Recent Customs Slow down - Anyone Experienced It?

minksta on 18/10/2016 - 21:47

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has experienced any slowdowns with their stuff coming from overseas recently. Apparently there were some minor strikes with customs around the beginning of the month which may have affected the delivery of items from overseas.. I am noticing a delay in small items but also in a ~$200 phone from geekbuying which tracks as in Australia on 28/9/16 but still no sign at my PO box.. I'm hoping it is due to the customs problem but I am interested to know others experiences/thoughts.. :)

General Discussion

Related Stores

customs.gov.au
customs.gov.au

Comments

  • farnkie on 18/10/2016 - 21:55

    I bought something from Korea last month and it took 3 weeks instead of the usual 2 weeks to deliver.

    • minksta on 18/10/2016 - 22:01

      Thanks for that, appreciate the reply!

  • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2016 - 22:09

    Yep it's taking much longer than usual indeed. Watches I had ordered from UK a few weeks back got cleared from customs in 2-3 days, however my new order coming from UK now has taken 8-9 days since it has arrived in Australia, however still not cleared.

  • quietsarcasm on 18/10/2016 - 22:17

    Bought some books from Japan about 4 weeks ago and still no sign of them. I'm hoping it is due to this and they are just held up in customs

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 18/10/2016 - 22:18
    +2

    Yes, there was union action (http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2572576).

    I thought they were just trying to slow down international packages to make Australia Post look faster ;)

  • Axelstrife on 18/10/2016 - 23:23

    Ordered something from US last week which was posted using fed ex international priority and got it in 3 days which is the estimated delivery time.

    • Clear on 19/10/2016 - 06:59
      +1

      Because that's express post with a courier.

      • Axelstrife on 19/10/2016 - 08:00

        whats the difference doesn't everything that comes into Australia go through customs?

        • Clear on 19/10/2016 - 09:10

          Yes, but express couriers are given priority over standard mail.

  • dcuksuop on 19/10/2016 - 07:27

    Ordered bunch of items 2 months ago. Most came normal time, around 2 weeks. 1 item however took 5 weeks, most of that was stuck in Sydney custom.

  • RockyRaccoon on 19/10/2016 - 09:23

    10 small china packets arrived yesterday

    some up to 12 weeks old, some just on 3 weeks

    Still waiting for some over 12 weeks

    Since nothing shows why can only assume its customs

    • cameldownunder on 19/10/2016 - 13:28

      You too? 10 small china packets? I thought I was the only one cursed into buying small stuff at almost no price, just to get my "Fix" of parcels.

  • ESEMCE on 19/10/2016 - 10:25
    +2

    China had a week's National holiday at the end of September which has slowed exports before, during (of course) and after with a backlog of containers all trying to get to destination countries for Christmas stock ups.
    There's also the Bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping which has pulled a vast number of vessels temporarily off the market, further adding to the shipping backlog.
    On top of that, locally, there have been Border Force Strikes, but they've also recently implemented much tougher certification requirements on imports from China as a result of the hidden Asbestos in Building products issue.
    Roughly one in 20 of my containers from China are being put on Customs Hold or are being queried for a more detailed explanation of their contents.

    Finally, Geekbuying… I'm also (personally) waiting on a package from them. Ordered more than a month ago, meanwhile multiple other orders from other Chinese vendors placed after the Geekbuying one have all arrived.

  • dechah on 19/10/2016 - 11:14

    I purchased a new phone from an online retailer. I ordered on Wednesday morning, and paid standard freight $16, and the handset was dispatched from Hong Kong and was on a truck for delivery in Melbourne on the following Friday morning. I was able to track the transit the entire way. I do not receive parcels from Australian cities that quickly.

  • MeesusEff on 19/10/2016 - 11:53

    Ordered an iphone SE from perfect_mission that came from HK, got it within 2-3 days of despatch :)

  • foxmulder on 19/10/2016 - 13:18

    I recently received DHL shipment and it falls on the expected 3-4 working days (longer as it passed wekeend)

    Thanks.

  • minksta on 19/10/2016 - 13:28
    +2

    Well my phone arrived from geekbuying. What a relief.. shipped from Singapore on the 13th Sept, "in Australia" on the 28th, and finally to Nambour today, 19th October. Estimated ship time was 15-30 days so I suppose not too far over but still had me worried. Clear evidence of a slowdown in my case though and hope it gives some support to others waiting "over a month"…. who was it that said "Australia is part of Asia.." lol. Anyway interesting to hear all the possible reasons from scubacoles…

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