The Dreaded DHL Package Hostage Case

[smokeystache]

Well my first order with Estervals went about as I expected. Held up in Cincinnati. The DHL representative reached out and wants me to fill out multiple forms, one being a Tobacco Import Permit. Has anyone ever gone through the process of actually obtaining the permit? I know there's a post about this situation from a couple of years ago where Greeneyes went through a similar situation but he got by without the tobacco import permit

 

[Scottmi]

I think Cincinnati must have hired an anti-smoking gremlin

 

[craiginthecorn]

It happened to me in June of 2021. In the end, DHL sent it back to Estervals who offered to either refund or reship at no additional charge. He mentioned that this sort of thing happens to about one out of 50 shipments and that almost always, the reshipped package is delivered without further incident, as mine was. The reshipment was shockingly quick.

 

[smokeystache]

My order was 2.772KG, do you think that order is too big and drawing attention?

 

[craiginthecorn]

My order was 2.772KG, do you think that order is too big and drawing attention?

My best guess is that they randomly select packages for review and that size isn't important. The order I had waylaid was 3 kg, for what it's worth. This question of size or value triggering an interception has been bandied about many times, with no solid conclusions being drawn. A few of my friends have received multiple large orders with no problems.

 

[Servant King]

they randomly select packages for review and that size isn't important.

Sounds like my second girlfriend.

Sorry! I'll just show myself out now...

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Happened to me in early December. I couldn't get any further information from DHL so I just said screw it.

 

[smokeystache]

I talked to customs and the ttb and they both say that I don't need the permit. It's just DHL being a pain.

 

[mikethompson]

Sorry this happened to you - I can't imagine the frustration of a customs holdup

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I still plan on placing an order with Esterval’s & possibly Synjeco in the Fall. Definitely gonna take the chance to restock on a few things. ️

 

[woodsroad]

Sorry this happened to you - I can't imagine the frustration of a customs holdup

It isn’t US Customs, it’s DHL.
I’d demand that they show me the pertinent regulations and their authority to enforce it (if it exists).

 

[georged]

... It's just DHL being a pain.

The world's self-righteous, authority-orgasm-driven screechy Karens have found a new calling. For decades the most satisfying were home owner's associations, PTA boards, and city councils.

"Interpreter of vague/ambiguous rules regarding shipped goods" has now been added to their list.

Absolutely disgusting creatures, one and all. No exceptions.

 

[smokeystache]

Also just to add a little salt to the wound, I reached out to a customs broker about the issue and as soon as I mentioned tobacco he cut me off and said "You'll never get it! It's not worth the headache!" He then encouraged me to have Estervals label the package as something else but I have a feeling that they don't do that for fear of losing their business.

 

[Auxsender]

Also just to add a little salt to the wound, I reached out to a customs broker about the issue and as soon as I mentioned tobacco he cut me off and said "youll never get it! Its not worth the headache!" He then encouraged me to have estervals label the package as something else but I have a feeling that they don't do that for fear of losing their business.

That guy is a dick.

 

[Steddy]

authority-orgasm-driven

This is a great descriptor and I’m stealing it.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Geez! Bad luck man. I’ve order 6 or 7 times and only been held up once! Ive had 2 orders in the last month show up in mere days!

Sorry man, you just drew the short straw this time. I did go through with whatever the papers were last time and had no issue other than the PITA. Everything showed up, just a little later.

 

[woodsroad]

Well my first order with Estervals went about as I expected. Held up in Cincinnati. The DHL representative reached out and wants me to fill out multiple forms, one being a Tobacco Import Permit. Has anyone ever gone through the process of actually obtaining the permit? I know there's a post about this situation from a couple of years ago where Greeneyes went through a similar situation but he got by without the tobacco import permit

So…
Update?

 

[smokeystache]

I told them to send it back to estervals today. Dhl is a bunch of incompetent ass hats. I am going to have estervals try sending it again though to see if it makes it through

 

[greeneyes]

Has this been resolved?

 

[smokeystache]

Has this been resolved?

I'm glad that you asked because I forgot to post an update the other day.

After gling back and forth with DHL i eventually decided to just have the package shipped back to Estervals. Lucky for my, they were in the process of working out a deal with UPS so they offered to ship my package back to me. It arrived in great condition in just a few days. I'm not sure if they have all of the kinks worked out with UPS as I was told that they are still in a test phase.