I bought a vcd off of ebay (only 1) from malaysia, i received the vcd in the mail. I just got a letter from the port of indianapolis saying they seized my interests, but i got the vcd in the mail? If they seized it how did i get it in the mail. i dont understand. Do they want it back then? Are they going to come get it? I dont understand that stupid packet they gave me. I just want out of this thing. any help is appreciated. Thanks Dan.

-- Dan Lange (dlange@netins.net), January 15, 2003

Answers

I'm not a lawyer. If you have any worries at all, talk to a lawyer. What does the packet say? Does it tell you how to get your "seized merchandise" back? If so, don't sweat it. Consider yourself lucky that you got your VCD. Customs probably thinks they still have your disc. Typically US customs only goes after large shipments. Buying multiple copies of the same title is a no-no also. US law allows consumers to own ONE copy of an imported title, not multiple ones. You buy more than one copy of the same title, customs can seize your stuff on royalty/copyright grounds. I would suggest that you not buy from the guy on Ebay again. He may be known to US customs as a bootleg dealer, which is why they looked at your shipment. I have never heard of a guy buying one VCD and having it seized so I can only assume something raised a red flag. I recommend that people buy in very small quantities from foreign sources. Even if what you are buying is legit, if you buy 100 VCDs at once, US customs may just assume you are dealing in bootlegs and the reality of the situation is that once customs has your stuff, it is almost impossible to get it back. You are truly guilty until proven innocent in the eyes of US customs. In your case unless the letter orders you to appear in court or to surrender your disc, forget it. Stuff that has been seized is not supposed to get through to the customer, so either you got lucky or the letter of "seizure" was a mistake.

-- Root (root@yahoo.moc), January 15, 2003.

If you live in the USA and the police come a knocking. Just tell them "The 5th Amendement" Basically don't tell them anything and ask to speak to a lawyer. If you live outside the USA. Don't worry about it at all. The yanks aren't going to waste their time and resources chasing after one person with one CD. They would rather eat donuts, than come after you. And as for sending you the CD, the other thing to keep in mind. Is the person that sent the letter may not even be legitamate. Does the letter have a colored letter head or is it a photocopy? Someone maybe playing a joke on you.

-- Moi (dontemailme@hotmail.com), January 16, 2003.