Pal got large Replica shipment seized....

[Hollister]

In my other thread, I asked if a friend shipped to my house would I be liable. Well, I didn't take any chances and he shipped elsewhere.

Anyhow, turns out his shipment of replicas were seized (couple hundred units). All I'll say is it has to do with fitness products, and I've read where lawyers send out canned responses asking for $15,000 in damages.

Any idea what they'll do to this fella?

 

[Mick Swagger]

I hope he wasn't selling beach body zumba products.

 

[Hollister]

Yea, something like that... :18:

 

[rhino2020]

Was it all shipped in one box? If so that was dumb of him. lol

 

[rhino2020]

Most of the time they just seize it and send a letter to the address where it was going letting you know they seized it and you can come pick it up if you want.Which then I would assume they'd arrest you. lol

 

[popcrdom29]

I read somewhere a little bit ago that customs don't normally go after the receiver in such a circumstance. All they do is return the shipment to the sender. This was on a news site.

Now if he had already picked up the items and was caught selling them then he would be in a lot of trouble. So for now I don't think he has too much to worry about.

 

[wowhaxor]

I don't know what country you're in but I'm in the US and usually they just seize it and send you a letter, I once even got the package with the contents removed and the letter inside explaining why it had been seized and what my options were if I thought it was erroneous. I would assume they only pursue criminal charges if its something like drugs, habitually doing it or very large scale.

 

[Hollister]

Yea, I'm in the United States. Dunno if it was shipped in one box, but I know it was shipped all at once which probably meant one big box.

 

[moneymachine01]

Curious what they do with the seized goods ?

 

[randomwoman]

I'm in the US also and a few years ago a friend of mine ended up in the same situation. She received a note in the box explaining why the shipment was seized and giving her the contact info in the event she wanted to pursue. I'm pretty sure they won't do all that much if you aren't actually caught trying to sell it.

I have a feeling the sender is the one in hot water.

 

[Money Man]

Possession is nine-tenths of the law.

With that said, and along with what others have said from their past experiences with US Customs, I wouldn't worry about it; just charge it to the game.

 

[eBayMafia]

I probably know what it is.

Anywho, it's a bit of a myth that Customs doesn't actually pursue anyone. I'd like to clarify that for some people out there that think this a no-risk operation or something.

When a "known counterfeit" item gets into customs, most customs agencies then notify the actual owner of the brand and those are the ones to look out for. If BeachBody for example, gets the same notice that the same person with the same address has had several copies confiscated, they have millions in which they can dedicate to a private investigation company to relinquish information from your ISP, friends, relatives, land lords, local shipping companies, etc. People say "Oh, you have to be bringing in a LOT of units for this to happen" but this is completely untrue. The "I thought I was buying legit stuff" excuse does not work, and the "those aren't mine" won't work either. It's not Customs you have to worry about, its the company whose knock off stuff you are attempting to distribute, Customs just makes it easier for those companies. Just suing people who try to sell their stuff on eBay with no proof of the item being real or not is an interesting profit margin for some companies like Coach.

 

[rhino2020]

I would be curious to know what shipping service he used?
Everything I've read says ship via ems/ usps with small packages and spread them out to differ locations.

 

[Taccc]

I would be curious to know what shipping service he used?
Everything I've read says ship via ems/ usps with small packages and spread them out to differ locations.

He probably used USPS.

 

[SinCitySeller]

A big fine or some time in the pen?

 

[dvdgangster]

My stuff gets seized every so often, not as big as this shipment, last shipment, they sent letter asking for duty, then sent letter saying shipment was seized and being sent to casio (was g-shock watches) havent heard anything back yet, am in EU

 

[wgempire]

Yes I have heard and seen these letters from attourneys damanding large amounts of money, many are not $15,000, most around $1,000 but it depends on volume. I have seen others get letters demanding much more. You are probably talking about p90*, or insanit*, from beachbod*. The law firm who represents them is one of most aggressive in the business and will pursue this, they persue everyone selling any of their products, everyone, and take many to federal court, dont believe me google it. My advice for your friend is stop selling any product represented by pr*duct p*rtners, they represent alot of top products being counterfieted, wait, if he gets letter demanding money from a law firm,dont respond himself and get lawyer. Oh yeah tell him to quit selling this garbage and keep ebay safe.

 

[BuyLowSellHigh]

Nothing really happens. You just get a letter from customs saying they are destroying the goods. I don't think the rights owners are notified. Investigations usually happen with much larger seizures.

In my other thread, I asked if a friend shipped to my house would I be liable. Well, I didn't take any chances and he shipped elsewhere.

Anyhow, turns out his shipment of replicas were seized (couple hundred units). All I'll say is it has to do with fitness products, and I've read where lawyers send out canned responses asking for $15,000 in damages.

Any idea what they'll do to this fella?

 

[screwebay]

The law really stipulates ONE THING.

You're caught in the act of breaking the law. There is HEAVY (and by the court's guidance) 100% certain you are guilty before you really only get in trouble.


Otherwise, canned email, canned letter, blah blah blah.

Law enforcement have more important things to worry about (drugs, illegal money, etc)

 

[ecraigzon]

i have had this happen, all customs does is take it and burn it in chicago, but your name is added to a list. Additionally, its legal to buy replicas, just not to sell them. They will send u a letter of seizure.