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

I agree, Kurt has always been very responsive and provided great service. He's helping me navigate through this hick-up with Customs and assuming it all works out I'm sure I'll shop with him again in the future.

 

It sounds like you've got some papers coming your way from customs asking for clarification of what's in the box.

 

This really sucks I've never had beer stuck in customs but I've had some other things over the years. It's really just a black hole and bad luck when packages get stuck. The fastest I've ever got packages through JFK customs was with TNT so it really is just random. I hope you guys get it resolved soon. Kurt is awesome he will take care of you.

 

I'm having similar issues. I ordered from BiaB and based on the shipping info it looked like it cleared customs in Chicago and just sat there for a week before I got the exception and "Shipment returned to origin. Follow up actions underway."

When I called TNT (who were really friendly and helpful btw) I was told that customs/FDA requested paperwork which hadn't been provided and BiaB couldn't/wouldn't provide the paperwork so BiaB requested it be returned to them. I think it was FDA, not customs that was the issue. I'm not sure if they're still claiming it's glassware and maybe that's the problem, the TNT order note said "Lambic."

I emailed Kurt; we'll see what response I get.

 

Fast response from Kurt:

"Yes I requested them shipping back the box. I am re-sending you the order on my behalf, also I want to express my apologies for the delay. I was using BPost-US Postal for all my shipments for the last 3 yrs with excellent results, but I wanted to try out TNT Express cause they promised me a 48hr delivery window. Now this proves to be not the case and US customs is not letting through 'SOME' of the boxes and this is not good enough for me as you can imagine..

So as soon the box makes it back I am re-sending you the box with a beer-compensation to make up for the delay."

I wish he had sent out an email letting me know what was up without me asking, but I can't blame him for trying a new service. The box did get to the states very quickly. I'm guessing some of you are going to be in the same boat....

 

How'd this end up working out for you? I was thinking of ordering through BiaB but being A PA resident makes me hesitant.

 

I haven't heard anything since that June 26th email, I just sent a follow up email to Kurt yesterday checking on the status of the new shipment. I assume his old method doesn't allow for tracking info?

 

All good for you, a tad concerning for me since my original shipment was at about the same time but I haven't gotten new tracking info yet, much less the actual beer.

 

I have no idea, I never received a shipment confirmation, I'm guessing it still hasn't been sent based on what you're saying. I had assumed there wasn't going to be any tracking info so that's why I hadn't received any emails.

 

i wish kurt was in brussels so i could visit his shop.

 

Got my box today, all the beers I ordered intact. Kurt was great with communication and I really appreciate his help!

 

So it's just me who isn't getting beer or any communication (other than that linkedin request from Kurt)?

 

Maybe he's not getting your emails? Try going on the website and commenting on your order. Kurt always replied to me within a day or two. Sorry that you're having a hard time cleaning up your customs issues.

 

He got my email from last month, not sure why he wouldn't be getting them anymore (or why I wouldn't have gotten anything from him regardless by now) but I did try commenting on my order yesterday, we'll see if that does anything.

I don't believe it's been clearly stated, but what I'm gathering is that everyone else got an email when the package was reshipped and/or got an email with tracking information. I've gotten neither so I'm assuming it hasn't been shipped out again.

I'm hoping he's just been on vacation for the past couple weeks or something and that's why he's not getting back to me.

 

Did he end up switching from TNT shipping? I placed two orders with BIAB, one with old method and one with TNT. The older delivery service had it to me in about two weeks, TNT took a little over a month and wanted to send my box to Chelsey Shores (I live along the Illinois/Wisconsin border, no "shores" here). I emailed Kurt and he corrected the mistake and I eventually received my box; agree with others sentiment on stand-up customer service...he has earned a customer for life.

 

He originally shipped TNT but had it returned to him when it didn't clear customs. That was a month ago. As noted above he said he'd ship out using BPost/USPS once he got the box back. I assume he got the box back a long time ago because TNT just took just a day or two to get it to Chicago and I assume it wouldn't take a month to get it back. I haven't heard a thing since then about my shipment and am getting to the point of trying to determine how long I wait before calling my credit card company and having them cancel the charge and refund my money.

I do not understand how everyone else is having such a positive experience and talking about great communication and customer service when I've been having such problems. Even the initial TNT problem didn't have any communication from Kurt until I asked the question. I spent 15 minutes on the phone with TNT figuring out what was going on because Kurt hadn't let me know.

I'm getting tired of my BA friends asking me if I ever got the box and laughing at me.