What does customs look for in packages?

The US Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, is tasked with screening all of them. They're looking for anything that isn't legally allowed in the US; certain foods, animals, drugs, and counterfeit goods.

Why would a package be rejected by customs?

Compliance issues – Customs officials are known for being stringent about import regulations. Therefore, if a package contains restricted or prohibited items, if there is any missing documentation, or if there are any other trade regulation infractions, a customs official can reject the package.

How are packages checked in customs?

Do customs open every package to verify information? No, customs officers will not open up your package or packages without good reason. Every package is put through a scanner machine, or an x-ray machine, to verify that the items you are shipping match your customs forms.

Why would a package be held in customs?

Shipments are held in customs to ensure they satisfy export or import customs regulations. A held shipment may have missing or incomplete paperwork, be waiting for clearance instructions or the authorities may need more information to clear the goods.

How do packages get flagged?

Mail may be flagged if the letter or package is stained or is leaking. According to a USPS brochure, reused packaging and boxes are only acceptable when all markings and labels are removed or completely marked out.

Explained about Customs Inspection. Cost and Difference between Import and Export inspections.

What are 3 examples of a suspicious package?

What is considered a suspicious package?

Common Characteristics of Suspicious Packages

Package or envelope with suspicious leaks, stains, or powdered substances. Package is rigid, bulky, or has excessive tape/string. Poor handwriting, misspellings, improperly addressed. Excessive postage, no postage, or no/strange return address.

How Long Can customs legally hold my package?

After the 30 days period, U.S. Customs has to decide whether it wants to seize the package or release it. In some cases, Customs has to rely on other agencies to provide it with instructions on whether the package is breaking any law, for example the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

How long will a package sit in customs?

Typically, customs clearance takes less than 24 hours, however, there are times where it can take several days or weeks for goods to be inspected. When is customs clearance needed? Customs clearance is necessary for all packages entering the U.S. from other countries.

What happens if U.S. Customs seizes your package?

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer that seized the property should have forwarded the case to the appropriate supervisor for approval within 24 hours. The case is then referred to the Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures (FP&F) office within three working days.

How does USPS check packages for drugs?

The only way that an item sent through USPS can be seized and searched is with a search warrant. If there is probable cause to believe that a letter or package contains something that is in violation of federal law, then the Postal Inspectors can request a search warrant to open the piece of mail.

Does USPS check whats inside packages?

If the package is not classified as Priority Mail Express™ service (domestic or international), Priority Mail® service, First–Class Package Service™, or an international letter package, it may be opened and its contents examined.

What happens if USPS finds drugs in a package?

They will call in the postal inspectors and they will also call in the local police and then they will try to get you if the package is addressed to you to take delivery of it so they can arrest you. They may have you go to a larger postal office to pick it up.

How do I get my package to clear customs?

How do I know if my package was intercepted?

Customer status should be provided by phone or email. Customers may also check the status of their request by looking out for the "Customer Recall" scan event using the Track & Confirm tool on USPS.com.

What happens if a shipment does not clear customs?

It will be seized by customs if the goods in the cargo are legal. It will then be auctioned off to compensate for its charges. The cargo custodian will resell the goods to compensate for the fees incurred.

Why has my package been in customs for 5 days?

Shipments are held to ensure they satisfy export or import customs regulations. This may be due to missing or incomplete paperwork, waiting for clearance instructions or because the authorities may need more information to clear the goods.

Will customs return to sender?

NOTE: Any item bearing a handwritten customs form should not be accepted as mail. If that occurs, it will be returned to sender. Click "Where do I Deposit Mail that Requires Customs Declaration?" for additional information.

Does customs keep track of packages?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, (CBP) is unable to track packages into or out of our facilities unless you have received a notice of detention issued by CBP, otherwise we will not be able to locate your package even if it is being held by CBP.

Do customs seize fake goods?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection tries to intercept those fake goods before they get to consumers. The agency recently said it seized $1 billion in counterfeit merchandise in less than one year, an estimation that represents the "manufacturer's suggested retail price of the goods seized, had they been genuine."

What are the 4 C's when discovering a suspicious package?

When dealing with suspicious items apply the 4 Cs protocol: CONFIRM, CLEAR, COMMUNICATE AND CONTROL. a log of decisions and actions is maintained.

Can USPS open suspicious packages?

If there is probable cause to believe the contents of a First-Class letter or parcel violate federal law, Postal Inspectors can obtain a search warrant to open the mail piece. Other classes of mail do not contain private correspondence and therefore may be opened without a warrant.

What does USPS consider irregular packages?

An irregular package is basically anything outside of normal packaging, dimensions, and weights for both USPS and UPS services. Some examples of these kinds of packages are mailing tubes, or anything that isn't inside a cardboard box, envelope, or poly mailer.

What does suspicious activity look like?

Suspicious activities or behaviors may include, but are not limited to: Wandering around campus areas attempting to open multiple doors. Seeming nervous and looking over their shoulders. Entering restricted areas when not authorized or following immediately behind others into card-access areas while the door is open.

How does USPS determine a suspicious package?

Items of unusual weight relative to their size, or that are lopsided or oddly shaped. Items which are sealed with excessive amounts of tape. An item containing a postmark which does not match the return address or bears an excessive amount of postage. Mailpiece is leaking an unknown powdery substance.