USPS won't honor my claim because the iPhone "is a prohibited item." Is that right?

TB07-NJ said:
Officer, I didn't know the speed limit was 25, sorry for going 100. Unfortunately not being aware of a regulation doesn't permit one to ignore it. If it is prohibited (illegal) I would guess insurance could be denied.

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ps_013.htm
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Thanks for the info. My thing is, what average Joe, or eBay seller, would know of such a list of restrictions? There are 195 countries in the world. 196 including us here in the U.S. Everytime I sell an item internationally, I'm suppose to be aware of the prohibited items for all 195 countries??
 
Bawstun said:
To the OP: No, it isn't right. And don't settle for "Oh well, I learned my lesson."

That's bulls***. You paid for your insurance, and your insurance you should get. Fight it. Call every higher up number you can get from the USPS. My iPod touch was stolen by an employee of the USPS once and never got to its destination (and I shipped to Florida) - and they tried for WEEKS to deny my claim, give me a runaround, they even made the person I sent it to write a LETTER to them stating that they in fact never received it. (even though by the tracking information they could see this was the case - it never left my city).

So long story short, the USPS sucks, never use them again, and GET YOUR MONEY BACK.
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Yes, I will be making lots of phone calls to eBay and the USPS. I'm just not going to lay down for this one.
 
Lamarak said:
When you bought the insurance, did you mention or get it in writing that it was an iphone? They shouldnt have sold you insurance if it wasnt going to cover it unless you omitted the fact it was an iphone.
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The Customs and Declaration and Dispatch Note requires truthful information. That's what I did. I wrote the exact insurance coverage, the exact value, and the exact description, "Apple iPhone."
 
macaddict23 said:
The Customs and Declaration and Dispatch Note requires truthful information. That's what I did. I wrote the exact insurance coverage, the exact value, and the exact description, "Apple iPhone."
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Or maybe that truth fullness is what screwed you? I have so far sent 3 iPhones to Russia, and each time I indicated used cell phone or used electronics, and so far (knock on wood) I haven't had a problem. Maybe Rus customs saw that it said apple iPhone and confiscated it? Like they say, nice guys finish last.

Either way, don't accept defeat, be a pain in USPSs ass until you either get your money back or USPS gets a restraining order lol.
 
PaHtSaN said:
Or maybe that truth fullness is what screwed you? I have so far sent 3 iPhones to Russia, and each time I indicated used cell phone or used electronics, and so far (knock on wood) I haven't had a problem. Maybe Rus customs saw that it said apple iPhone and confiscated it? Like they say, nice guys finish last.

Either way, don't accept defeat, be a pain in USPSs ass until you either get your money back or USPS gets a restraining order lol.
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If the Russian Customs side confiscated it, I don't know how the OP can really blame the USPS.
 
This sucks, i hope i do not end up in the same situation you have experienced, i have a sibling send two iPhone 4's my way out of the country, i instructed the person to insure it, include tracking services and send it through express international mail and make sure to check the gift box plus enter a vague description, the person did all of the above except in the description wrote iPhone... :eek:

expected delivery of the phones is this week. crossing my fingers and hope no one delivering the package to its destination think its his...
 
Apple OC said:
the above advice is useless ... just call them, if you insured the shipment ... they should take care of it ... that is why they offer insurance.

They may have a bunch of useless people that waste people's time working there ... but they will not just rip you off.
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Speaking of useless posts......

macaddict23 said:
Thanks for the info. My thing is, what average Joe, or eBay seller, would know of such a list of restrictions? There are 195 countries in the world. 196 including us here in the U.S. Everytime I sell an item internationally, I'm suppose to be aware of the prohibited items for all 195 countries??
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Unfortunately, yes. You are expected to know of all laws and rules. It sucks, but that's how it is. Just like moving to a new state, it's your responsibility to find out any new laws or taxes you are expected to follow.

macaddict23 said:
Yes, I will be making lots of phone calls to eBay and the USPS. I'm just not going to lay down for this one.
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Giving up gets you nothing. Take it as high as you can to see if you get something. You may get nowhere, but the cost of an iPhone is worth the effort.
 
Jonathan360 said:
If the Russian Customs side confiscated it, I don't know how the OP can really blame the USPS.
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Well first of all I said maybe it was Rus customs, 2nd what does it matter who's fault it is? The OP sent a package, bought insurance, paid, and the package wasn't delivered. He's not going to ask the Russian Federation to pay for it, USPS is atleast somewhat responsible. If he doesn't try he def won't get anything, if he does try he might get his money, the choice is pretty obvious.
 
PaHtSaN said:
Or maybe that truth fullness is what screwed you? I have so far sent 3 iPhones to Russia, and each time I indicated used cell phone or used electronics, and so far (knock on wood) I haven't had a problem. Maybe Rus customs saw that it said apple iPhone and confiscated it? Like they say, nice guys finish last.

Either way, don't accept defeat, be a pain in USPSs ass until you either get your money back or USPS gets a restraining order lol.
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I've sold a ton of electronics overseas, and I'm sure I've sold several phones to Russia. I just have to dig through 6 years of printed Customs receipts to find one that was sent to Russia. I can show that as proof.

Yeah, perhaps had I stated "phone" not "iPhone," it probably would've been delivered.
 
Geckotek said:
Speaking of useless posts......
Unfortunately, yes. You are expected to know of all laws and rules. It sucks, but that's how it is. Just like moving to a new state, it's your responsibility to find out any new laws or taxes you are expected to follow.
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I understand. But wouldn't you think eBay is partly responsible? I mean why did the listing process allow me to list the iPhone to Russia? It's similar to listing a recalled item, their system typically scans your listing form before allowing you to actually list the item live.
 
macaddict23 said:
I understand. But wouldn't you think eBay is partly responsible? I mean why did the listing process allow me to list the iPhone to Russia? It's similar to listing a recalled item, their system typically scans your listing form before allowing you to actually list the item live.
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eBay is an open market. Vendors are expected to know the rules. eBay has their own rules, but I've never seen an attempt from them to enforce laws or rules from other organizations or countries.
 
Apple OC said:
Sorry you are so bitter ... it is only advice which can be ignored by anyone but you ... by the way Google is useless for me ... maybe it works for you, but to each his own.
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Yeah ok, Google is useless thats why its used to search just about everything by millions of users every day.
In this situation many other people with the same issue have fallen victims for it so saying the above information is useless its pretty ignorant IMO.
 
PaHtSaN said:
Well first of all I said maybe it was Rus customs, 2nd what does it matter who's fault it is? The OP sent a package, bought insurance, paid, and the package wasn't delivered. He's not going to ask the Russian Federation to pay for it, USPS is atleast somewhat responsible. If he doesn't try he def won't get anything, if he does try he might get his money, the choice is pretty obvious.
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Actually that's not true. IF it's the Russian Customs, then the USPS can't be held liable, no matter if insurance is bought or not. The rules with USPS are such that customs isn't covered under the insurance, I've sold a ton of items on eBay, especially international, and it's pretty much the same every time. It covers damage and loss, and if it's Express, that is covered too, but Customs is not. They can't cover it, because there's nothing they can do.

I've been lucky and had no problems, but again, IF it was Customs, again a big if, then the USPS cannot be held liable based on their insurance guidelines. I'm not saying the USPS isn't at fault, we don't know enough details, but if they have to hand it off to Customs, and they confiscate it, then that's not USPS' fault.
 
macaddict23 said:
- I sold an iPhone via eBay on Jul 17 to Russia
- I bought insurance
- After a month, the buyer filed a claim about not receiving it
- Earlier today, I received a notice in the mail denying my claim.
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After the fact, but what made you want to sell the phone out of the country?

Honestly without even searching. Just as I came across this thread. I've NEVER seen a thread that involved selling outside of the country that turned out good (Other than the p-p-p-powerbook).

I don't have any advise for you, but hopefully people will stop shipping to other countries unless they have guaranteed funds prior to shipping. Guaranteed = In your hands that can't be taken back.
 
OneMike said:
After the fact, but what made you want to sell the phone out of the country?

Honestly without even searching. Just as I came across this thread. I've NEVER seen a thread that involved selling outside of the country that turned out good (Other than the p-p-p-powerbook).

I don't have any advise for you, but hopefully people will stop shipping to other countries unless they have guaranteed funds prior to shipping. Guaranteed = In your hands that can't be taken back.
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I've sold 10 used iPhones since 2008, and they were shipped to Europe, Asia, and South America. All were positive, except this one. The iPhone is the only item I sell internationally because the market for these used phones are bigger overseas.
 
macaddict23 said:
I've sold 10 used iPhones since 2008, and they were shipped to Europe, Asia, and South America. All were positive, except this one. The iPhone is the only item I sell internationally because the market for these used phones are bigger overseas.
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macaddict23 said:
Why do you have to be a smart ass about it?
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Smart ass, its called common sense

I have been on the internet since aol 1.0, an ebay seller since day one, and have had dozens of craigslist transactions, and have never EVER been burned on anything

I would NEVER ship an item worth over $100 to any country other than the USA.

You got greedy, rather than wait to sell here in the US or sell for a cheaper price you took the high risk of shipping it to a country like Russia, and lost
 
Heres how I see it.

If you actually put "Apple iPhone" on the customs slip during shipping and USPS went ahead and attempted to ship and deliver the item anyway, then theres no way they can use a "prohibited item" excuse. You basically stated prior to shipping what was being shipped. And they still accepted it for shipment, took your money, and attempted shipment despite knowing EXACTLY what was in the package.

If the iPhone was a "prohibited" item, then you shouldn't have been allowed to ship it to begin with. The shipment should have been denied. If it wasn't denied due to human error at the post office, then it should have been stopped and returned to you at one of the many points it would have gone through a sorting facility before leaving the US. When it went through customs, someone should have stopped it.

So the iPhone being a "prohibited item" is nonsense. Do everything you can to get your money. Even file lawsuit in small claims court if you have to.
 
ItsJustafnPhone said:
Smart ass, its called common sense

I have been on the internet since aol 1.0, an ebay seller since day one, and have had dozens of craigslist transactions, and have never EVER been burned on anything

I would NEVER ship an item worth over $100 to any country other than the USA.

You got greedy, rather than wait to sell here in the US or sell for a cheaper price you took the high risk of shipping it to a country like Russia, and lost
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Then just say "common sense." Why bring up this "Nigerian prince" stuff?

It's not greed. I listed it based on 10 positive international iPhone transactions for the last three years.
 
mosx said:
Heres how I see it.

If you actually put "Apple iPhone" on the customs slip during shipping and USPS went ahead and attempted to ship and deliver the item anyway, then theres no way they can use a "prohibited item" excuse. You basically stated prior to shipping what was being shipped. And they still accepted it for shipment, took your money, and attempted shipment despite knowing EXACTLY what was in the package.

If the iPhone was a "prohibited" item, then you shouldn't have been allowed to ship it to begin with. The shipment should have been denied. If it wasn't denied due to human error at the post office, then it should have been stopped and returned to you at one of the many points it would have gone through a sorting facility before leaving the US. When it went through customs, someone should have stopped it.

So the iPhone being a "prohibited item" is nonsense. Do everything you can to get your money. Even file lawsuit in small claims court if you have to.
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That is EXACTLY what I'm trying to say. THANK YOU!
 
Customs is something that USPS or any other shipper has no control over. Customs agents can and do make exceptions and judgment calls as well as fail to enforce their own rules and laws. This being the case, a shipper cannot always predict which items will have trouble clearing customs. Also, reviewing each package to ensure compliance with even stated source and destination customs regulations is a service not typically offered for typical customers at standard shipping rates. I have worked with a few shippers that will perform a cursory check of customs documents upon request but they still refuse to make any guarantees that any particular item will pass customs. There is no way for them to know for sure. This is why it is left up to the shipper to determine whether shipping a particular item to a particular destination is appropriate. The shipper must also accept the inherent risk of passing any items through customs and evaluate for themselves what the chances might be of an item being seized based on the item and countries in question.

The only chance the OP has to fight the claim denial is if there is some proof that the item was lost prior to reaching Russian customs.
 
yamabushi said:
Customs is something that USPS or any other shipper has no control over. Customs agents can and do make exceptions and judgment calls as well as fail to enforce their own rules and laws. This being the case, a shipper cannot always predict which items will have trouble clearing customs. Also, reviewing each package to ensure compliance with even stated source and destination customs regulations is a service not typically offered for typical customers at standard shipping rates. I have worked with a few shippers that will perform a cursory check of customs documents upon request but they still refuse to make any guarantees that any particular item will pass customs. There is no way for them to know for sure. This is why it is left up to the shipper to determine whether shipping a particular item to a particular destination is appropriate. The shipper must also accept the inherent risk of passing any items through customs and evaluate for themselves what the chances might be of an item being seized based on the item and countries in question.

The only chance the OP has to fight the claim denial is if there is some proof that the item was lost prior to reaching Russian customs.
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Where is the last U.S checkpoint prior to shipment overseas?
 
macaddict23 said:
Where is the last U.S checkpoint prior to shipment overseas?
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If you have tracking information (which you should when selling something of such high value) you can check online to see the last US Checkpoint. However, as the guy wrote above me, and what I wrote earlier, IF it's Russian Customs that confiscated the iPhone, there is nothing you can do, since it's not a USPS matter.
 
Was there any type of tracking number associated with the shipment?

If there was, is there a status?

The reason I ask is, I received some inexpensive iphone cables that shipped from Hong Kong registered mail
 
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