Importing LEGO - question on detained shipment in US customs

MinifiguresPlus

Hi guys,

I have been trying to import LEGO products from Hong Kong and have done this many times in the past (although not in this size from HK). This time the shipment did not clear through customs, but was placed in the CBP in Chicago. My broker then contacted me and stated that I needed a LEGO importing license agreement. I assured her that I had imported LEGO plenty of times before (and she has cleared my other packages as well), but for some reason I am needing one this time.

Does anyone have any information that would help? I would greatly appreciate a good contact at LEGO to help clear this as they are reluctant to try any other avenues without at least a letter from LEGO to state that a licensing agreement is not necessary.

Any other information on the issue would be greatly helpful as I am being charged daily for the package to sit in customs!

dougts

good luck getting a letter from LEGO...they are on a crusade against non-contracted reselling right now, so I doubt they would give that to you unless you do have some sort of arrangement.

Honestly, I unfortunately have no information of value to share with you.

MinifiguresPlus

Right, that is what I fear. Nevertheless, nowhere on the package is there indication of resale. I would think if, for example, someone were to import a large vintage LEGO collection for a museum, wouldn't LEGO do their part and clear that?

dougts

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/trade/iius.ctt/iius.pdf

I find reference to $2000 (or $250) limits, above which may trigger additional scrutiny, documentary, and/or duty requirements.

MinifiguresPlus

Thank you for the information! I wonder then how my broker has cleared 3 other shipments from other countries for me (all over $2000) without this problem. I suppose it is possible that we ran into the wrong person with different legal information.

dougts

No idea. Just did some googling and found the above

pteric

Why would you import Lego from the bootleg, copycat, forged, fake, clone capital of the world?

Phonebooth

^to resell?

MinifiguresPlus

@pteric Many Hong Kong and Singapore sellers actually obtained their boxes from European sellers as there was a huge overproduction that was cleared out from there. All of our minifigures are US or EU distribution.