Fentanyl and Customs Agents

[Gorgon]

Most Canucks are aware of the Fentanyl scare mania throughout the country as it is on the news every day.
Listened to an interview today on the radio with a customs agent.
Most important info; When you buy a blu/dvd/steel, item, etc.. from east Asia, you might wish to ensure the seller is putting their return info on the package or it will probably be opened, as in ALL of it opened, including Blu case.
Now I've always received my packages with a Customs Declaration attached and that info always appears but if somehow a person sends one without, well, see initial point.
Also, a Customs Dec doesn't prevent open searches so if you receive a requested item sealed and it arrives opened, it could have been Customs.
I think most of us know this but it's not a bad thing to repeat it.

[aaron158]

in all the years of ordering things over seas i've only ever had 3 packages opened by customs and they never open the actual item.

i had one a few months ago the guy from the uk didn't even bother to fill out the customs forum and they didn't seem to worried about opening it to check.

[Gorgon]

I'm just relaying what I heard friend. The times, they are a changin'...

[Deadguy2322]

I think most of Richmond BC customs agents are using fentanyl, the length of time it takes for things to clear that port is ridiculous, and frankly unacceptable for a nation that does so much trade with China.

[jdrouette]

Originally Posted by Deadguy2322

I think most of Richmond BC customs agents are using fentanyl, the length of time it takes for things to clear that port is ridiculous, and frankly unacceptable for a nation that does so much trade with China.

Unfortunately, mail from all foreign countries has been slowed down because of the backlog of customs clearances. Air Mail parcels that would arrive from the US or UK within a couple of weeks now take more than a month. One parcel of mine shipped from England via International Priority Air Mail took over two months to arrive.

[Deadguy2322]

Originally Posted by jdrouette

Unfortunately, mail from all foreign countries has been slowed down because of the backlog of customs clearances. Air Mail parcels that would arrive from the US or UK within a couple of weeks now take more than a month. One parcel of mine shipped from England via International Priority Air Mail took over two months to arrive.

This country has third-world postal service and we pay way too much for it thanks to sweetheart deals given to the unions. We should demand better, but people voted in an idiot who thinks changing our national anthem was a higher priority than the economy, just because his last name gave them a boner.

[Chiu.0606]

Originally Posted by jdrouette

Unfortunately, mail from all foreign countries has been slowed down because of the backlog of customs clearances. Air Mail parcels that would arrive from the US or UK within a couple of weeks now take more than a month. One parcel of mine shipped from England via International Priority Air Mail took over two months to arrive.

Same situation with me too. CDs ordered from US on Dec 22, still haven't arrived (Vancouver) after more than 45 days. Discs ordered from UK on Jan 5, also no show. But another ordered from US on Jan 24, arrived today Feb 8 without delay. I really don't know where my previously ordered items are actually lost or still with Customs? Doesn't make sense at all.

[jdrouette]

Originally Posted by Chiu.0606

Same situation with me too. CDs ordered from US on Dec 22, still haven't arrived (Vancouver) after more than 45 days. Discs ordered from UK on Jan 5, also no show. But another ordered from US on Jan 24, arrived today Feb 8 without delay. I really don't know where my previously ordered items are actually lost or still with Customs? Doesn't make sense at all.

For what it's worth, I have yet to have a package lost by Canada Post. I have always eventually received them, even after more than two months. It just takes a lot more patience than it did before.

[TM2-Megatron]

Personally, I haven't noticed any delays. I've been ordering quite a few things, both from the US and overseas (Amazon UK, DE, IT) and most of it I've received very quickly. so much so that I'm usually left impressed. US parcels tend to take 1-1.5 weeks, while European stuff tends to be 2-3 (though the majority have been closer to 2 than 3). I ordered a few 4K blu-rays from Amazon Japan in December... I ordered them on a Saturday and received them 2 days later, on Monday afternoon. I only wish Amazon Canada were so fast. A recent order from RoninFlix in the US took less than a week to get to me.

But then, I'm in Toronto. I'm sure Canada Post is putting greater focus on Vancouver, as much more stuff would be arriving there from China and other countries that export a lot of illegal goods/narcotics. The only items I've ordered in the past 6 months that took a little longer than I was used to to get here were some Blu-rays from JB Hi-Fi in Australia (4-5 weeks). However, that was the first time I've ever ordered anything from that country so I have no idea what the typical timeline is.

[Deadguy2322]

Originally Posted by TM2-Megatron

Personally, I haven't noticed any delays. I've been ordering quite a few things, both from the US and overseas (Amazon UK, DE, IT) and most of it I've received very quickly. so much so that I'm usually left impressed. US parcels tend to take 1-1.5 weeks, while European stuff tends to be 2-3 (though the majority have been closer to 2 than 3). I ordered a few 4K blu-rays from Amazon Japan in December... I ordered them on a Saturday and received them 2 days later, on Monday afternoon. I only wish Amazon Canada were so fast. A recent order from RoninFlix in the US took less than a week to get to me.

But then, I'm in Toronto. I'm sure Canada Post is putting greater focus on Vancouver, as much more stuff would be arriving there from China and other countries that export a lot of illegal goods/narcotics. The only items I've ordered in the past 6 months that took a little longer than I was used to to get here were some Blu-rays from JB Hi-Fi in Australia (4-5 weeks). However, that was the first time I've ever ordered anything from that country so I have no idea what the typical timeline is.

That 4 to 5 weeks was likely one week in transit at most, followed by weeks languishing in Langley. It’s ridiculous. I am still waiting for 4 items that arrived there in November, FFS.

[TM2-Megatron]

Probably so... flights only take so long between Australia and Canada, after all. So one way or another, it was sitting in one country or the other for several weeks. However, I got it in the end and no worse for wear. It was sent using the cheapest, basic shipping option and I have no complaints.

The real blame here lies with the criminals responsible for fentanyl, both at home and abroad. It's bad enough in the form people ingest, but in the concentrated form it's sent in, very strict safety protocols have to be maintained which I imagine is the reason for most of the delays. And above those criminals, our illustrious leaders (left and right alike) who are criminals themselves and do nothing about the poverty that leads to these drugs being in high demand.

[RonnieH1991]

This is interesting to read. I'm not from Canada but am following the fentanyl issue and I was wondering how it may effect shipping and selling in other countries.