Custom's clearance time at the moment.

Mclaneinc · Post by **Mclaneinc** » 31 Jul 2020, 15:32

Hi folk,

Like many during this lockdown I ordered some electronic gear from Aliexpress in China, now all bar one item arrived in the usual slow but sure way, however the one that is apparently in the country shows as awaiting custom's clearance, but its been like this for 2 weeks. Do I presume that customs has a backup?

It's just that stuff ordered after this item (a very cheap desolder tool) has been through the system and got here while this other one is in limbo.

I think I saw a post that said customs was in backlog, does anyone know the level of time it might take?

Thanks...

Paul..

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 31 Jul 2020, 15:42

Any chance that it contains a lithium battery?

Mclaneinc · Post by **Mclaneinc** » 31 Jul 2020, 15:57

No chance at all, just an element and a solenoid basically, no memory need, point and click :)

Melts the solder, press the button and it sucks it up..

What is up with the batteries..

Oh, and thanks for the reply..

Paul.

Post by **Snaggletooth** » 31 Jul 2020, 16:12

There are no published figures for customs clearance times, but if you look through recent posts on this site you will see lots of examples of items taking a long time to be cleared.

Clearance times are variable anyway because items are picked at random for extra checks.

Batteries are a frequent cause of problems under the Dangerous Goods Act, see also paint & varnish, oil & grease, alcohol over 24% ABV, perfume...

Mclaneinc · Post by **Mclaneinc** » 31 Jul 2020, 16:21

Ah thank you, so it's random...Just my luck :)

Thank you both so much...I have to expect the unexpected it seems..

Just clicked that the paperwork will say desolder GUN even though its just about the shape of it..

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 31 Jul 2020, 16:40

Mclaneinc wrote:Ah thank you, so it's random...Just my luck :)

Thank you both so much...I have to expect the unexpected it seems..

Just clicked that the paperwork will say desolder GUN even though its just about the shape of it..

It's possible that having "Gun" on the customs declaration might have caused it to have extra checks

Mclaneinc · Post by **Mclaneinc** » 01 Aug 2020, 13:44

Yes indeed, because its hand held and you point it at the solder it gets nick named a gun but it does not shoot anything...

The joys of shopping from China, cheap but problematic..

My daughter has just said a pair of pajamas she ordered has been awaiting custom clearance for a month....I wish she had said it before..

Oh well...You live and learn..

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 01 Aug 2020, 14:21

Mclaneinc wrote:Yes indeed, because its hand held and you point it at the solder it gets nick named a gun but it does not shoot anything...

If customs use a machine to check the customs declarations then the software might flag any containing "gun" for extra checks.

We don't know what the sender actually put on the customs declaration

Mclaneinc · Post by **Mclaneinc** » 12 Aug 2020, 15:08

Still saying the same thing, "Awaiting customs clearance"...Sigh...Holding my gear hostage...

As long as it does not vanish...

Conair · Post by **Conair** » 08 Sep 2020, 18:25

Hi did you ever receive your parcel Experiencing the same problem.