Reciever's customs broker assigned?

[macmini3399]

Hello,
I bought a iBook G3 600 off ebay. It was shipped through UPS and it has been going quite fast. Then it lands in Lachine Quebac and things get weird. Heres from the UPS tracking page:
LACHINE,
QC, CA 12/04/2007 10:27 RECEIVER'S CUSTOMS BROKER ASSIGNED. THE SHIPMENT IS NOW RELEASED FOR DELIVERY
12/04/2007 8:03 REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY;SHIPMENT SUBMITTED TO CLEARING AGENCY
12/04/2007 8:03 REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY;RELEASED BY CLR AGENCY. NOW IN-TRANSIT

What does reciever's customs broker assigned mean? Thanks,
Colton

 

[Lisa]

From the US Customs site -

"The customs broker is a highly-trained import professional. Licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the customs broker must possess thorough knowledge of tariff schedules and Customs regulations and keep abreast of the amendments made through constant changes in the law and administrative regulations.

The complexity of the job is evident when one considers that for every shipment entering the United States there is an official greeting: 500 pages of Customs regulations and thousands of tariff items. The broker must be well-versed in determining proper classifications and dutiable value, and be fully aware of the vast number of commodities subject to quotas.

Many brokers help clients choose modes of transportation and appropriate carriers, which require analyses of a vast body of data. They also provide assistance to importers in assigning shipments the best routes. There are estimates for landed costs, payments of goods through draft, letters of credit insurance, and re-delivery of cargo if there is more than one port of destination.

In dealing with Customs, the broker must be aware of any potential problem involving every entry item represented, including cargo handling. This includes all factors affecting appraisement, exchange rates and the many regulations concerning calculation of duties. "
_______________


So, I would assume that tracking information means that your package was cleared through customs via a broker, and is on its way to you. I thought that brokers were hired by the receiver, but maybe that's not always the case...

 

[macmini3399]

Ah thank you. I was worried there for a minute.

 

[TheCustomer99]

Yeah, that was just customs making sure you didn't buy drugs or something.

 

[johntalin]

From the US Customs site -

"The customs broker is a highly-trained import professional. Licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the customs broker must possess thorough knowledge of tariff schedules and Customs regulations and keep abreast of the amendments made through constant changes in the law and administrative regulations.

The complexity of the job is evident when one considers that for every shipment entering the United States there is an official greeting: 500 pages of Customs regulations and thousands of tariff items. The broker must be well-versed in determining proper classifications and dutiable value, and be fully aware of the vast number of commodities subject to quotas.

Many brokers help clients choose modes of transportation and appropriate carriers, which require analyses of a vast body of data. They also provide assistance to importers in assigning shipments the best routes. There are estimates for landed costs, payments of goods through draft, letters of credit insurance, and re-delivery of cargo if there is more than one port of destination.

In dealing with Customs, the broker must be aware of any potential problem involving every entry item represented, including cargo handling. This includes all factors affecting appraisement, exchange rates and the many regulations concerning calculation of duties. "
_______________


So, I would assume that tracking information means that your package was cleared through customs via a broker, and is on its way to you. I thought that brokers were hired by the receiver, but maybe that's not always the case...

What goes around, comes around.