Admin NoteThis thread was split from : http://www.rcindia.org/rc-outlets-and-resellers/arfs-radio-system-import/

Anam Bhaiya! Sorry that I ask lots of questions.
But My last orders from HK(19oct 2010) were shipped at next day means 20oct as the warehouse status changed from processing to shipped. It is already 24th (4th day from shipped) and still not updated on HKpost's website. I have read that it takes 3-5 days. According to your experience, when it should be updated and when will my parcels arrive at my doorstep?
Thanks.

Hi I have ordered a RTF on Sept 23 and the status on USPS tracking runs thus.


Your item left the United States from ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS) at 11:21 pm on September 24, 2010. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later

Detailed Results:
 
International Dispatch, September 24, 2010, 11:21 pm, ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS)
Arrival
Electronic Shipping Info Received, September 24, 2010


After this now its more than a month and no updates from USPS. Can anyone pleass advice me if this is a normal time taken to reach a Parcel from US or there is something wrong

I believe, once it leaves the USA, it is no longer in the hands of the United States Postal Service (USPS). It would have to be tracked from who ever handles it from there. If was shipped UPS, that's different. They ship worldwide and you can track from http://www.ups.com
I would think you should have had it in no longer than 3 weeks. I order from China to the USA all the time and usually receive my order within 14 days.

The seller should help you track your order.

Hope this helps...
Wayne

@ asinghatiya

Try tracking your parcel on this site http://www.track-trace.com/post
Just enter your tracking number then Track with options. By default USPS tracking page will open if parcel is sent through USPS. After that in Select country tab choose India then you will be able to track it within India. I hope This helps.

Thank You so much @spitfire, I think it will work, currently its not showing result but might be due to server is down. Will chk again. Keep updating. thanks

i also order a jet plane to bananahobby.com. they sent it by usps now this is in custom office near bal bhawan ne delhi. but the status is Label/Receipt Number: CJ17 0803 245U S
Class: Priority Mail International Parcels
Service(s): International Parcels
Status: International Dispatch

the custom dept. is tooooo negtive to clear the parcel. if you have any question please call 09896074123

thank you so much but, this scare me, any way out, you have received your parcel or not ? I am waiting from last one month..and they havent send me a notice. and the EMS This is ridiculous.

no i am finding a approch to clear the parcel

Thanks, I finally got the whereabouts of my Parcel, from http://www.track-trace.com it has reached delhi last month only. Now sent to customs. Now its a real tussel to get the package from Customs. Can anyone help me how to approach them or get the package from them ?
Status is given below.

9/24/2010 5:18:00 PM UNITED STATES 91754 Receive item from customer (Otb) 
9/24/2010 11:20:00 PM UNITED STATES ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS) Receive item at office of exchange (Otb) 
9/24/2010 11:21:00 PM UNITED STATES ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS) Insert item into bag (Otb) 
9/25/2010 4:45:00 PM UNITED STATES ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS) Send item abroad (EDI-received) 
9/28/2010 12:00:09 PM INDIA DELHI FOREIGN POST OFFICE Receive item at office of exchange (Inb) 
9/28/2010 2:45:27 PM INDIA DELHI FOREIGN POST OFFICE Send item to customs (Inb)


Wot does 'Inb' means?

"inb" means inbound  freight
"otb" means outbound  freight.

Quote from: asinghatiya on October 24, 2010, 09:11:09 PM
Now its a real tussel to get the package from Customs. Can anyone help me how to approach them or get the package from them ?

U will have to go to customs office. It is detained. They will not release it until u go and produce documents.

[Admin Note]  Modified to remove a below the belt remark

Yeah you are right, but They should have sent me a notice or a call. Does anyone have the number of Customs office. I got 01123238880, but no one is picking this number. Any other number for the same.

They do not. you have to be in touch with the customs dept yourself

Quote from: asinghatiya on October 24, 2010, 09:11:09 PM
Status is given below.
...
9/28/2010 2:45:27 PM INDIA DELHI FOREIGN POST OFFICE Send item to customs (Inb)

I would be worried if my item is held with customs for over 3 weeks. The problem is there are increased chances of manhandling with you pacakge spending more time there. Something like spending too much time in police lockup 

I would advise you to visit the FPO as soon as possible with the following docs:
1. Tracking number
2. The Customs invoice as issued by Hobby King (should be  there in your Order page)
3. A Small application addressed to "Asst Commissioner, Postal Appraisal Dept, Delhi Customs, Declaring what is the item is to used for (ensure to mention it is for personal use) and the declared Value of the item including shipping (That should match what HK's invoice). Leave the Subject empty which you fill later by getting the 'Internal Number" from FPO.

first visit the FPO, at the item inquiry, get the 'Internal' number by providing the Tracking no. Put this internal number in the subject of the letter to Customs.

Visit  the Customs's PAD which should in the same premise of FPO. The Superintendent would normally entertain people after 1:30. find the peon and get an appointment. Give the peon you Internal No and he would take out you paper. Try to get the reason for holding the item - if they are awaiting to open you item, silently give them a slip and wait for more time. Otherwise you could mentally prepare to give the proper reasoning or completely re-write the letter.

All the best.

Quote from: asinghatiya on October 25, 2010, 01:24:37 PM
Yeah you are right, but They should have sent me a notice or a call. Does anyone have the number of Customs office. I got 01123238880, but no one is picking this number. Any other number for the same.

No. is 011-23233325. u tell the parcel no. they will give u info.

I thought I should not write again as one of the friend told me that this not a place to discuss the customs problem, so I stopped writing.
My dear friends now I have one thing very clear, Its Indian Postal service's responsibility to deliver my parcel and I will not go there. If there is a non-compliance they will send me a notice.

Now I have raised this issue with Dpt. Director General of Posterl service so, let see weather regulations win or I need bow against the wrong.

One thig is now sure, I am not worried abt a 10k toy, I m now firm to get this thing done in a right way.

Quote from: asinghatiya on October 25, 2010, 05:38:26 PM
I thought I should not write again as one of the friend told me that this not a place to discuss the customs problem, so I stopped writing.

I split the customs discussion from Anam's original thread...  feel free to discuss as much as you want in this new thread !

Back to the customs issues, I know of two cases where taking a hard line (leading to court/tribunal cases) resulted in far more financial grief to the hobbyists, much more than the cost of the items.  As much as it sounds bigoted, a "half firm half flexible" attitude might be the smarter choice !

Quote from: asinghatiya on October 25, 2010, 05:38:26 PM
I thought I should not write again as one of the friend told me that this not a place to discuss the customs problem, so I stopped writing.

Now I have raised this issue with Dpt. Director General of Posterl service so, let see weather regulations win or I need bow against the wrong.

One thig is now sure, I am not worried abt a 10k toy, I m now firm to get this thing done in a right way.

You are advised not to indulge in any details which might be illegal/unlawful under the rule of the land. Talking about the legal way of getting your package cleared is entirely fine.
to begin with you should have searched the forum before posting. These issues have been discussed and detailed times a many on the forum.

Comming to your plan to write to DG of PO, you are right that Customs + PO should serve you a notice. But there is nothing wrong in proactively inquiring for your own parcel. Importing goods, even things connected to RC is always a problem.

Apart from not receiving any notice/intimation, you would have anyway ended up at Customs.
Believe me, I have seen loads of Electronics goods auctioned and 3 truck load of 'Ganja' (Hash) burned by my Uncle's officers. Customs have all the rights to question goods imported. They can only confesticate restricted items like Radio. Almost all the other R/C items are good to go, provided the invoice is right for duty evaluation.

Keep cool and all the best.

Thanks Anwar and you are right, I should adopt the middle path (the Lord Buddha way of middle path ) I have started my fight but I m pragmatic too, I know things are not so simple as they appear, I also understand customs department's priorities and their challenges.

Will keep on updating about my progress, I have written to all the senior officials in postal department and I am not very hopefull receiving any reply, if this didnt work then plan B .

For all customs issues, best to make a visit. Recently one of my parcels was detained for more than 20 days. On phone, I was told that the notice was send, never reached me. On visiting the office, I manually took out the letter meant for me and responded to it with the required docs immediately and got the item cleared.

The letter was not send for want of stamps........

The IE code is always asked while the law states that IE code is exempted for "Persons importing or exporting goods for personal use not connected with trade or manufacture or agriculture".

Hi Friends, beyond my imagination i got the reply from Dpt Director General's office it runs thus.

Sir,           
    Thanks for your mail.
    The SPA u/r detained by custom as per net movements . You contact to foreign post office (custom) , New Delhi -    110002 (Tel.- 23233325, 23236743, 23236739).

      Thanks and Regards
       SPC, Delhi--110001


But this didnt solve the problem.  Now as Anwar suggested I have to be practical now and have to visit them. What my friends like to suggest ?

It is best that you visit them and resolve things in person.

Quote from: mail4ajo on October 25, 2010, 09:16:10 PM

The IE code is always asked while the law states that IE code is exempted for "Persons importing or exporting goods for personal use not connected with trade or manufacture or agriculture".

By IE codes I hope you mean HS (Harmonized System) codes.
I have been to PAD twice. Just last Saturday I went to accompany one of my friend whose ARF Foamy was stuck due to missing invoice. In the letter We/I never mentioned the HS codes.

Unless you are not importing just too many items (in a single package) or multiple nos of same items, customs wont make too much of fuss. The Key is 'Order small and often' - keep away from importing Radio if you can find it in India itself.

Quote from: ujjwaana on October 26, 2010, 01:25:59 PM
By IE codes I hope you mean HS (Harmonized System) codes.

The IE code stands for I(mporter) E(xporter code. HS codes are product description/classifications that are international. So HS code "xxx " will classify the product as "zzz" anywhere in the world.

Its not HS codes, but IE code issued by DFT. Issued for people engaged in EXIM. Its not required for personal EXIM. But customs ask for it thinking we are importing commercial. We have to convince them that its personal and charge lower duty rate of 14.712%.