Customs "Exception" (Belgium in a Box) - Ever See?

I had a similar thing happen on my last package from Belgium, took a couple days to get through customs, but everything was good.

 

It is too early to tell. From my experience this can go in a couple different directions.
1. It will eventually get released and sent to you.
2. It will get lost in the black hole of NY customs.
3. In 2-3 weeks you will get a notification in the mail about receipt of taxable items that are not permitted to be shipped via USPS. And you will have to decide what to do. Either forfeit the goods, return to sender or pay pentalty and plea for it's release.

I had a write-up in Beer General Help about my case with a box incoming from the Netherlands through Miami border protection and how it was resolved. I'll come back and edit with a link to my story.

Link: http://beeradvocate.com/community/t...ion-bottles-removed.61751/page-2#post-1053197

 

I'm in the same boat right now... held at jfk... same message.

 

Is this also BiaB?

 

yes

 

Any update on your exception? Mine still has the same status.

 

I emailed BIAB and inquired but haven't heard anything back yet. This was a big order for me so I'm certainly concerned (Cantillon 10 pack they had for 150 euros plus a few extra bottles). Never had an issue before, but it looks like they used a different shipping company for me this time. Hopefully it all gets resolved. It's always taken 2 weeks for me to get my packages, something similar may have always happened and I just wasn't aware of it.

 

Does anyone understand why BiaB and Etre insist on this questionably-legal nonsense of labeling stuff as "glassware" and hoping it gets through customs? I've also placed orders from Master of Malt and other overseas liquor shops, and they do everything on the up-and-up. Declare it as alcohol, collect the duties (not very much, really), and ship through an international logistics service that consistently gets the stuff to me faster than you would think possible, and in much better condition than most boxes I've received from Belgium.

 

I wasn't aware that I could track my package. I've probably ordered from BiaB a half dozen times and just hoped for the best. Where do I find the tracking info? My package has taken over two weeks. Not normal.

 

they email me a tracking number. this one came from TNT

 

I don't know the answer, but I'd imagine it has something to do with either logistical ease or tax liabilities (on their end). Like, their prices may be inclusive of VAT, and technically they shouldn't be charging that to you, but they're pocketing the difference or it's less paperwork something.

Agreed though, it would be much easier to just pay an extra 5% and be guaranteed no customs issues.

 

It's possible that requires licenses they don't want to pay for. Or maybe it works differently for beer. There's also a lot of hassle with individual states having different laws about mailing alcohol.

 

TNT is where my boxes from Netherlands come from. I think, but am not positive, that Great Britain also has them. I've never had a Belgian box come from them, commercial or private.

 

Yeah it was always bpost.be in the past for my packages from BIAB.

 

I agree re: Kurt. His prices are a bit high, IMO, but he's a pleasant guy. Really goes out of his way for you.

 

New twist, but no idea what it means:

25 Jun 2013 09:00:00 New York Jfk Airport Held Customs, Awaiting Clearance Instructions From Receiver.