Problem with Chicago customs and my knife?

[deskjockey]

Inbound Into Customs
Your item is being processed by United States Customs.

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July 22, 2022, 10:23 pm
Processed Through Facility
ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)

I have no tracking updates on this knife since this one. At what point should I start to worry? It requires a signature for pick-up since it is insured so, I should be covered if it goes missing but, 5 days in Chicago?

 

[MSicardCutlery]

I shipped two knives in June that were held up for a week or maybe two weeks. No reason specified.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Mine was one of the knives @MSicardCutlery mentions. It sat for two weeks with zero updates and then just suddenly moved and everything was normal after that.

The little research I did indicated this is not necessarily a new or terribly uncommon issue with that location.

 

[esoo]

I have had a knife I shipped to the US appear to sit in that status for weeks until it suddenly was delivered. It was sent at a slightly lower level of service than I normally shipped. It was a bit stressful

 

[Greasylake]

I've had packages sit for a month before being cleared, you just have to wait and keep checking. Generally after it's released by customs it'll be delivered the following day.

 

[jedy617]

5 days is nothing for custom clearance

 

[Delat]

Agree, figure a minimum of a week, more like 2-3 weeks on average and sometimes more.

 

[ethompson]

I recently had a JNat shipped from Germany spend 6 weeks in a Chicago purgatory and another spend 2 weeks - same status yours now shows

 

[M1k3]

5 days is nothing for custom clearance

Especially for Chicago.

 

[Logan09]

Not sure where you got it from, but when I order blades from Japan they usually sit at ISC for a week before being cleared.

 

[gentiscid]

will be fine, be patient and wait

 

[MowgFace]

Should be fine.

Recently bought a knife from a fellow KKFer from NZ. They were fantastic sellers and did all the right things. However the courier/customs decided to make me sweat.

On my end tracking had its last update on like 7/2 that the knife was in LA (I live ~5 hours north in the Bay area) and according to what was quoted to my seller should have arrived on 7/8. The knife didn’t show up until 7/19. Not a single update in between.

I expected to have some note or fee that would explain why they held on so long or why there were no updates.

We talked about this in another thread, but I work in Manufacturing, and this is not a surprise as we are seeing shipping delays globally with all types of delivery. Parcel/freight/plane/boat… Late. Late. Late. Late.

 

[M1k3]

Something I remembered from a previous customs experience. Check the status on the departure shippers website.

 

[deskjockey]

Something I remembered from a previous customs experience. Check the status on the departure shippers website.

1. July 22, 15:23
   

   Shipment received in country of destination​

   Delivery moment still unknown​

2. July 20, 3:20
   Shipment is ready for transport to the country of destination
3. July 19, 3:23
   Shipment received by PostNL
4. July 15, 15:00
   Shipment expected, but not yet arrived at PostNL

 

[McMan]

Chicago customs is not for faint of heart.
I had a knife sit in customs there for nearly three months. Had another opened by customs and 'repacked' by just putting it in the box. Got the knife with the tip poking out of the box.
If it clears in weeks, consider that a win.

 

[esoo]

Try the 17track website - I've seen better tracking from it on occasion
https://m.17track.net/en/

 

[Ruso]

I thought this thread was about some new custom knife making shop in Chicago - “Chicago Customs ltd.” LOL.

The max I had an item stuck in customs was few weeks.

 

[deskjockey]

Try the 17track website - I've seen better tracking from it on occasion
https://m.17track.net/en/

Same results. Shows it was accepted by US Customs in Chicago.

 

[e30Birdy]

Chicago has always been terrible for me. Once had a package stuck there for a month and then had one that was sent between Chicago and New York for 3 months and no one at USPS would do anything about it even though one could see in the tracking how many times it went back and forth. I really hate Chicago for international mail to Germany.

 

[deskjockey]

My backpack and gear from FC-Moto.de sailed through!
My kitchen knife is in purgatory apparently.


July 24, 2022, 7:40 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility
DALLAS TX NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER

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Inbound Into Customs

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July 21, 2022, 7:53 pm
Processed Through Facility
ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)

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Origin Post is Preparing Shipment

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July 19, 2022, 8:02 am
Processed Through Facility
FRANKFURT/FLUGHAFEN, GERMANY

 

[RDalman]

I started using dhl express pretty much due to chicago customs

Like others say, it will probably clear, but can take weeks to sometimes even month(s)

 

[WildBoar]

While the package is in Customs, USPS cannot check the status.

Well then can, but not easily. They have some special terminals that can allow them to "look in". But if you go to your local Post Office it is likely they will not have the ability to do so. It may be easier for some carriers to check, but it is definitely no easy for USPS.

 

[Gregmega]

I have a fairy high value knife in Chicago as well. Left Europe on the 11th, showed up in the system on the 18th (?!!), cleared and outbound from customs on the 27th, and no movement since. First time waiting this long, but I’m comforted knowing I’m not alone. Also first time I’ve had a knife go through Chicago. I’d happily have paid 5x what I did in the future. This is A number one bullsh1t.

 

[deskjockey]

Week #1

Inbound Into Customs
Your item is being processed by United States Customs.

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July 22, 2022, 10:23 pm
Processed Through Facility
ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)

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Origin Post is Preparing Shipment

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July 20, 2022, 12:15 pm
Processed Through Facility
AMSTERDAM Y PAKKETPOST, NETHERLANDS

 

[sansho]

was it declared for >800 usd? hopefully it's not waiting on duty or inspection fee (MPF)

 

[Gregmega]

was it declared for >800 usd? hopefully it's not waiting on duty or inspection fee (MPF)

That’s never held up my packages in the past. Or theoretically it shouldn’t.

 

[sansho]

basically
0-800usd declared value: doesn't get inspected
800-1500: sometimes gets inspected
>1500: often gets inspected

 

[Gregmega]

I think you may be overestimating the degree of intensity that they actually inspect packages. I’ve had many packages well over 800 (including large sums for one of my companies) and still never experienced this long of a wait without any communication or status update. Usually it’s a pretty quick digital transaction that loosens up the item within a matter of hours after being flagged (as they’re in the business of making money just like me). This discussion really says it all in the title: Chicago sucks.

 

[sansho]

i think i accurately explained the reality of package inspection frequency and how it relates to declared value.

of course they like making money (don't we all). despite that, recipients doesn't necessarily get good insight into what's going on. i think you may overestimating their competency, and i'm just raising awareness of a real and not uncommon issue. RTS can and does happen because of unpaid duty/MPF, and tracking pages don't always indicate the problem before it's too late.

i'm not saying that's his problem. but it could be.

 

[Gregmega]

The overwhelming frequency of Chicago being specifically identified suspect in this thread from US and international participants leads me to believe that it’s likely Chicago as the culprit. Regardless of their practices- it’s clear to me now at least- price is not a deciding factor as much as Chicago sucking is.