Aliexpress - Failed to clear at import customs?

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SirHumphreyAppleby

2844 posts

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#3099067 3-Jul-2023 14:27

surfisup1000:

NZ Post told me this has been an increasing problem with aliexpress, and it happens because the shipper does not accurately describe the goods, or , they are writing the import documentation in chinese and customs cannot read it.

If anything, it's an increasing problem with bureaucracy, not the quality of declarations, because they have always been terrible.

boosacnoodle

963 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3099082 3-Jul-2023 15:03

surfisup1000:

This happened to me 4 weeks ago.

NZ Post are probably the local postal agent, call NZ post and explain the situation and give them your tracking info. NZ Post told me this has been an increasing problem with aliexpress, and it happens because the shipper does not accurately describe the goods, or , they are writing the import documentation in chinese and customs cannot read it.

In my case, i emailed the online invoice to NZ post, they emailed it to customs, who then released my goods about a week later.

Wasn't a big deal in the end.

If they can't read the declaration... they could simply open it? They open things to inspect them all the time anyway for things like food and other prohibited / restricted items.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#3099152 3-Jul-2023 17:26

boosacnoodle:

surfisup1000:

This happened to me 4 weeks ago.

NZ Post are probably the local postal agent, call NZ post and explain the situation and give them your tracking info. NZ Post told me this has been an increasing problem with aliexpress, and it happens because the shipper does not accurately describe the goods, or , they are writing the import documentation in chinese and customs cannot read it.

In my case, i emailed the online invoice to NZ post, they emailed it to customs, who then released my goods about a week later.

Wasn't a big deal in the end.

If they can't read the declaration... they could simply open it? They open things to inspect them all the time anyway for things like food and other prohibited / restricted items.

Yes, that could easily just open it. But there may be an extra charge if they have to do that. That's what I was told by customs.

Lias

5589 posts

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#3099207 3-Jul-2023 19:54

I long ago came to the realisation that NZ Customs are just an absolute pack of incompetent power tripping little bureaucrats. Blame them, not AliExpress.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

decibel

315 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3099697 4-Jul-2023 15:14

surfisup1000:... NZ Post told me this has been an increasing problem with aliexpress, and it happens because the shipper does not accurately describe the goods, or , they are writing the import documentation in chinese and customs cannot read it. ..

Are we so arrogant that we insist that everything must be written in English? Do we write documentation in Chinese on all our exports to the PRC?

And surely Customs could find/employ a staff member who reads Chinese!!

surfisup1000

5288 posts

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#3100113 5-Jul-2023 10:53

decibel:

surfisup1000:... NZ Post told me this has been an increasing problem with aliexpress, and it happens because the shipper does not accurately describe the goods, or , they are writing the import documentation in chinese and customs cannot read it. ..

Are we so arrogant that we insist that everything must be written in English? Do we write documentation in Chinese on all our exports to the PRC?

And surely Customs could find/employ a staff member who reads Chinese!!

Yes, that would be a great system. Would you want all languages translated?

decibel

315 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3100225 5-Jul-2023 14:20

surfisup1000:

Yes, that would be a great system. Would you want all languages translated?

Not Swahili but as China is our major trading partner, I don't see why we can't do theirs.

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richms

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#3100239 5-Jul-2023 15:01

My orders for this bluetooth monitor came thru really quickly https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005057800182.html - dont have the packaging anymore but it was not a relabled one, it came direct rather that thru the consolodator.

Richard rich.ms

loceff13

1065 posts

Uber Geek

#3100414 5-Jul-2023 20:50

If anyone has this issue in the future I tend to email ecommerceenquiries@nzpost.co.nz

Also include an invoice from the purchase. Sometimes it works, sometimes they want it direct from the sender.

tchart

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#3100700 6-Jul-2023 17:51

Oh looks like it’s on the move again…

Guess we will see if it’s been opened?

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