customs question

[stevemac]

ok guys, I got a scare today. I was waiting for some gear to come and I see a package for me along with another package both about the same size. I'm living in Canada right now and both packages were from the states. one of the packages has this big yellow sticker on it that says opened by customs! I was terrified to see what was inside, I oped it and it turns out to be a PS2 game I got off ebay, and the other unopened package was my gear. Why did they open that package??? What makes customs open certain packages? is it random? The only thing I can figure is that on the package they opened it did not have that green sticker that the US post has that says the value and what is in the package, but customs might of taken that off. I dont know, but I got a good scare. also, why is the US customs opening it, wouldnt it be canada customs if its coming into this country?

[liftheavy54]

I've gotten legit stuff from the UK and they had both countries stickers on them. a green sticker from the UK and that yellow tape from U.S. then i've gotten many with nothing on them at all.

[stevemac]

Originally Posted by liftheavy54

I've gotten legit stuff from the UK and they had both countries stickers on them. a green sticker from the UK and that yellow tape from U.S. then i've gotten many with nothing on them at all.

now that's really weird. I wonder why US customs would care if it was going into Canada?

[kemo]

Originally Posted by stevemac

now that's really weird. I wonder why US customs would care if it was going into Canada?

US Customs opens packaged leaving the country for several reasons. For instance, there are certain military items that they do not want shipped into other countries. I have a friend who is a gunsmith, and his shipment was stopped because it had some trigger parts for an AR-15 (M-16) in the package. Further, US Customs also considers this a method of stopping illegal laundering of money, international drug trafficking, etc.

One of the reasons for the Green Customs sticker is to inform US Customs of what is inside.....many people think it is for the foreign government....not so.

Bottom line is this.....any time your package crosses the border, it falls into Customs jurisdiction and is subject to search.

Hope this helps,

Kemo