Is it possible to track a package from Aero once it is accepted by customs in the US?

[JLStorm]

I have been tracking a package through parcel force from Aero, but it seems like the final status is listed as accepted by customs. I cant figure out if this is not the final status and the jacket is just sitting at customs, or if parcel force simply stops tracking once it is accepted by customs in the USA.

Any ideas?

 

[bobjones]

Yes, you must call customs where it arrived. Expect them to hold onto the jacket for about 3-4 days before releasing, and whatever you do, DO NOT MENTION what the item is that they are holding. The last thing I would want is some $10/hour clerk thinking to himself "wow, an $800 dollar leather jacket, eh"?

 

[JLStorm]

Ok, so basically if it arrived there yesterday and I dont see it by early next week, I can just call and check to see if it has left there yet? Will the parcelforce tracking system update when it leaves customs or does it not do that?

Can I expect customs to ask me what is in the box, or do they not care?

 

[DJS Press]

Good luck tracking it. I tried with my first Aero shipment, and received no useful information at all. Remember, you're dealing with a government agency, which has no incentive whatsoever to provide good customer service.

I think my shipment took about 7 days in customs. I understand that's a little long.

 

[bigshoe]

I ship overseas a lot and receive a lot from overseas. Once a package gets to customs in any country it is in a black hole. I have found that if you have the sender provide your e-mail or a phone number it can help speed things up if there is an questions on customs end. All cutoms people in any country are Ferengi's. U.S. customs should be no more then 7 days as a rule.
Tom

 

[Daniel Hunter]

Yes, you must call customs where it arrived. Expect them to hold onto the jacket for about 3-4 days before releasing, and whatever you do, DO NOT MENTION what the item is that they are holding. The last thing I would want is some $10/hour clerk thinking to himself "wow, an $800 dollar leather jacket, eh"?

Sorry but you're mistaken....

After the coat clears customs they'll forward it on to you. I've ordered from Aero before and that's exactly what happened with my order. Customs has the package for a couple of days and then sends it on to it's final destination. You don't have to call unless they place a hold on your package and have it for more than a few days.

 

[JLStorm]

Thanks for the help so far, but my main question is when I go to track the package on the parcelforce website. Will their system track the package past the point when it is at a status of "Accepted" by customs, or is that the final delivery status that parcelforce tracks?

 

[Daniel Hunter]

If I remember correctly, once Customs releases it you should be able to get tracking info.

 

[bigshoe]

Yes. once it goes back into the system you should be able to track it again.
Tom

 

[bobjones]

Sorry but you're mistaken....

After the coat clears customs they'll forward it on to you. I've ordered from Aero before and that's exactly what happened with my order. Customs has the package for a couple of days and then sends it on to it's final destination. You don't have to call unless they place a hold on your package and have it for more than a few days.

I didn't mean that the only way to receive the jacket was to call customs, my point was that you can call customs if you choose and if you nudge enough (politely), they will try to dig the package out for you. They did for me, and were quite helpful, though I spent some time to get the right phone number and get the right people on the phone.

 

[greyhound68]

This is very useful. I have a jacket in customs and it is 4 days. But then it arrived early last Sat morning. Do they work weekends? IF not then probably a couple more days in customs hold. Hopefully not a week.

 

[JLStorm]

Thanks for all of the information. Since customs is a federal agency, I wont expect things to move very quickly. It's nice to know that I can get an update from parcel force though.

 

[greyhound68]

Just to let you know I got my overseas package today with my jacket (very happy it is the ANJ-3A The Few model which I posted earlier on this forum). The tracking still states it is in customs. Go figure.[huh]

 

[JLStorm]

Just to let you know I got my overseas package today with my jacket (very happy it is the ANJ-3A The Few model which I posted earlier on this forum). The tracking still states it is in customs. Go figure.[huh]

Thanks for the update. So how was it actually delivered (via USPS?) Do you recall what your ship date was?

 

[greyhound68]

USPS delivered shipping date from New Zealand was 12 November so exactly one week. Arrived in USA on Sat. 15 November.

 

[JLStorm]

USPS delivered shipping date from New Zealand was 12 November so exactly one week. Arrived in USA on Sat. 15 November.

Ok, cool thanks! My package just changed status today from Accepted in customs to "arrived at delivery depot" today, so hopefully it will arrive this week since Im only about 3 hours from NYC.

 

[Erik]

On Customs Clerks...

They aren't Customs Clerks, they are United States Customs and Border Protection Officers, and they don't make $10 an hour. They start their careers somewhere around double that, and journey upward from there rather quickly. Most make closer to $40 an hour, depending on the local, before shift differentials, overtime, holiday pay, etc.

 

[JLStorm]

On Customs Clerks...

They aren't Customs Clerks, they are United States Customs and Border Protection Officers, and they don't make $10 an hour. They start their careers somewhere around double that, and journey upward from there rather quickly. Most make closer to $40 an hour, depending on the local, not including premium pay rates.

I didnt know a GS-13 was attainable unless you were close to retirement in that line of work. I also didnt know someone would go through all the training and background checks to become a federal agent to check in packages all day...what a crappy job.

 

[Erik]

Oh, and in general, if you want a quick Customs clearing, you're going to want to leave well enough alone, because calling about an item can cause the item to be pulled from the flow of commerce, a flow which tends to move along fairly well by design.

 

[Erik]

I'm not a CBPO, but know many, being in the business, so to speak.

CBP Officers have a fairly generous compensation package, allowing for take home pay far in excess of what their base pay would appear to be at a glance. A base pay which, for non-supervisory Officers, tops out at approximately $71,000, not including locality and various premium rates of pay. (Locality pay can be quite a bit, between 13 and 27 some odd percent, as it turns out.) Congress "caps" the amount of premium pay available per Officer each year, typically at $30,000. For several years I believe they have capped it at $35,000. IIRC, the average in premium compensation over that time has been approximately $25,000, not to include locality pay. If pressed, I'd put the average journeyman CBPO's pay rate at $88,205. (More than many GS13s, I suspect.)

As for whether it is a crappy job or not, between all the various tasks performed in the service of the nation at land, sea, and air borders... maybe, maybe not. It certainly isn't for everyone. Regardless, I'm glad they do what they do to protect us.

But... This is a thread drift, at best. They were disparaged as low wage clerks likely to steal a jacket if they knew its value. They are neither.

Hey! They are issued black goat skin bomber jackets with half belt backs. The new ones have patches, but the older ones do not, and if you find one it can often times be had for a very reasonable rate.