Held by import Customs

[alexsolomon]

I bought a new laptop from China through Ebay and the item arrived  at Los Angeles international airport on June 28.  Then the status changed to "Held by import Customs" on July 02. There has been no change since then. What does "Held by import Customs" mean?  Since the value of the laptop price I paid for it (via PayPal) is $255, it is under the limit of $800 for personal goods import, no? So why the hold and what can I do to get more information so that I can have the item released from customs or request Ebay for a refund. Thanks! 

[gosimus]

@alexsolomon 

< status changed to "Held by import Customs" on July 02 >    

I have an electric bass that I bought from Japan – a Fender model JB62M, if it matters – that was held in Customs in Chicago for a week.  By that seventh day I was really starting to sweat, but then it showed up at my door.  This is only the third day that yours has been in Customs, and a holiday was during those three days, so I'd expect it in another week or so.  Good luck.      

The JB62M has a 32" scale and Fender-USA didn't/doesn't make them, so I had to buy a Japanese one.  In the US we measure scale length from the nut to the bridge, but in Japan they measure from the nut to the 12th fret, so the stated dimension is half of what we're accustomed to seeing, plus it's in metric so that confuses the issue even further.     

[alexsolomon]

Thank you for the quick reply. I will provide an update once I receive the item. It may provide helpful information for someone who is sweating like I am  🙂 

[alexsolomon]

Still in customs, still sweating....

2023-07-05 16:04

US, CA Los Angeles INT,90045,In Customs

2023-07-02 15:18

US, CA Los Angeles INT,90045,Held by import Customs

2023-06-28 09:27

US, Arrive at Los Angeles international airport, CA 90045

[alexsolomon]

Update:

Well, what I was afraid of actually happened.  The package was never delivered to me. I contacted the seller and he started a claim process to recover the package. He cancelled the sale and refunded my money but after waiting for more than  a month, that was what I wanted nor expected.