Problems with US Customs HELP!

[Richard Jensen]

This is becoming an increasingly frequent problem.  I know that Walter Judd, at
the University of Florida, has had the same problem and has, up to a point, been
able to achieve a successful resolution.  The problem is, in part, a consequence
of increased security growing out of the 9/11 events.  Supposedly, if all
specimens in the shipment are properly identified (by scientific and common
names), the quarantine wil be only temporary.  However, some zealous Customs
agents have been tempted to destroy improperly labeled shipments (even though
the contents were clearly indentified) and in several instances they have been
returned to the point of origin.  Here is a portion of an e-mail Walt sent me
after the problem was resolved:

"It turns out
that Homeland Security has new regulations regarding shipping museum
specimens, and the long used phrase "herbarium material for scientific
study, of no commercial value" is no longer satisfactory.  Packages
require a summary listing of contents, and also names and contact
information for the scientists to receive the material.  Leonard Hirsch,
at the Smithsonian, is working with governmental authorities to draft
instructions to botanists at foreign institutions, so this will not
happen again.  Supposedly, the customs official involved (at New York,
which was the port of entry) was merely doing his job -- inforcing the
new regulations, but the problem is that no one had informed the
scientific community of the new rules.
Jim Smith, in the customs service, was very helpful in this process.  He
said that the specimens really would not have been destroyed, although
that was the threat of the NY customs inspector."

Cheers,

Dick J.



Frank Farruggia wrote:

> Recently we have requested herbarium specimens from England, which were then
> sent via DHL.  Last week we were informed that US Customs had "quarantined"
> the materials and were holding them till approval was received.  Its been a
> week and we have no new information.  Do any of you know how to resolve this
> issue?  Who do we contact?
>
> Thanks
> Frank
>
> Frank T. Farruggia
> Arizona State University Herbarium
> Tempe, AZ
> Frank_Farruggia at hotmail.com

--
Richard J. Jensen              | tel: 574-284-4674
Department of Biology      | fax: 574-284-4716
Saint Mary's College         | e-mail: rjensen at saintmarys.edu
Notre Dame, IN 46556    | http://www.saintmarys.edu/~rjensen