UPS shipment held at customs for immigration proof?

[grinchus 11]

Hi VJ-ers,

My fiance is moving here from Italy on a K-1 visa in January. I am going to Italy to spend X-mas and New Year's with his family, and then we're traveling back together. So as not to carry boxes and boxes of his clothes with us, he shipped 9 boxes last week to me. Now they're being held at UPS at customs for proof of immigration status. I thought it was a bit weird that you would be asked immigration status when shipping boxes. I mean, can't you ship boxes without immigrating? Anyhow, I told them that his K-1 was approved, but that he couldn't fax them that proof b/c the envelope had to remain SEALED upon entry at the POE. However I wrote them a letter with our I-129F receipt number and our case number from the Naples consulate, and a general time line of the K-1 process. I hope that's all they need.

They also asked what our airline carrier, flight number and POE were. I gave them that info too. Now I'm worried that somehow it's going to be a problem that he bought a RT ticket from Italy to the US. The RT was $800 and one way was over $2000 so of course we bought him a RT ticket!! I just didn't want to call a lot of attention to it. Do you guys think that my writing the customs folks with his flight # and date of arrival will draw undue attention to his ticket?

I'm worried!!

[Lansbury 19]

Immigration status is asked for because it could make a difference to an import duty payable. If you are immigrating you don't pay duty for personal goods. My shippers required a photocopy of the visa in my passport.

If I recall correctly there is also something about being in the country when the goods arrive, but as we shipped in my wife's name as well and she is a USC that might have been the reason for that. US Customs are not going to tell the airline you are immigrating.

[grinchus 11]

If I recall correctly there is also something about being in the country when the goods arrive, but as we shipped in my wife's name as well and she is a USC that might have been the reason for that.

I didn't know that, so the clothes were shipped in his name, but to me. I have since written a letter saying I was his fiance' and would receive them, and I explained why I couldn't show a copy of his visa in his passport. Hopefully they will let the boxes through. If they don't, will they hold them until after January 5th, or will they ship them back to him in Italy? It will be a pain if they do, but I suppose there's not much we can do about it.

US Customs are not going to tell the airline you are immigrating.

oh, phew!

[Krikit 1,164]

It will be interesting to see whether they allow you to clear them or not. Normally, you cannot ship household goods/personal effects in advance of entry. Moving companies require proof of entry (the I-94) and a copy of the visa before they can ship your belongings. Unaccompanied goods need to have a Form 3299.

Here is a CBP FAQ: Moving to the US - New Resident

[grinchus 11]

It will be interesting to see whether they allow you to clear them or not. Normally, you cannot ship household goods/personal effects in advance of entry. Moving companies require proof of entry (the I-94) and a copy of the visa before they can ship your belongings. Unaccompanied goods need to have a Form 3299.

Here is a CBP FAQ: Moving to the US - New Resident

Thanks. Yes, the UPS lady emailed me the 3299 form, which I filled out on his behalf. We'll see what happens to his boxes!

[Lansbury 19]

At the least it might be worth getting him to scan the visa in his passport and e-mail it to you so you have a copy of the visa for UPS.

[grinchus 11]

At the least it might be worth getting him to scan the visa in his passport and e-mail it to you so you have a copy of the visa for UPS.

I don't think he can scan the visa. He's still in the "DON'T OPEN THIS ENVELOPE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!" stage of things, so he can't open it to send me a copy. Or am I misunderstanding what visa you are referring to? Thanks!

[christeen 966]

At the least it might be worth getting him to scan the visa in his passport and e-mail it to you so you have a copy of the visa for UPS.

I don't think he can scan the visa. He's still in the "DON'T OPEN THIS ENVELOPE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!" stage of things, so he can't open it to send me a copy. Or am I misunderstanding what visa you are referring to? Thanks!

There is a visa in his passport that was put there by the consulate... You can scan that page (since the passprot is in his posession) and submit that... The big brown envelope is all the supporting documentation (basically everything you turned in to them and a page from teh consulate) so that is the visa we are referring to...

As far as buying RT or one way... Makes NO difference to them what ticket you buy... We had to do MANY RT tickets and only use one portion...Don't stress about that one!

[grinchus 11]

There is a visa in his passport that was put there by the consulate... You can scan that page (since the passprot is in his posession) and submit that... The big brown envelope is all the supporting documentation (basically everything you turned in to them and a page from teh consulate) so that is the visa we are referring to...

Ah, I get it. OK, if they don't release the packages with the info I've given them already I will ask him to fax me a copy of the page in his passport. Or maybe they'll just hold the boxes for us until after he gets here in early January...that would be OK too. The only thing that would be a true pain in the rear is if they mailed the boxes back to Italy, or threw them away.

[Lansbury 19]

Or maybe they'll just hold the boxes for us until after he gets here in early January...

If you do that make sure you know what the storage charge will be. Most shippers charge something and some it is silly money.

[grinchus 11]

Or maybe they'll just hold the boxes for us until after he gets here in early January...

If you do that make sure you know what the storage charge will be. Most shippers charge something and some it is silly money.

Yeah, it turns out to be $32.50/day! What a rip-off. Anyhow, I've faxed them a copy of our NOA1, our NOA2, the letter from the NVC, the emails from the Naples consulate saying they had received our paperwork, instructions to fill out packet 3, confirmation of receipt of packet 3 with instructions to schedule his interview, and a copy of the visa in his passport - all accompanied by a very detailed letter w/ our plans, his arrival date, our flight number, POE, etc. Hopefully they will let the boxes through before I leave for Italy to visit him. If not, I'll have a friend monitor the tracking number and be there when the boxes arrive. Fingers crossed!

[grinchus 11]

...I've faxed them a copy of our NOA1, our NOA2, the letter from the NVC, the emails from the Naples consulate saying they had received our paperwork, instructions to fill out packet 3, confirmation of receipt of packet 3 with instructions to schedule his interview, and a copy of the visa in his passport - all accompanied by a very detailed letter w/ our plans, his arrival date, our flight number, POE, etc. Hopefully they will let the boxes through before I leave for Italy to visit him...

And they're through! The first package (of 9!) arrived yesterday evening. Thanks everyone for all of your help and advice.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Even better: If the packages were left outside on your doorstep, you have successfully "gone out for boxing," si man. Glad that it worked out, si man.

[Lansbury 19]

And they're through! The first package (of 9!) arrived yesterday evening. Thanks everyone for all of your help and advice.

that's a result

[grinchus 11]

And they're through! The first package (of 9!) arrived yesterday evening. Thanks everyone for all of your help and advice.

that's a result

Yup...and the rest came today. Phew! You all are awesome!