topic Re: Item being held in Buying

Item being held

michellebartley — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 00:39:53 GMT

I have at present an item being held at Global Shipping Centrein UK as it is a prohibited substance((anti-bacterial powder). Will they send it back to seller possibly and am I entitled to refund in this instance?

Re: Item being held

lyndal1838 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 00:44:55 GMT

No and No.

If the GSP refuses to send a prohibited item then it is usually destroyed.....just like it would be destroyed by Customs if it did get here.

You could try asking for a refund but from what I have heard you will have a very hard job getting one.

Re: Item being held

*tippy*toes* — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 01:12:22 GMT

No chance in the world of getting a refund. Did you know that Australia is a first world country, therefore you have access to countless amounts of antibacterial powders, lotions, medicines? It's not the sellers fault you didn't check the laws before you bought. It's not up to the seller to know each countries laws. Therefore, it's not up to the seller to give you a refund. Why should they be punished because you didn't check the laws on prohibited substances?

If you are having an issue with infections in your rats, go to the vet or local produce store and get some Terramycin powder. It's a broad spectrum antibiotic powder that treats pretty much everything (on the outside of the body). The best part about it is, you can also use it on yourself if you have an infection in a wound. That's all I've ever used on both humans and animals since I was a kid.

Sorry, but you've done your dough. I can imaging the postage was pretty steep too. Let it be a lesson to you to check the laws before you make your next overseas purchase. If you're not sure, come here and ask before buying.

Re: Item being held

davidc4430 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 01:12:38 GMT

just doing a quick ebay search antibacterial powder, not seeing any aussie sellers offering it.

points me in the direction of a product that has restrictions on how its sold in australia.

trying to circumvent aussie laws will get you into trouble if you continue.

prolly ask at you local chemist about this product.

Re: Item being held

*tippy*toes* — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 01:22:28 GMT

Oh, but David, it's probably 40c cheaper to get it from overseas. Given that it's cheaper may mean the fine and jail time for trying to import restricted items is less too.

Re: Item being held

lyndal1838 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 01:30:56 GMT

To be fair.....the GSP in the USA is notorious for getting it wrong and refusing to ship items which are not banned here. Take knives for example....Pitney Bowes refuses to ship any knives to Australia.

To me the test would be whether the powder is available for sale in Australia...if it is then it should be OK to buy from overseas. If it is not on sale here then it is probably because it is not considered safe.

Re: Item being held

nevillesdaughter — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 02:01:20 GMT

If it's for an animal - the local vet would be the person to talk to.

Marina.

Re: Item being held

*tippy*toes* — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 02:14:55 GMT

@lyndal1838 wrote:
To be fair.....the GSP in the USA is notorious for getting it wrong and refusing to ship items which are not banned here. Take knives for example....Pitney Bowes refuses to ship any knives to Australia.

To me the test would be whether the powder is available for sale in Australia...if it is then it should be OK to buy from overseas. If it is not on sale here then it is probably because it is not considered safe.

Not always. Depending on the active ingredients, you may still need a permit to import them. You may need to be a registered pharmacist, doctor or vet. Antibacterial hand rub is widely available, yet I don't think you can import it from overseas without a permit.

I would also be concerned about buying any sort of medicinal products from overseas, for both myself and my animals. We have some of the tightest regulations in the world. You wouldn't know if the overseas bought stuff is what it actually is. What are the standards like where it was manufactured? How do you know that if it says it's 1% ABCD that it is actually 1% and not 0.1% or even 10%.

I know that whatever I buy here complies with Australian standards and if it says it's 1%, then it is. If it turns out not to be, then a lot of people get into a lot of strife and could even find themselves in jail.

Re: Item being held

davidc4430 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 02:28:28 GMT

yep, for animals best for some items to buy from aussie sellers even if they are veternarians although i'd try the chemist first might be a lot cheaper.

Re: Item being held

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 03:19:27 GMT

Why on earth would you be entitled to a refund for attempting to have a prohibited item imported ?????

Re: Item being held

padi*0409 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 03:52:45 GMT

Michelle was probably very lucky the customs here didn't find that powder, that would have flagged her for regular inspections for a while enigmabear, and customs take a very dim view of regularly importing prohibited items from overseas.

Re: Item being held

imastawka — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 04:06:14 GMT

There's $31 down the drain from another seller who 'may not post to Australia'

Michelle, just go to the local vet. They sell this stuff over the counter.

You don't have to pay a hefty fee to see the vet

Re: Item being held

davidc4430 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 04:09:05 GMT

she's been warned about importing prohibted items many times, i say let her go, a good big fine from customs will sort her out.

if it doesnt being arrested might.

Re: Item being held

davidc4430 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 04:28:04 GMT

i found you something to read,

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/My-Story-by-Schapelle-Corby-Kathryn-Bonella-Paperback-2006-/152109825410?hash=item236a73bd82:g:sLUAAOxyYANTYzpd

Re: Item being held

book-of-hezekiah — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 04:57:03 GMT

Hi Michelle,

Who said the item is prohibited? If it was Australian Customs and Quarantine then you have made the error and unfortunately have lost on this sale. As others have said it is the buyer's responsibility to know about their local laws.

If it was the GSP arbitrarily putting it on their banned list contrary to Quarantine information then something else might come into play. Alas I have no experience with the GSP. I suggest looking on the Australian Quarantine website to try to find information about your product. If you are unsure then email Customs and Quarantine to ask them if you are eligible to import the item. They will tell you yes or no. They may also give advice on how to apply for eligility (often a lengthy and costly procedure. )

Parting advice: always, always, every time and without fail research your product for import restrictions BEFORE YOU BID OR BUY no matter who you are buying from or what delivery method they offer AND even if you have purchased before. Rules can and do change frequently. You will save yourself a lot of time, money and anxiety doing the research first.

Best wishes!

Re: Item being held

michellebartley — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 05:20:16 GMT

Item was held in UK. There is a possibility it MAY still be cleared but wont find out til early next week. I have told seller what is happening.
In future if doubtful I will ask the seller to check to see if OK to ship.
It says on the check list site for prohibited items that liquids cant be sent but I have had vitamin drops (for pets) sent from UK before quite a few times.
The anti bacterial powder for personal use is available from some chemists in AUS as I have used it.
This brand I bought is not available in AUS and there is nothing similar to purchase here.
And dont compare me with Schapelle b..... Corby. Yecchh.... I 'd rather be compared to a bunch of turnips.

Re: Item being held

padi*0409 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 06:13:02 GMT

@michellebartley wrote:

In future if doubtful I will ask the seller to check to see if OK to ship.

Michelle it's really up to you to find out what can and can't be imported into Australia which would involve looking up the website for customs and quarantine, and if necessary ringing them to clarify the position.

I doubt very much if a seller is likely to do this work for you for a low-value item, at the end of the day it's your responsibily not the seller's to know whether an item is prohibited or not.

Re: Item being held

davidc4430 — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 06:20:37 GMT

i realise your not the brightest spark in the pack, but use some of the lump in your head.

the fact "This brand I bought is not available in AUS and there is nothing similar to purchase here." might just be because...

the authorities have NOT given the company that makes it permission to import it into australia!

this might not get through your thick skull but everything we buy here as food or drugs has to be given an ok by the government.

but you just go ahead an keep BREAKING THE LAW and they will catch you sooner or later.

you and chapelle will look very similar once it happens

wont do any good saying, aww, i didnt know, boo hoo.

Re: Item being held

book-of-hezekiah — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 06:23:59 GMT

Thanks Michelle, this info helps.

Remember, be patient: it's too early to panic just yet!

Good on you for alerting your seller about what is happening. (Just try not to send too many messages!)

You said, "In future if doubtful I will ask the seller to check to see if OK to ship." Half of this is good, the other half is so wrong. The bit that is right when in doubt, ask. The bit that is wrong is asking the seller. The seller is never the one responsible for knowing if the product is acceptable to ship to another country. YOU need to ask the Australian authorities.

I'll let davidc speak for himself about the book!

I'll go into teacher mode now. I don't mean to be condescending but it will probably come across that way. Michelle, can you please type a quick summary of what you understand the buying procedure to be when an Aussie buyer (you) buys from overseas, whatever the product is and regardless of whether or not you have purchased the same or similar before? This might help to identify gaps in your knowledge and indicate where an answers might need a bit more info.

Thanks!

Re: Item being held

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 06:31:07 GMT

It is NOT up to sellers to find out if it is ok to ship something. That is the resposnisbility of the BUYER

If a buyer is in doubt and does not want to find out, simple solution is don't buy