Fed Ex is F***ed up

[MPlayle]

Had something new happen with Fed Ex on an order for 2 tires from Mini Sport in the UK. 

Tracking my shipment showed a "Customs Clearance Delay" as of today.  I called their customer support to find out the reason and work to get it corrected - they indicated that the shipment was flagged as needing a form HS-7 filed.  That form is the declaration for for importing a vehicle.   

I have never heard of that form being required for importing parts.  All of the selections on that form are for a "vehicle", no references for parts.  I have received that form when I've imported cars and it was always processed by the customs broker and stamped by customs for being able to properly title and register the car. 

I'm on hold now trying to reach their Customs Clearance Department to resolve the issue.

[94touring]

I'm currently trying to get a big order cleared with FedEx because of wheel bearings.  It's been a lot of back n forth with no progress. 

[94touring]

Also through minisport.  And I got to fill out 3 pages of bearing worksheets.  I instantly regretted buying bearings.

[MPlayle]

I think they have a bunch of people that just click off random "holds" just to make work for someone else.  Asking for a vehicle declaration for 2 tires makes no sense.

[MPlayle]

The only times I have had customs issues on parts orders before (whether from Mini Spares or Mini Sport) has been if an item had the word "kit" in the name.  Then they wanted a detailed breakdown of the "kit" contents.  An email from me with the breakdown usually satisfied them.

The HS-7 vehicle declaration form being required for 2 tires?!?   

[94touring]

I dislike ordering from Minisport because this is not my first time getting hit with customs issues.  I specifically avoided using UPS because of one bad experience and a hefty fee. I was hoping fedex would be better but nope.  I don't know how minisport is declaring things on their paperwork, but they're doing it wrong.

[MPlayle]

I was on hold for over an hour before finally getting a human.

Long story, short: It seems about 6 months ago, the form HS-7 may also be required for car parts (check box 2a).  Someone in the bureaucracy decided on a very broad definition for the term "equipment" in box 2a.  Also, it is random as to what shipments get selected for scrutiny and thus extra forms.  Mine got tagged this time through.

Consolidating Dan's experiences with UPS and now Fed Ex, it seems DHL may be the only shipper with its act together.

As for our available vendors ... ?  Previously, the only time I have had issues with orders from either Spares or Sport was when the word "kit" was in the description of an item ordered.  Then it was the shipper that flagged it for further details on the "kit" contents.

[94touring]

Sport has some parts only they carry I wanted, decided to toss in the bearings too.  My DHL shipment from Spares this same week was delivered already. I did get tagged for a $53 customs charge on what apparently was due to the carb I had in the order. Had some parts from KAD also delivered without issue.

[94touring]

The wheel bearings were labeled as "kit" so maybe that was the issue for me. The only thing kit about it is they include the rubber seals.  I could have just ordered the damn things from the one bearing company online.

[MiniDave]

I've also had issues getting stuff via UPS or Fed Ex, and do NOT get me started on the so called "Royal Mail"!

DHL and Spares seem to have their acts together, as I never have had an issue with any shipments thru them, although I do get hit with customs duties on shipments valued around $2K.

So Michael, did they get your tires released?

I wonder if there are going to be issues buying tires that aren't marked with DOT ratings in the future?

[94touring]

That 123 dizzy for the bus came from a company on the UK also. Showed up a few days later without issue.

[MPlayle]

The tracking does seem to indicate my shipment got released.  It now shows a Friday delivery.

[94touring]

Mine says running late. Which is better than the needs description for releasing

[MPlayle]

The "needs description" is what I have gotten before when I had "kits" in the order.  When I could figure out the contact email for the case, I would send the breakdown of the "kit" content and my order would get released.

I am beginning to think they truly don't know what they are doing and randomly pick some reason for requesting additional paperwork.

Did they make you also submit a form HS-7?  If not I truly think it is arbitrary as to what each individual Fed Ex customs person picks when they have to select an order for scrutiny.

[94touring]

No hs-7 for me. Just a bearing worksheet. The worst part is they don't tell you what to do. You have to call and track them down. I couldn't figure that out so initially, I reached out to minisport and let them deal with it. They emailed the invoice with breakdown in the parts. Then I got a call and email from fedex wanting me to fill out the worksheet.

[94touring]

My shipment shows left facility and on the way. 

[MPlayle]

Mine now shows it is supposed to be delivered today.

[94touring]

2 packages in the order. One went through Memphis and the other through Dallas.

[MPlayle]

My tires just arrived.

I've had that happen before.  These shippers are not very good about keeping multi-package orders together.

[Brit_in_TX]

I've also had issues getting stuff via UPS or Fed Ex, and do NOT get me started on the so called "Royal Mail"!

The issue with Royal Mail is they now use random international shippers to get the item to some sort of delivery center near you.  Then use USPS for the "last mile" delivery usually at the lowest priority!  My family and I have given up shipping anything my Royal Mail or USPS as we see at least half of them being lost. 

[MiniDave]

My brother lives in a tiny village in the Midlands, when he wants to send me anything via Royal Mail, we can count on a 1-2 month delivery time, even when he sends a card via air mail!

Xmas card sent 1 Dec, got here mid Feb. Birthday card sent 1 July got here August 12th via air mail!

[94touring]

Now they're both listed as delayed and "international shipment release" is on there. They also took the package sitting in Dallas and flew it to Memphis. 

[94touring]

Well 1 out of 2 was just delivered.

[BruceK]

Crazy. I'm very fortunate that I've had better luck recently.  Yesterday I received a parts order (including wheel bearings!) from an auto parts supplier in Dubai.  (These were not Mini parts).

I placed my order online on the 17th and it arrived on my doorstep 7 days later on the 24th via DHL. I think that's the difference. DHL really seems to their importing act together. Everything comes in through the port of Cleveland and they start working on the Customs clearances days before the packages they carry physically enter the US. I signed up for their shipment tracking and customs notifications and was kept informed via text all through the process.  My package was not actually picked up in Dubai until Sunday, so it only took 3 or 4 days in transit.  And no paperwork on my part at all.  (The order was worth about $130).  So if you have a choice of selecting DHL as the carrier I would suggest trying them.

[MiniDave]

I've requested Mini Sport to use DHL - they never do.....