I think this approach doesn’t apply when you are not travelling with the medication. However, the formal approach, as I understand it from customs is they typically let things through that are FDA approved medications (even if not a U.S. approved brand), non controlled substances and quantities consistent with personal use.
1 Like
I received a letter from customs and ignored it. The supplier sent another order at no charge and guess what? The package stuck in customs showed up a couple of weeks later.
5 Likes
I waited 8 weeks once. Nothing was opened, it just got stuck in a pile, I think. It happens.
1 Like
Just a suggestion, but if I ordered any so-called Covid meds like Paxlovid, HCQ, or Ivermectin from overseas I would order them separately so you don’t lose the rest of your shipment. The US government made it obvious there was selective seizure of these drugs. They were additionally sending letters to popular online vendors about selling and marketing these drugs to US citizens. Sometimes when a package is opened with a small amount of non-scheduled medication it may pass through anyway. But if a Covid med is present I think the chance of seizure is pretty much guaranteed.
1 Like
Jagdish’s Package is out of customs now too. Quite fast actually. Only 6 days.
1 Like
My shipment from Maulik also moved fast from India through U.S. Customs, but has been stuck since 12/4 at the same place.in Jamaica NY.
Maulik says that besides Customs, USPS also is causing delays.
1 Like
As information: If you have had a shipment confiscated…read this:
Customs inspection algorithms, such as those used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), do incorporate destination data—including destinations of previously confiscated shipments—as part of their risk assessment and targeting processes.
-
Inclusion of Destination as a Feature:
Studies on customs inspection algorithms show that the destination of a shipment (“Dest”) is treated as a key attribute in the dataset used for building predictive models. Analysis of customs data has demonstrated that certain destinations are statistically associated with higher rates of illicit shipments. For example, cross-tabulation and statistical tests have revealed that some destinations consistently see more confiscations, and this information is used to refine risk profiles and improve targeting accuracy. -
Automated Targeting System (ATS):
CBP’s Automated Targeting System (ATS) compares cargo information—including destination—against patterns identified from previous law enforcement cases, intelligence, and historical data. This enables the system to flag shipments for additional scrutiny based on similarities to past confiscated shipments, including destination patterns. -
Data Analytics and Trend Detection:
Customs authorities use advanced analytics and big data tools to detect anomalies and trends, including unusual trade flows to specific destinations. These tools help identify high-risk routes and destinations based on historical enforcement actions, including confiscations, and adjust inspection priorities accordingly.
In summary, destination data—including destinations linked to previously confiscated shipments—is actively used by customs inspection algorithms to enhance risk assessment and help prevent illicit shipments from entering the country
3 Likes
Was inquiring about putting in an order with Varun Medicals and they had this to say about current situation
We are recommending 2 parcels this time as USA customs is rejecting/confiscating many parcels since begening of Trump Governance. Just in case if the big parcel is blocked, you will lose whole the amount.
Please suggest.
Thanks
Has anyone had packages from India lately with problems or not?
1 Like
Yes. I had a shipment confiscated by customs after Trump became president.
1 Like
I’ve had a package returned in April due to “insufficient address” (BS - full address clearly visible and successfully used with dozens of India pharm deliveries). Now it’s been stuck in Indian customs since April 24. I have another package on the way, and will order one more after that, before taking a break.
1 Like
I did small split order a few months ago from India…and one of the two was flagged & destroyed…the second one since I started buying from there. Based on what I could determine, Customs is now likely using technology to flag both recipients and senders of previously confiscated shipments. The status of drugs from India under AD/CVD or Section 201/232/301 is unclear and volatile. The diminimis exemption is still in place …for now.
2 Likes
They might have a specific quota of “illegal pharma seizures” to meet to show off. Get the first year off a good start and then business can get back to usual.
This reminds me that if any of us regular folks are going to have any chance of life extension the gray market is where it’s at. You want your life extension tech off some dealer in a dark alley all chromed up, paid in bitcoin in 2045.
2 Likes
I have a package from India that remains in US customs since 5-15-25. I assume it will be destroyed or sent back to the vendor. The vendor is not offering any compensation.
Hard to blame the vendor. He sent the package and it was seized by US customs which he has no control over. Part of the deal is the understanding that US Customs may in fact seize the shipment, that’s a risk the customer knowingly assumes ahead of the time, not the vendor. He fulfilled his part of the deal. Of course, one could ask him to eat the cost, but depending on his profit margin, if the cost of meds is much higher, he may never recoup, especially from an only occasional customer. He may end up with a net loss. That’s not a sustainable customer relationship. A frequent long time customer might be a different calculation. YMMV.
5 Likes
All true! But, the increased seizures of shipments make the economics of buying abroad much less attractive.
3 Likes
You will get letter/notice that the shipment has been destroyed…and likely your name/address will be added to a data base used to intercept future shipments
2 Likes
Yes, that’s true. But economics is not the only consideration for some of us. For me, it’s not a huge issue (within limits). Not having to deal with the US healthcare system and not needing a doctor’s prescription are big in my book. Of course we all have our own reasons. The siezures are a huge pain. Need to shift recipient addresses, change vendors, order from multiple vendors. The latter is what I do. I place the same order with three different vendors. I may end up with more meds, but in the current environment over the next 3-5 years, I’d rather build up a stockpile. Which I keep in a dedicated fridge.
3 Likes
Actually I have done numerous orders with this vendor. This being the case, I thought he might eat the cost to retain me, however, I now have over 2 years of the things I need, so I won’t be ordering anything for some time, and when doing so again, I will use another vendor, name and address as sugested.
What I am doing now is working out which prescription drugs my parents can get a prescription for at a reasonable price, so that I don’t have to order from India and transport it to the USA. The most recent success is Galantamine, which is cheaper than in India and available with a US prescription.
Successes:
Atorvastatin
Metformin
Ezetimibe
Moderate Success (Prescription obtained, but price higher than in India)
Telmisartan
Acarbose
Failures (Price unacceptable, or could not get a prescription)
Bempedoic Acid
Empagliflozin
Rapamycin
Pitavastatin
Dutasteride
Galantamine
3 Likes
If I were living in the USA I would be lobbying congress to extend the concept of right to try to pharmaceuticals which are not controlled substances. (ie not morphine).
2 Likes