eat the cd player) and another for the FCC, a "Statement regarding the importation of radio frequency devices capable of causing harmful interference" (I'm not sure how a cd player has the potential to cause harmful interference).

In additon the seller had to pay a hefty brokerage fee to FedEx Ground for a surety bond.

After the seller completed all the paperwork and payed the associated fees, I assumed the cd player would be released by customs. That was until later in the day when I got a call from FedEx saying the cd player was being held by U.S. customs for a visual inspection. E.g. the will be removing it from the seller's careful packing and poking and proding it to make sure it isn't something nasty.

I still don't have any idea if and when I'll get the unit.

Anyone have any similar problems dealing with U.S. Customs?
cdc2
distortion
571 posts
 
I can hear the exchange at the Customs counter in my head, "Excuse me Sir, what's in your pants?" "Ohh nothing, just Salami." "Ohh a wise-@ss are ya? We'll see about that."

Seriously though, instead of blaming everyone on the North American continent wouldn't it have been easier just to claim the Salami in the first place.

P.S. Yes, I sometimes hear things in my head! Like for instance, "Hide the Salami, you can doo eet, now hide that Salami." Though, usually not at the Customs desk.
jsonic
227 posts
 
Audiofil: Haven'nt you ever heard of "hide the salami"?
audioluvr
5 posts
 
Hey people,
A DAC does not have a laser device in it, so it shouldn't be a problem, and does not relate to this gent's problem - An FCC 740 form covers every stereo component other than laser devices.

The FDA 2877 is a different animal, as it involves laser devices. The FDA requires a yearly report from the manufacturer with an up-to-date Accession number so that the CD player can be shipped into the US. The fact that the laser part may not have changed in years is irrelevant to them. The FDA has not been enforcing this regularly, if at all, until the last few weeks.

If any of y'all want to ship a CD player or transport into the US, I suggest that you call the manufacturer or distributor and ask them for the Accession Number and company info that goes into Section "B" of the FDA 2877 form. Blank forms can be found on the FDA website:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/
maineiac
649 posts
 
If you were on vacation and bought a peice of audio equipment to bring back, how much would one have to pay in duty?
golden_ears
224 posts
 
It depends on what kind of equipment it is, and where it is made. (in Canada/US, or off-shore, etc.) A lot of duties are lower or gone, due to the Free Trade Agreement. I don't think there are any duties on CD players, but I'm not up-to-date on that stuff.
You can always call Customs and ask them or check the Customs websites for that information.
More to discover