The Wholesale Forums

[jheine2]

well I am obviously not a trader because I barly know what the heck is going on. I have 6 brothers and 7 brother-in-laws so I was going to use the ones I didn't like as gifts. To be classified as a do you have to have a liciense or is it just understood that if you buy in bulk that you are probably a trader?

[geosamm]

Lots of factors are taken into account.... amount you buy.... times you buy... what you do with what you buy etc etc. Some time ago if you sold 5 cars in a year you could be classed as a trader... even if they were your own cars you used for personal purposes, not sure this still applies and it was very rarely used... put simply.... if you make a profit on purchases without having the use of the items yourself "they" can look at you as a trader for tax and other legal purposes. The tax man is not that difficult to deal with really.... but C&E are a different matter.... they also look at how you buy... for example.... if you get the shipping costs hidden in the purchase invoice [if you know what I mean] they will naturally assume you know what you are doing business wise and lean heavily on you

[iBuy]

I wouldnt get too stressed, being in the forces, the Customs Officers live on my patch (street). I actually spoke to one of them about fake goods a while back at a BBQ. He gave me the general message that clothing is recieved hourly and if it is fake it is destroyed. He said it takes 100 forms to prosecute, 1 form to destroy. What are they going to do, destroy in most cases.

Customs Officers are looking for things like drugs and weapons. Whats a few fake shirts going to do?

And, they may not even open your package.

This may not be the case in USA, however, I imagine it works in a similar way.

[chrish5244]

Hi everyone, I've ordered 5 pairs of Nike trainers (fake) and the tracking status of my parcel is as follows;

24-06-2008 12:51 International Hub Delivered to HM Customs24-06-2008 12:51 International HubEn route to delivery depot20-06-2008 21:25 International HubAWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING20-06-2008 21:25 International HubArrived in destination country20-06-2008 17:23 Heathrow AirportArrived at destination country

Now I presume the latest line of this means it's been seized by customs as I've had the awaiting customs charging before but not the delivered to customs bit. Just wondered if anyone had had this exact wording before and what it means and what does actually happen if they've seized the parcel?? Been on a few other forums and it's just speculation really so just hoping someone else has had this status or an give me anymore info, phoned parcelforce(no help) and customs (no help so far). I know I've been stupid buying these and I won't be doing it again that's for sure! I orederd some handbags at the same time and they now say "arrived in country" status - held!!! Doesn't sound good but the bloke at cutoms said if a parcel is seized they will keep it but I hope that's all they do! Any help appreciated.

[jrev0]

Hi

All deliveries come up like this when they arrive at the destination airport.

I would be very surprised if an order this small got siezed.

They can be at the stage of Customs Charging for a few days as well ive noticed in the past.

Hope that helps

[chrish5244]

Hi, thanks. I was talking about the line that says "delivered to HM customs" I've not seen that before and the status says "delivered" which usually says in progress if it's in customs I think.

[theimporter]

1st I think you may be surpised to find that the goods turn up and not customs hiding behind the tree or disguised as the post man.

2nd If they are seized then didly squat will happen, if they are being shipped using a courier, ups, fedex, dhl, ems etc then they will inform you or a letter stating that your goods have been seized will trun up and thats it.

You may have to pay the courier for presenting the goods to customs but thats part of the contract so no choice.

Customs are not stupid but they are not as bad as everyone makes out, yes the power goes to the heads of some but that is true in all areas of society however by and large they are ok (or at least with me)! They will know how many parcels have been sent to the address from either the same shipper or others previously and if as you state its a first then chances are they wont bat an eye lid, if you have had goods coming one in the morning and one in the afternoon for a while and your luck has just run out then its a different case and you will have explaining to do.

Dont loose too much sleep over it.

Khalid

[chrish5244]

Thanks a lot Khalid, that's the most informative response I've had. I'm thinking they have been seized but if I don't end up getting busted I can live with that! I've ordered quite a few things in the past though, polo shirts/boots etc but usually with a few weeks or months in between so hopefully that will be ok. I wish I could get fashion items that weren't fake shipped in but the profit margin just doesn't seem to be there unless you've got a couple of grand to spend (maybe that's just me being lazy). Although it's seemed good inmporting this stuff and the profits are good I think I've learned my lesson now and I'll leave it.
Thanks again.

[theimporter]

Hey steady on,

Just because a tracking system is showing that customs have the goods that does not mean they have been busted...let me explain...

When couriers fedex, parcelforce, dhl, tnt, present goods to customs these are random or selected cages (big metal thing with lots of boxes in it) now the whole cage is not going to be checked just some items from it, even at this stage a couple of things can happen, the first is a check of the paper work or the form filled out declaring the contents and the value, if this appears to be ok or if customs need to put a charge on it then they will do so, 1 OR 2 packages will get a physical inspection and only then will customs decide to place a hold on goods.

You never know your luck may have run out, or your goods have simply been processed in a different manner this time, it could be as simple as the airport of offloading being different, you wont know until the goods are well over due and the courier isnt giving you straight answers or direct you to customs.

Again it REALLY is not something to worry about, next time if there is a next time give me a shout il give you a tip or two!

Khalid

[chrish5244]

Thanks again. Still can't help thinking they are keeping them though as staus says "delivered" but sounds like you know what you're talking about, if I were to order again I will def ask your advice. The bags I ordered are due today so that's one positive, might try phoning customs about the trainers todat though, just worried that might tip them off if they don't already know!