International Shipping to USA: What to do if your FedEx delivery “Has Been Delayed”
Hey folks!
I’d like to share what I learned from my SL1S/CW1S purchasing experience in hopes that it will relieve anguish for those purchasing from within the continental USA.
This post has nothing to do with Duties or Taxes.
9/5/22: Ordered bundle FedEx International Priority (2-3 days to North Carolina).
9/7/22: FedEx notification that packages arrived in Indianapolis, Indiana but International clearance has been delayed:
1. Shipment requires importer’s registration/identification number for clearance.
2. A toxic substance statement is required from the consignee
I never thought of myself as an importer or consignee.
As overwhelming as this seems, the solutions are simple and easy…
I called the FedEx help, 1 (800)-463-3339 and when prompted said “International deliveries”. A nice person answered within a few rings and I told them about the delay. They took my info and told me that someone from FedEx customs would send me a link to a secure site where I would enter my name, address, and SSN. No monetary information will be required.
They told me to search online for Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) form, fill it out putting tracking number as Subject, and email it to paperwork@fedex.com and that I would receive conformation that it was accepted.
Here is the link to the TSCA form
https://ftn.fedex.com/forms/TSCA_Certification.pdf
Make the following entries:
Tick the Negative Certification box for all Prusa materials, either filament or resin
You don’t have to enter all items under Product Description, just the potentially toxic ones.
DON'T PUT YOUR SSN ON THIS FORM. IT IS NOT A SECURE EMAIL ADDRESS!!!
9/8/22: I received the following email confirmation from noreply@fedex.com concerning the TSCA form I emailed the day before:
“Your upload was successful and additional research has been initiated. Updates will be provided by Customer Services at 1.800.463.3339 and please provide your tracking number”
I never received any “updates”; in retrospect, the toxic substance issue had been resolved !
9/9/22 (Friday): email received from FedEx Brokerage Team via Docusign “Please Docusign: Customs Importer Identity Form”
I filled this out immediately; very straightforward, instructions were at bottom of form.
9/12/22 (Monday): received email from FedEx: “Clearance issues have been resolved. Shipment has been released for delivery.
9/13/22 (Tuesday, 10:30am); packages delivered to my door!!! No signature required.
I hope this information will be helpful to someone.
A special shoutout to Ladislav at Prusa Shipping for his kindness and expertise. Thank you, kind sir, for your attentiveness on behalf of this needy customer. Best wishes!!!
RE: International Shipping to USA: What to do if your FedEx delivery “Has Been Delayed”
FYI,
9/19/22: Received $122.05 invoice from FedEx for Duties & Taxes on $2,650 purchase.
RE: International Shipping to USA: What to do if your FedEx delivery “Has Been Delayed”
Just posted in another thread but will add here for the data points. I didn't have the TSCA issue but did have a delayed shipment notice. Was never contacted for why it was delayed but contacted Prusa and whatever they did cleared it up.
Just received a $55.ish invoice from FedEx on a $1400 purchase. ($43 customs and a $12 disbursement fee). Shipment was in October so receiving an invoice 3 months later was a surprise.
RE: International Shipping to USA: What to do if your FedEx delivery “Has Been Delayed”
If you buy something expensive, like an XL, a Form 5106 needs to be filed. I believe the threshold is $2500. You will get a somewhat cryptic "Importer must provide the required registration/ identification number" message from FedEx, which indicates FedEx needs this form to get the package thru customs. The older posts above suggested just e-mailing this form to paperwork@fedex.com, however FedEx no longer accepts .PDF forms via e-mail, and it is insecure as your SSN is on it.
Current procedure is to call FedEx at (800)-463-3339 and battle thru the AI system to talk to a person (Hint: Ask the AI for "Representative"). The AI system doesn't seem to be aware of the needed form, but the FedEx reps were all very helpful. Have your shipment number handy as you may have to talk to several reps and they will all ask for it. They will send you a Docusign form via e-mail, that is the electronic version of the paper form. The form is lengthy but if you are a private individual, most of the sections don't need to be filled out. There is a nice help section at the end of the document.