US Customs Export Control Says: I’m Screwed

May 07th, 2021 | Category: Business | Author: Steve

Update: It looks like this problem may have been resolved by USPS, with international shipments sent May 11 or later proceeding normally. But there’s still confusion about the source of the problem, the date it was resolved, and whether it’s truly fixed. It appears it’s necessary to buy new postage to reship any returned packages – reshipping using the original postage label reportedly does not work. Unfortunately, all requests for postage refunds have been denied so far.

Help! This is very bad. Since sometime about April 26, nearly every international shipment I’ve sent has been returned by US Export Control, for unknown reasons. The packages come back with an export compliance sticker that says something is “missing”, but doesn’t explain further. I discussed the problem with the staff at my local post office, but they couldn’t explain it either, and said the customs information on the package looked OK to them. They also said that when an outbound package is rejected by US Export Control, there’s basically no recourse: the customs inspectors don’t respond to calls or emails about specific packages. In the staff’s words, “You just have to guess”.

All of the packages were shipped by US Postal Service’s First Class Package International service. I’ve not recently changed anything about the packages, their contents, the address labels, or the customs information printed on the label. I’ve previously shipped thousands of substantially identical packages internationally without incident. But not anymore.

TL;DR – I am completely unable to ship any international packages, and I don’t know why, or who to ask for help. The shipments never get out of the USA.

To put it mildly, this is bad.

The specific package shown in the photo contained a ROM SIMM and an empty plastic case for one of my electronics products. But most of the rejected packages contained a BMOW Floppy Emu – a disk drive emulator for retro Apple computers.

None of the returned packages had been opened, so there was never any time that an export compliance person looked at the contents inside the package, looked at the item description on the label, and decided whether they matched. The decision to return the package was 100 percent based on the information printed on the label, perhaps combined with information submitted electronically when the postage was purchased. But nobody at the post office seems able explain anything more than that.

There are some clues. Here’s a list of every international shipment I made between April 19 and May 6.

Date	Destination	Tracking	Contents	Status
4/19/21	Canada	LW227139012US	Emu Bundle, ROM-inator	delivered
4/19/21	Bulgaria	UC009977527US	Emu Bundle	in transit, in USA
4/19/21	Canada	LW227139026US	Emu Bundle	in transit, outside USA
4/19/21	Germany	LW227139349US	Emu Bundle	delivered
4/19/21	Netherlands	LW227139352US	Emu Bundle	delivered
4/19/21	Italy	UC009977717US	Emu Bundle	in transit, in USA
4/19/21	Switzerland	UC009977725US	Emu Bundle	in transit, outside USA
4/19/21	Germany	LW227139882US	Emu Bundle	delivered
4/19/21	Austria	UC009977734US	Emu Bundle	in transit, in USA
4/19/21	Canada	LW227140038US	Emu Bundle	delivered
4/21/21	Japan	LW227159119US	Emu Bundle	delivered
4/21/21	Italy	UC009981138US	Emu Bundle	in transit, outside USA
4/21/21	Italy	UC009981141US	Emu Bundle	in transit, outside USA
4/21/21	Belgium	LW227159502US	Emu Bundle, ROM-inator	delivered
4/21/21	Netherlands	W227159516US	Emu Bundle	delivered
4/21/21	UK	LW227159935US	Emu Bundle	delivered
4/21/21	Switzerland	UC009981257US	Emu Bundle	in transit, outside USA
4/21/21	Finland	UC009981265US	Emu Bundle	in transit, outside USA
4/23/21	Japan	LW227178166US	Emu Bundle, ROM-inator	delivered
4/23/21	Canada	LW227178705US	Emu Bundle, ROM-inator, ADB cable	delivered
4/23/21	Australia	LW227178719US	ROM-inator	delivered
4/23/21	Canada	LW227178722US	Emu Bundle, SD card	delivered
4/26/21	Canada	LW227199020US	Emu Bundle, Noisy Disk	in transit, outside USA
4/26/21	Australia	LW227199033US	Emu Bundle	delivered
4/26/21	Canada	LW227199603US	Emu Case, ROM-inator	returned to sender
4/26/21	Italy	UC009987745US	Emu Bundle	in transit, in USA
4/28/21	Canada	LW227224665US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
4/30/21	UK	LW227242788US	Emu Case, Wombat Case	returned to sender
4/30/21	Sweden	UC009995619US	Noisy Disk, Daisy Chainer	in transit, outside USA
4/30/21	Italy	UC009995640US	Noisy Disk	in transit, in USA
5/3/21	UK	LW227275605US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/3/21	Canada	LW227275619US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/3/21	Australia	LW227275622US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/3/21	Czech Rep.	UC010000416US	Emu Bundle	in transit, in USA
5/3/21	Mexico	UC010000420US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/3/21	Belgium	LW227276035US	Emu Model C, ROM-inator	returned to sender
5/3/21	Germany	LW227276044US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/3/21	Germany	LW227276486US	Emu Bundle, SD card, ROM-inator	returned to sender
5/5/21	Canada	LW227298552US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/5/21	UK	LW227298566US	Daisy Chainer	in transit, outside USA
5/5/21	Netherlands	LW227298570US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/5/21	UK	LW227299116US	ROM-inator	in transit, outside USA
5/5/21	Australia	LW227299120US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/5/21	France	LW227299133US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/5/21	Switzerland	UC010004885US	Emu Bundle	returned to sender
5/6/21	Ireland	UC010007326US	Emu Bundle	in transit, in USA
5/6/21	Canada	LW227312529US	Emu Bundle, ROM-inator	returned to sender

Almost all of the packages shipped prior to April 26 have been delivered, or have at least made it outside the US. The three from before the 26th that show “in transit, in USA” are misleading because they all have tracking numbers starting with the letters UC, which indicates a destination country where tracking normally isn’t available beyond the US border.

But almost every package shipped After April 26 is either still stuck in the US, or has been returned.

Something changed within a few days around or after April 26. The date of change was probably May 1 – roughly when packages shipped April 26 would arrive for customs processing. A new customs inspector employee? New inspection procedures or policies? New export control laws? Or maybe something changed with Shippo, the service that I use to print the address and customs labels?

Notice that the return label says more information is available at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/ if you click on “Export Issues” under Consumer Help. But that section and that heading do not exist. I couldn’t find anything on that site to help explain what’s going on. Edit: see this 2018 archive.org backup of the uspis web site.

With no information and apparently no recourse, I’m starting to panic a little. For the time being I’ll have to disable all ordering for customers outside the USA, which is a large fraction of the total for BMOW. And I’ll have to contact all the customers whose shipments have already been impacted, or who’ve ordered and paid but whose packages haven’t yet shipped, and try to determine what’s the next step.

If you know anyone who works in any type of export manager capacity, who might be able to advise or consult with me on this, that would be fantastic. Or if you know anybody affiliated with the postal inspection service who might have insight into what’s going on, that would be great too. I’ll take all the help I can get to resolve this crisis.

Read 202 comments and join the conversation

202 Comments so far

Mike - May 14th, 2021 2:53 pm

Well, my two packages that I resent with the same label and more of a description came back. I’m going to test sending one of them with a new label today.
Mike - May 14th, 2021 3:09 pm

Also, going through this process, my memory recalls that the USPS click n ship site appears to have gone through a revamp/update around the time of these shipment issues started. I wonder if there is a correlation there.
Jimmy - May 14th, 2021 3:59 pm

I have a very similar issue, shipping a USPS package to Taiwan, used USPS.com’s Click and Ship service, printed off the 3 sheets and put them in a ziploc bag then taped it to the box. It was returned to me from San Francisco with a sticker outside the box “Returned due to export compliance: Missing”, nothing else inside the box, infact the box was not even opened or inspected.

I brought it down to my local post office and had them take a look; they said the USPS website customs form (CP 72-Customs Declaration) is OUTDATED AND NO LONGER IN USE. They had me fill out a new form at the office, PS Form 2976-R, but then stopped because they wanted to see if they can use the old/returned label which I had already paid for, this time with the new customs forms attached. Their supervisor advised me to call the number on the back of the customs form (1-800-222-1811) to request a refund for the already paid label. I called them, and they said they can’t do no refunds over the phone, but they will initiate an investigation into why this was returned to me.

So…I have no idea what is going on. Guess I’ll wait the 24-48hrs to hear back from them on why this was returned. I had shipped another package to Taiwan back in March, same recipient, same addresses, same shipping method, and that one went through without any issue. I was VERY specific with the item names, value, and weight in the package. Nothing hazardous, nothing prohibited.
RG - May 14th, 2021 4:02 pm

Shouldn’t there be an USPS ombudsman who we can all reach out to help here but nothing else will work going to individual post offices or call centers as they will all reject saying “you didn’t put something correctly” and hence packages were returned and USPS is not responsible for refund of the labels and looks like processing the same labels doesn’t go through based on below note.
Jimmy - May 14th, 2021 4:05 pm

The oddest thing is, I had also shipped a package to Taiwan back in mid-March, same recipient, same addresses, same services. That one went through totally fine after I dropped it off at the post office. This time, I had also dropped it off at the post office on 4/29, they scanned and accepted it, but then was rejected in San Francisco (see my post above). It is VERY odd that the USPS’s own website’s forms are, apparently, NO LONGER IN USE and we MUST handwrite a form for EACH international USPS package…I ended up shipping that package via UPS through my work instead >.<
RG - May 14th, 2021 4:06 pm

I looked for USPS ombudsman and only found out OIG for USPS who doesn’t deal with this sort of issue and recommend going to local Consumers affairs office . I found this website while researching this but haven’t tried submitting my request yet.
https://www.usps.com/help/international-claims.htm
Steve - May 14th, 2021 4:52 pm

I don’t know of an ombudsman, but try the USPS office of consumer affairs. Call 971-201-3700 and leave a message. A comment here from Chase Doyel on May 12 said they called him back, and confirmed that lots of people have this same exact issue, and it’s very strange, but basically there’s nothing they can really do about it. Maybe if enough of us call and report the same “Export Control – Missing” problem, it will eventually get the attention of somebody who can help.
Mike Cadoo - May 14th, 2021 4:43 pm

I tracked a parcel going to France that left here on the 13th. It cleared customs in ISC SAN FRANCISCO (USPS) today and tracking says it is on its way to its destination. There was no difference in the shipping label on that package than the ones sent on the 10th that were returned today. I think this has been rectified. Some advice that echoes some of those above. You should put a new label on the package and request a refund for the previous label from who you ship through (usps, paypal shippo, etc). I hope this nightmare is over.
Arazi Pinhas - May 14th, 2021 5:35 pm

With all the comments, it is hard to digest everything. A experienced a similar return message (“returned due to export compliance: missing”), bought the label through Shippo. My package was returned to me today.

Can anyone, in concise language, explain what that message truly means? Could someone clear the air about the whole situation?
Doug - May 14th, 2021 5:40 pm

No, it is too early. All this is speculation, but the main facts are: 1. All items were shipped via USPS in some manner (directly or via Shippo or others), 2. All were international and were processed via the San Fran International USPS export hub, 3. so far there is nothing concrete as to why this has happened, and it seems to have impacted shipmenets that have been successful just a few days/weeks prior to late April.
Steve - May 15th, 2021 6:50 am

Good news: All four of the new shipments I made on May 11 have now cleared US Export Control. It looks like this problem is now resolved. Whatever was broken seems to have been fixed sometime around May 10.

These were shipped with new postage labels – two from Shippo, one from PayPal, one from USPS Click n Ship. The packages were identical to the ones that were earlier returned to sender, except for having better item descriptions. But based on the comments here from others, I’m not sure the item descriptions were ever the problem.

I’m mad about losing hundreds of dollars in postage, creating dozens of unhappy customers, plus a week of my time wasted running around trying to get answers about this from an inscrutable bureaucracy.

And maybe it doesn’t really matter, but the engineer in me really wants to know exactly what the problem was.
Lotte - May 15th, 2021 6:56 am

We are hopeful that our parcels as of May 11th are also moving through the system properly. They show that they are at San Francisco now.

Side note: our parcels dated May 10th are on their way back to us.
Doug - May 15th, 2021 7:52 am

Great news, I will send mine out Monday amd report back if successful too. Thanks Steve, appreciate you setting up this site.
Steve - May 15th, 2021 7:55 am

I’m trying to determine exactly when the problem was fixed, if it is truly fixed, because the experiences that people have reported here aren’t entirely consistent. Some are saying that everything shipped after May 7 is OK, but others are reporting returned packages that were shipped as late as May 10, or processed by San Francisco IDC as late as May 11.

Brett: Mailed on 4/26, stopped and returned by San Francisco customs clearing on 5/11.

Chase Doyel: all our international orders (50+) processed after 5/7 have made it through customs in San Fran.

Santi: the glitch happened for any package of ours that reached the ISC SAN FRANCISCO from April 30th to May 7th (after that the same type of package, without any change on our part started going through)

Stephan: I sent a package to Japan on May 7, same thing, it came back yesterday, rejected at SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Mike Cadoo: I tracked a parcel going to France that left here on the 13th. It cleared customs in ISC SAN FRANCISCO (USPS) today and tracking says it is on its way to its destination. There was no difference in the shipping label on that package than the ones sent on the 10th that were returned today.

Me: All four of the new shipments I made on May 11 have now cleared US Export Control.

Lotte: We are hopeful that our parcels as of May 11th are also moving through the system properly. They show that they are at San Francisco now. Our parcels dated May 10th are on their way back to us.
vincent - May 15th, 2021 8:30 am

Same sitation here. Sent parcel, came back with that same sticker. Resent it, now it’s coming back again. Used usps click & ship. flippin’ sucks!!!
Mike - May 15th, 2021 9:41 am

Since my package mailed (with original USPS click and ship label came back the second time), I stripped the old label off and generated a new one in the same fashion yesterday. It appears to have made it through SF at this point in time, based on the tracking this morning. This would suggest the issue was in the back end somewhere with information transmitted from USPS to customs that was the issue.

May 15, 2021, 10:10 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
Your item arrived at our USPS facility in SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER on May 15, 2021 at 10:10 am. The item is currently in transit to the destination.

May 15, 2021, 10:10 am
Arrived at Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 15, 2021, 8:55 am
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
SAN JOSE, CA

May 15, 2021
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS
Steve - May 15th, 2021 9:52 am

Mike – I’m no expert about this, but I think that only shows your package is now at the San Francisco IDC. I don’t think a package has successfully passed through export control until it shows “Departed” or “Processed Through Regional Facility” from SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER.
Mike Cadoo - May 15th, 2021 10:18 am

hey Steve, I checked today and It says:

Your item departed our USPS facility in SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER on May 15, 2021 at 7:07 am. The item is currently in transit to the destination.

The others have said: Return to Sender

So I am optimistic.
Colin - May 15th, 2021 10:25 am

Just to add to the others, shipped two packages internationally this week:

12th May (returned, but new label and package, so exactly the same as the one below): “Your item was processed through our SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER facility” on 15th May
13th May (new order): “departed a transfer airport in INTERNATIONAL, SAN FRANCISCO” on 15th May

There’s another international one to go out today but it looks like they are going through, though with the usual random delays that seem to occur between San Jose and San Francisco.
Steve - May 15th, 2021 10:35 am

Colin – You purchased postage and shipped the package on May 12, but it was returned to sender? If so, that’s the latest date I’ve heard of anyone experiencing this problem. Others are reporting the problem resolved itself somewhere between May 7 to 11.
Colin - May 15th, 2021 10:40 am

Oh no, to clarify, the 12th May one originally shipped out on the 6th May, but was returned to sender. I scrapped the entire box as it was a little scabby from having been through the system, so it looked ‘new’ again. It was also a completely new label for 12th May with updated description/etc., but it didn’t move for 3 days, so I was getting worried (especially since the package from the 13th was already moving). I’m cautiously optimistic it’s just being slow, though.
RG - May 15th, 2021 3:13 pm

Here’s my tracking…it initially shows as if it cleared customs and on its way to next destination but a day later updated to Return to Sender. So it would be good to confirm the first package which really makes the destination.

May 10, 2021
1:50 pm
Return to Sender,
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94128

May 9, 2021
In Transit to Next Facility,

May 8, 2021
3:36 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility,
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 8, 2021
3:36 am
Customs Clearance,
ISC SAN FRANCISCO (USPS)

May 7, 2021
10:26 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility,
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
Susanna - May 15th, 2021 3:36 pm

Thanks for everyone\’s input here. I\’ve got three packages in my mailbox now with the same \’missing\’ customs label on them that\’s been described here – no details as to what is \’missing\’ and as far as I know, nothing is. The latest arrived today (Shipped May 6th, returned May 16th). As others have noted, my labels are exactly the same as dozens of others I\’ve mailed over the last few years – the only thing that\’s changed is that they\’re suddenly being returned to me and costing me time, annoyed/anxious customers and money. I use PirateShip for international but send USPS first class usually and have never had this issue before this month.I really hope this has been resolved by the SF office!
Tyler - May 15th, 2021 7:52 pm

I’ll just add my frustration here as well. Shipped 2 used iphones to my sister-in-law that lives in Japan on 4/27, I got the package back on 5/13 with the same ‘Missing’ box checked, nothing else. Postage purchased through USPS click-n-ship. I guess I’ll give it another go, but if the USPS isn’t going to own up and offer refunds, I may just go through my credit card and dispute the charges. This really sucks for everyone that has lost so much money, time, and possible customers because of this.
RG - May 15th, 2021 10:25 pm

Good point and I actually had the same thought and so I went ahead and started disputing the charge via the credit card route because there is no way individually we can fight this against the USPS. I will let the Credit Card company argue this based on the fact that the service (shipping package) offered was not actually provided. It may very well be rejected but atleast a try. I am not putting another new label through USPS as I am an occasional shipper for personal reasons (first in so many years to be get caught up in this issue) and so going to incur few additional dollars and get it through UPS/Fedex.
Matt - May 16th, 2021 1:40 am

Yep, same problems here. I printed my label through PayPal on May 10th, shipped to Slovakia, it hit the SF post office, and came right back. I checked out the site they recommend to check, and it’s zero help. I’ve shipped hundreds of packages overseas the past several years and never had an issue. I highly doubt it has anything to do anything other than the USPS being clods. Their technology is always woefully out of date. And they can’t “reject” refunds for long, this is already a lawsuit in the making.
Lotte - May 16th, 2021 6:06 am

Interesting, as it is appears it may be very difficult to get refunds — think of how much money USPS is potentially making off this one glitch.
Andy - May 16th, 2021 6:53 am

My us to china freight forwarder don’t accept any electronic devices since last week.
Anonymous - May 16th, 2021 6:54 am

has anyone tried to re-use the same label? they aren’t voided, wonder if they would get through customs.
Sean H - May 16th, 2021 7:18 am

Here to confirm what everyone else has been finding. 17 pound package sent via click and ship on May 4, 2021 to Japan, and was returned from the San Francisco facility due to “missing” export compliance. My descriptions were vague (probably a 1 on the scale of 1 to 5), but I’ve been shipping packages with vague descriptions for years, including two to Japan just a few months ago via click and ship. I really hope I am able to get a refund or reship using existing postage as this was a $123 package and I feel like this is USPS fault through some error. Thanks.
Anonymouse - May 16th, 2021 7:32 am

Adding my data as well… my package to Canada was rejected mid-day May 12. I’m nervous about re-sending and losing more $$$ on postage. I had used PayPal shipping.

May 12, 2021,12:08 pm
Return to Sender
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94128

May 12, 2021,6:54 am
Customs Clearance
ISC SAN FRANCISCO (USPS)

May 11, 2021,8:16 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 10, 2021,5:23 pm
USPS picked up item

May 10, 2021,11:02 am
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
BRUCE LIND - May 16th, 2021 8:07 am

Same problem with shipment to Canada. Label vis Click & Ship on 4/30. Returned from SFO.
Local USPS clerk could not figure out why it was rejected as everything was per instructions.
Looked at USPS refund site and there was no way to describe the problem.
Decided to follow a suggestion from this group.
I just submitted a dispute with my credit card company.
Doug - May 16th, 2021 8:35 am

Good plan on disputing with the CC company.
Mike - May 16th, 2021 8:42 am

I realize the thread is getting big since many new people are finding it since they are searching for answers. In summary for me:

– Two packages shipped May # & 4. Both returned on 5/10.
– Post office recommended adding details and using same postage.
– Re-shipped them on May 11 with same label (added details, and an invoice)
– Both packages returned on May 15 with same issue
– Elected to try one of the packages with a newly generated label (paid postage again). It’s current status is below. Seems like the package is at an airport, but it’s not clear if customs is there or before.

I also noted yesterday that the USPS site had a big red banner talking about system upgrades this weekend. It appears to be gone now.

May 16, 2021, 3:44 am
Arrived
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
Your item arrived at an origin transfer airport in INTERNATIONAL, SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES on May 16, 2021 at 3:44 am. The item is currently in transit to the destination.

May 15, 2021, 10:43 am
Processed Through Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
May 15, 2021, 10:10 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 15, 2021, 10:10 am
Arrived at Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 15, 2021, 8:55 am
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
SAN JOSE, CA 95126

May 15, 2021
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS
Matt - May 16th, 2021 10:25 am

I’m sure this issue is more than likely corrected within the USPS network, but in my opinion the question isn’t why this happened at this point, the question is now when and how we get our money back. It’s absurd they take all this money and then “reject” refunds after they didn’t complete their end of the deal, and offer not info anywhere about it. I mean, really? This is a new low for a business that has already been a disaster for a long time as it is. Just a sad statement from USPS.
Raphael - May 17th, 2021 12:56 am

Hi,

My shipment is LW227299133US, to be sent to France.
What sould I do ?
Will you try to send it back ?

Don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you need,

Regards

Raphaël
Steve - May 17th, 2021 6:21 am

For BMOW customers whose shipments have been affected by this problem, I am holding your returned packages, and will be re-shipping them in the next few days once I’m confident all the USPS problems are resolved. When that happens, I will send an update with the new tracking number. Thanks for your patience!
adam - May 17th, 2021 6:19 am

Hi guys,

One more info. My US to China freight forwarder has refused any electronic devices since 5.11
Chase Doyel - May 17th, 2021 7:55 am

Just a quick update. This is the new sticker we’re now seeing. Pretty self explanatory. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_VPO61dZVmau7zznvRglUQ-Uyt7IlX3L/view?usp=drivesdk
Steve - May 17th, 2021 8:59 am

Chase, are you still getting packages returned? That’s worrying. When were they mailed?

Here’s an inlined version of the new sticker. Click to see the full-size image.

It’s very interesting, as this is the first indication I’ve seen of USPS admitting the problem may have been their fault.

My personal experience has not been successful with attempting to re-mail returned packages using the same postage label. I re-mailed a package 10 days ago, and the tracking info still doesn’t show that the post office received it, or anything else beyond the original return to sender. I fear that package and its contents are lost forever. Has anyone else been successful re-mailing using the original postage label?
Anonymouse - May 17th, 2021 8:00 am

Chase Doyel, I can’t access the Google drive link above… says I don’t have access. Can you post a photo of the new sticker, and more details about when the most recent rejection occurred in customs?
Anonymouse - May 17th, 2021 9:22 am

I can see the Google Drive image now – thank you!

Still have the same question about the date of most recent rejections; and if anyone was able to successfully re-send with the same label. I’m planning to wait a few days and hope for more information to surface.
Mike Cadoo - May 17th, 2021 9:25 am

My experience was that the same label would just be returned. I had to make new labels for them to be accepted.

all export parcels shipped on 5/13 currently say this in tracking:

In Transit to Next Facility
Your package is moving within the USPS network and is on track to be delivered to its final destination. It is currently in transit to the next facility.
Laurel - May 17th, 2021 11:11 am

I’m back with good news! I sent an international package this last Friday the 15th to Canada with a new label and it was successfully processed through ISC in San Francisco and made it all the way to its scan in Vancouver! Looks like this glitch is most likely fixed now. Hoping we can all file claims and get our money back for the wasted labels.
Doug - May 17th, 2021 11:36 am

That is good news! I just dropped off my newly labeled box that was returned a week ago. The postal employee was completely clueless as to how to get a refund on the original shipment and hadn’t heard about any of this so far. So I just filed a claim with Paypal for that.

Hoping my new shipment will get thru SFO this time.
Cody Burch - May 17th, 2021 1:52 pm

Another quick update.

Just spoke with our postman while he was picking up today\’s mail.

everything is now fixed, short answer was \”someone just messed up\”.

Post office WILL NOT refund postage, however we were told that if we brought all of our returned packages(with the return label left on) down to our local post office. they will fix it and resend at no charge.

I am not sure if this will be everywhere, or if this is because we made our local post office aware of the situation.

We were given the green light to continue to ship anything international and there shouldn\’t be any issues going forward.

Hopes this helps everyone.

Big shutout to the original poster on this thread. We would all be a lost without finding this thread!

keep on, shipping on, ladies and gentleman!
Mike - May 18th, 2021 6:11 am

Well, so far it looks the issue is fixed from my perspective, so I’m going to start re-sending the other packages I have in the queue. My newly labeled package processed through SFO, and then LAX.

May 17, 2021, 10:53 pm
Departed
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
Your item departed a transfer airport in INTERNATIONAL, LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES on May 17, 2021 at 10:53 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination.

May 16, 2021, 10:59 am
Departed
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

May 16, 2021, 3:44 am
Arrived
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

May 15, 2021, 10:43 am
Processed Through Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 15, 2021, 10:10 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 15, 2021, 10:10 am
Arrived at Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

May 15, 2021, 8:55 am
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
SAN JOSE, CA 95126

May 15, 2021
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS
vincent - May 18th, 2021 7:23 am

So, after reading the other comments it’s still not clear to me; can I use the old label or do I have to make a completely new label and kick and scream to hopefully get a refund for the first label?
Cody Burch - May 18th, 2021 7:24 am

Vincent,

per our local postmaster you can re-use the label. However, USPS has to “force” these packages through, and it must be done over the counter at your local PO.
John - May 18th, 2021 9:38 am

I just had another package (3 altogether) returned for supposed “Export Non Compliance” US Postal Service has been UTTERLY USELESS, they have NO EXPLANATION and are NO HELP and pass the buck to US Customs, which has ALSO been of NO HELP! We need to find out WHOSE FAULT this is because its not OURS! Its either the fault of USPS or US Customs or BOTH! We shouldn’t be HAVING this problem, and if it doesn’t STOP, a LOT of people will either stop shipping abroad entirely, or will STOP USING USPS!

Channel 7 in San Francisco has a Consumer Advocate named Michael Finney who does stories on stuff like this to help people having this sort of problem. I hope a lot of people on here will encourage them to look into this and do a story on it. You can contact them via https://abc7news.com/business/contact-7-on-your-side/47207/

Here is what I just posted on their form:

Lots people shippers have been having the same problem, please see this website for details https://www.bigmessowires.com/2021/05/07/us-customs-export-control/#comment-236945

I found a link to this form on that website. Someone suggested that maybe you could help us since its US Customs in San Francisco that is causing the problem. I have had 3 packages returned that I tried to ship abroad, but lots of other people have had far more returned, some have had 20 or more returned, and we’re not being told WHY!

They send a sticker that says “RETURNED DUE TO EXPORT COMPLANCE” and a box is checked that says “MISSING” but they’re not saying WHAT was allegedly “missing”. This is negatively impacting a HUGE number of shippers! We can’t get postal refunds and no one can tell us WHAT is wrong!

This will cause a lot of people to either STOP shipping abroad, or to STOP using the US Postal Service.

When I’ve asked my local post office about this they say “We can’t respond to US Customs questions”, when I call USPS they have no answers either. Some have told me I must have attempted to ship a “prohibited” item, but that has NEVER been the case, not for me or for the other people having this same problem! You can see at https://www.bigmessowires.com/2021/05/07/us-customs-export-control/#comment-236945 that a LOT of people are being negatively impacted by this!

Please let me know if theres anything you can do to help us all resolve this problem! Some shippers have been taken for thousands of dollars in postage fees that we can’t get refunds for. I wasn’t hit as hard as a lot of other people because I only had 3 packages returned, but lots of other people have had 20 or more returned. This is NOT RIGHT!!

Whose FAULT is this? Is it the fault of US Customs, the US Postal Service, or BOTH?

Its NOT the fault of people doing the shipping, we’re properly filling out Customs Declarations, but can’t get any answers as to WHAT is allegedly wrong!

This is causing us all problems with customers! I am going to post what I’m sending you at https://www.bigmessowires.com/2021/05/07/us-customs-export-control/#comment-236945 to encourage more people having this problem to also contact you!

John Hammell
John - May 18th, 2021 9:57 am

I just called US Customs in San Francisco at 1-415-782-9200 Left voice mails about this problem in two different voice mail boxes requesting a call back in an attempt to learn anything I can. I will let you know if I find out anything, or if I get a call back from Channel 7 which I’ve also contacted since I hope they’ll investigate on behalf of all of us! None of us should be having this problem! We need to get to the bottom of it to find out whose fault it is, is it the fault of US Customs, USPS, or BOTH of them? I am FED UP with USPS since they won’t refund my shipping and I am tired of dealing with angry customers when its not MY fault!
vincent - May 19th, 2021 10:09 am

Any Updates? Parcels definitely go through now? With old or new label? Refund on old label?
Steve - May 19th, 2021 11:53 am

My packages seem to be going through now, with new labels. It’s still hard to say for 100 percent certain, because many of them have been stalled for days going nowhere, but I think that’s normal for First Class Package International. I frequently saw long delays, even before this latest incident.

One of my packages that was marked for return was never actually returned, but instead it was sent to Canada even though it’s addressed to the UK. I also have a package for Canada that’s currently in Italy for some reason, and a package for Switzerland that’s in Qatar. So it’s not exactly smooth sailing.

I chose to buy new postage for all my affected packages, because I don’t trust reshipping with the old label after my one failed attempt trying it. I decided it’s not worth my time dealing with the post office staff in person to try fixing every package that was impacted. But if you only have a single returned package and its postage was very expensive, it might be worth your time.
Rene - May 19th, 2021 10:43 am

I am so glad I found this thread. We live in Northern California so our mail goes through San Francisco and we are having the same problem with our international mail. I wish I could offer some solid solutions, but I have none. I’ll keep watching this thread and post if I am able to get something mailed.
Tyler - May 19th, 2021 10:56 am

I just dropped of my package with the original label at the local post office, they were aware of the issue, but didn’t know much. They did resend my package with the original label with no question at all, and apologized for the problem. I was in and out in like 2 min. Fingers crossed that it goes through this time.
Brett - May 19th, 2021 1:57 pm

One of my re-shipments (with a newly purchased Priority Intl label via Paypal) dropped off Friday May 14, cleared the SF ISC on Monday evening and took off for Australia Tuesday. Looks like the issue was resolved. No word on any refund of my returned labels via Shippo though.

US Customs Export Control Says: I’m Screwed

202 Comments so far

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