I had my shipment of 250 cell phones p168c arrived at San Francisco port 9/8/2008 about two weeks ago, and it's been sitting there awaiting US Customs clearance. I am not sure if the delay is due their big backlog or they are checking for counterfiet. The phones are not counterfiet but they resemble the Apple Iphone however they are two entirely differnet phones from and inside and out , also the phone does not carry any sign that hints it's apple Iphone...

This was shipped using DHL from China and DHL has filed the entry and they are acting as Customs broker in this case. The customs does not give more information to the DHL agent besides saying we have put a 30 days detention notice on the shipment 

Can anyone point me to the right direction , or maybe to some customs broker that has better ties with customs there  I will even pay top dollars for anyone guaranting quick release , or what I need to do in general , my whole life savings is sitting there in their warehouse and there doesnt seem to be much I can do , any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Really sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately I was facing the same problem twice a few month ago and I learned a few from it.

Cell phones in USA will be checked very strictly for counterfiet. I know there were no logos on the body of the phones but the shape, keyboard, design type or even the games in the phones will be considered as counterfiet or broke the certain part of the USA copyright laws. And if so, the worst situation could be these phones will be taken by the custom and destroyed which means even can not  return as well.  

The first time, I was trying a few ways to help my customer in US, like finding some proper clearance agency or local logistic companies to help negociate with the broker. After couple of weeks still not very successfully done this, but luckily finally the phones was allowed shipping back to China not just taken by the US Custom. 

The second time, after around 29 days of the delay, final the phones cleared.

Quoting from [kmoghim]:

I had my shipment of 250 cell phones p168c arrived at San Francisco port 9/8/2008 about two weeks ago, and it's been sitting there awaiting US Customs clearance. I am not sure if the delay is due their big backlog or they are checking for counterfiet. The phones are not counterfiet but they resemble the Apple Iphone however they are two entirely differnet phones from and inside and out , also the phone does not carry any sign that hints it's apple Iphone...

This was shipped using DHL from China and DHL has filed the entry and they are acting as Customs broker in this case. The customs does not give more information to the DHL agent besides saying we have put a 30 days detention notice on the shipment 

Can anyone point me to the right direction , or maybe to some customs broker that has better ties with customs there  I will even pay top dollars for anyone guaranting quick release , or what I need to do in general , my whole life savings is sitting there in their warehouse and there doesnt seem to be much I can do , any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Thank you for your response. I read in a different article somewhere that for importing phones to US , the importer would need to submit FCC 740 form as well?

a) Did you end up doing that ?

b) If yes , is it possible to submit the form after the entry has been made by DHL Customs broker?

c) Do you recommend any Customs broker for this type of job?

d) How about "Sisvel" license , have you heard of this requirement?

Thank you again.

 

Quoting from [kmoghim]:

I had my shipment of 250 cell phones p168c arrived at San Francisco port 9/8/2008 about two weeks ago, and it's been sitting there awaiting US Customs clearance. I am not sure if the delay is due their big backlog or they are checking for counterfiet. The phones are not counterfiet but they resemble the Apple Iphone however they are two entirely differnet phones from and inside and out , also the phone does not carry any sign that hints it's apple Iphone...

This was shipped using DHL from China and DHL has filed the entry and they are acting as Customs broker in this case. The customs does not give more information to the DHL agent besides saying we have put a 30 days detention notice on the shipment 

Can anyone point me to the right direction , or maybe to some customs broker that has better ties with customs there  I will even pay top dollars for anyone guaranting quick release , or what I need to do in general , my whole life savings is sitting there in their warehouse and there doesnt seem to be much I can do , any help is appreciated.

Thanks

i am so sorry hear that ,but may be you could made the DHL'S AGENT in your city do that ,they could do that .if next time you or your friends also have the goods need do the tshipment you could tell me ,i am do the FCL   LCL AIR CARGO ,AND SO ON .MY  email.is huang-shao-lv@hotmail.com