Does it worth suing US customs for creating a mess out of the simple procedure?

[anhil]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA
My mom from Russia recently shipped a few boxes full of household items to the US. My father-in-law went to pick them up and has encountered countless issues with the customs agent. They opened the boxes without any witnesses and our permission. Now they are saying something is in the package that doesn’t match the bill of lading, but all was reviewed prior by Russian and Korean (boxes went through Seoul) customs and they approved everything.
US custom agent will not hand over any of the items, event those that match the bill of lading and are charging storage fees for each day we don’t remove them from the facility near the airport. Now, they are asking to make a list of what each item is made of (plus pay a certain percent for EACH item) and that boxes can be picked up only by a broker (who we need to pay now).
Does it worth suing US customs for creating a mess out of the simple procedure? Any recommendations on what we can do?
Thanks,
AH

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA
My mom from Russia recently shipped a few boxes full of household items to the US. My father-in-law went to pick them up and has encountered countless issues with the customs agent. They opened the boxes without any witnesses and our permission. Now they are saying something is in the package that doesn’t match the bill of lading, but all was reviewed prior by Russian and Korean (boxes went through Seoul) customs and they approved everything.
US custom agent will not hand over any of the items, event those that match the bill of lading and are charging storage fees for each day we don’t remove them from the facility near the airport. Now, they are asking to make a list of what each item is made of (plus pay a certain percent for EACH item) and that boxes can be picked up only by a broker (who we need to pay now).
Does it worth suing US customs for creating a mess out of the simple procedure? Any recommendations on what we can do?
Thanks,
AH

May I ask a question?

Why do you think Customs need permission to open your packages?

And what exactly ARE the items?

 

[anhil]

Why do you think Customs need permission to open your packages?
It's my personal stuff. It got sealed for a reason

And what exactly ARE the items?
mom's clothes and shoes, juice maker, 2 rugs, my books, photo albums and disks with home videos.

 

[Proserpina]

Why do you think Customs need permission to open your packages?
It's my personal stuff. It got sealed for a reason

Doesn't matter. They did nothing wrong.

And what exactly ARE the items?
mom's clothes and shoes, juice maker, 2 rugs, my books, photo albums and disks with home videos.

Apparently there was at least some suspicion, or it was a random thing.

Either way, you cannot sue.

 

[anhil]

Thank you Proserpina.

Does anyone know what's with "make a list of what each item is made of, plus pay a certain percent for EACH item"?
It seems like i'm buying MY OWN STUFF from sale.

 

[CdwJava]

Thank you Proserpina.

Does anyone know what's with "make a list of what each item is made of, plus pay a certain percent for EACH item"?
It seems like i'm buying MY OWN STUFF from sale.

It sounds like you are being asked to list the items and pay a duty on them.

You may have to get in touch with the Customs folks to find out just what forms they want.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/duty_rates/

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

You did not say the items were yours. It sounds like customs believes they are new and wants you to pay an import fee.

 

[stealth2]

It may not matter if the items are new or not. When my ex and I moved abroad way back, we were charged hefty import fees for our (used) goods. Not when we returned to the US, but only because we could prove that we had purchased the items in the US.