Shipments from the UAE to the US tracking status 'Import Terminated'

[aakasaa]

Hello,

I found out that the tracking status of all my shipments from Dubai (UAE) to the US starting from mid-December 2024 till now are 'Import terminated', probably some of them were already delivered, but some buyers are complaining and raising requests of non delivered items. Any idea what's happening, is it a new policy, I may consider stop selling to the US till have a clear picture of the situation, any help, much appreciated.  

[sin-n-dex]

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@aakasaa wrote:

Hello,

I found out that the tracking status of all my shipments from Dubai (UAE) to the US starting from mid-December 2024 till now are 'Import terminated', probably some of them were already delivered, but some buyers are complaining and raising requests of non delivered items. Any idea what's happening, is it a new policy, I may consider stop selling to the US till have a clear picture of the situation, any help, much appreciated.  

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Can you tell us what you were selling?

And perhaps provide an example of the tracking of one for us to take a look?

We would have a better idea if your packages were delivered or not if we knew what you were selling (maybe it's something that's not allowed to be shipped to USA).

C.

[kensgiftshop]

If it says Import Terminated, my guess would be they didn't receive their items.

Have any of the packages been returned?

[aakasaa]

Hello,

Thanks for your reply. I sell stamps, philatelic material, I've been doing this for many years, but since December I notice this change in the status, and by the way, this status appears only when checking the tracking number in the Emirates Post website, the status in the USPS is always 'ORIGIN POST IS PREPARING SHIPMENT', for example tracking number RR513022184AE, still not delivered. 

Thanks again.

[aakasaa]

Hello,

Thanks for your reply. Nothing returned till now.

Thanks again.

[lacemaker3]

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@aakasaa wrote:

Hello,

Thanks for your reply. I sell stamps, philatelic material, I've been doing this for many years, but since December I notice this change in the status, and by the way, this status appears only when checking the tracking number in the Emirates Post website, the status in the USPS is always 'ORIGIN POST IS PREPARING SHIPMENT', for example tracking number RR513022184AE, still not delivered. 

Thanks again.

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@aakasaa,

Do you always use registered mail? does this problem only affect registered mail, or also other shipping services?

When you use registered mail, is the tracking integrated with eBay, and can you view the status of the shipment on eBay? or only on the post office websites?

What kind of customs form did you use, and was it the USPS version of the form, or one from Dubai Post?

[aakasaa]

I always send by registered mail with a tracking number, I've been sending to the US for years with no problems, I have just received a new complaint from another buyer, the same problem, shipment was sent 14th of January, it's happening for all shipments since mid of December.

[lacemaker3]

Thanks for the info. I still need to know these answers:

When you use registered mail, is the tracking integrated with eBay, and can you view the status of the shipment on eBay? or only on the post office websites?

What kind of customs form did you use on the envelopes or packages?

[aakasaa]

Yes, the tracking integrated with eBay, I can see the status of the shipment on eBay which is exactly the same as the USPS website. I didn't use any customs form.

[kensgiftshop]

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@aakasaa wrote:

I didn't use any customs form.

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That might be part of the problem.

[lacemaker3 · Accepted solution]

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@aakasaa wrote:

Yes, the tracking integrated with eBay, I can see the status of the shipment on eBay which is exactly the same as the USPS website. I didn't use any customs form.

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Thanks for confirming that.

The problem may be the lack of customs forms. There have been reports of packages being delayed, and the most likely explanation is because they are having to go through customs inspections.

The customs form normally has a place to indicate where the items were manufactured, which would have allowed them to be sorted for customs. If there is no information on the package where the items were manufactured, that could explain the delay. I don't know if they will be accepted or not. This is a very new situation, and the tariff requirements are being changed frequently.

I don't recommend using registered mail for shipments to the USA, any way. They are not tracked once they reach the USA, not reliably.

[aakasaa]

Many thanks for all your replies, I guess you are right, it's a new situation, today for example I was checking on one of the delayed shipments, sent in Jan 06, 2025, as per the USPS, just arrived at 'TACOMA WA DISTRIBUTION CENTER March 4', almost two months, the problem is that eBay buyers can raise a request for a refund, I am not sure if someone can get the refund back once the shipment finally received.

I thank you very much for your time and efforts, you've been very helpful, have a nice day.