How to tell where your package is in customs?

Do I need to go to the customs or wait more time?

• I ordered a cap at www.newelementcaps.com and I paid it through Western Union. The seller said that the package will arrive 6-10 days but it's been 12 days and I haven't receive any package. The package was sent via EMS and and here are the following details as I trace it using the tracking number that was given to me: Your item was handed over to Customs(REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MNL CMEC EMS) at 2010-12-21 12:14:00 Timing Site Status 　 2010-12-16 09:00:00 City of Shanghai Posting 　 2010-12-16 09:26:00 City of Shanghai Despatch from Sorting Center 　 2010-12-17 02:04:56 SHANGHAI Arrival at Sorting Center 　 2010-12-17 03:44:40 SHANGHAI Despatch from Sorting Center 　 2010-12-21 09:35:00 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MNL CMEC EMS Arrival at Sorting Center 　 2010-12-21 12:14:00 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MNL CMEC EMS Handed over to Customs The seller said that it is a door to door shipping and there's no detail saying that It has failed to deliver because I'm at home waiting for it.. but it's already december 28 and the Handed over to Customs detail was about december 21 so tell me... Do I need to go to the customs or wait more time? or any ideas please.. Thanks

• Answer:

  You didn't mention where you are, to where the package is being shipped. It's from China obviously so it's likely a fake which may send up a red flag at customs. There may be duties or taxes that need to be imposed and you may have to pay those before you can receive your package. If it is counterfeit, there also may be some legal issues involving shipping to your country or copyright/registration violations. If the sender marked "gift" to avoid taxes, that is actually a federal offense and the customs offices are wise to the shippers who do this regularly. Anything from those shippers may throw up a red flag. If either of these is the case, your goods may even be confiscated and you may not receive them at all. That's a worst case though and I don't know that you've given us enough information to help you out much. If you don't live in the Phillipines, which I'm guessing you don't, this package has at least one more (likely tougher) customs office to clear so if you get it at all, it might be awhile. Maybe with some more information, your question could be better answered. I believe that you can also hire a customs broker to help you get through the chaos of customs and find out what happened but guessing that's probably not worth it.