Anyone have experience importing games overseas?

Forever Zero

Last month I won a Sharp Twin Famicom from Japan in an Ebay auction. Seller seems legit with 100% feed back and shipped the item promptly. It reached the US and has been stuck in customs since November 26th. The status on the tracking says "in customs - AMC Los Angeles". At first I wasn't too worried about it because it's the holidays and I figured maybe they just have a lot of packages this time of the year. Then I started reading stories on the internet about items being held in customs and now I'm starting to worry. Is it possible that they have seized my package? Or is this normal because of the holidays and I should wait it out more? Really have no clue what to do...

rondy_

how many items did you order? Did you pay Registered or EMS?

Forever Zero

Just one item. It was EMS, sorry forgot to mention that.

rondy_

Well, its been a while for being EMS, but it might be here by next week. If not, just contact the seller, most Japanese sellers ship EMS w/ insurance.

Cabanon

too long for EMS. it takes 4 days from Japan to reach Quebec and that does include the week-end.

Blinded By The Light

I'd probably listen to everyone before me, but from experience, I've actually had the same thing happen to me, I waited for at least a wekk, and then it showed up one day and didn't update until it was on my porch. I guess sometimes carriers just don't scan them in.

rondy_

Originally posted by: Blinded By The Light



I'd probably listen to everyone before me, but from experience, I've actually had the same thing happen to me, I waited for at least a wekk, and then it showed up one day and didn't update until it was on my porch. I guess sometimes carriers just don't scan them in.

this.



I've ordered at least 10 times from Japan and once it reaches customts, the tracking doesnt update and you get it within a week, max two.

DejahThoris

I wouldn't worry about it. Sometimes things just get caught up there. I've had items sit for 3-4 weeks (only two occasions inside of 200+ int'l transactions), but they always have made it here. Like others have said, a good deal of the time it won't even update until delivery, but sometimes they'll just keep hold of it for whatever reason. Only start worrying if it starts moving out of the country again.

Starwander

If a package is stopped by customs it usually takes up to four weeks to be cleared.

Forever Zero

Thanks for the replies everyone. I don't order from Japan very often due to the high shipping cost and this is the first time I had this happen. I feel better now after reading replies.