[Nhcoll-l] USFWS seizure of imports

[Chris Grinter]

Hi all,
I want to give everyone a warning that the NY USFWS office has been seizing
packages that do not contain pre-cleared 3-177 documents. I've just
received an official notice of seizure for a loan that came back from China
(via NY for some reason). The package was clearly labeled with a
declaration of specimens, loan for systematic research, etc—however the
agents at JFK seized the material as a violation of the Lacey Act, failure
to mark appropriately (lacking 3-177 is how I interpret this), and failure
to obtain clearance. The package was intercepted in September 2024 and I
got notice today. No one at the NY office will pick up the phone or return
my messages.

If you're receiving material from anywhere abroad it's critical to get a
pre-cleared 3-177 and keep a close eye on the tracking number.
Unfortunately if a package is seized by USFWS there is no update posted to
USPS, it just shows as "in transit".

Chris

Christopher C. Grinter
Senior Collection Manager of Entomology
Secretary, The Lepidopterists’ Society
Subject Editor: Lepidoptera, The Pacific Coast Entomological Society
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr
San Francisco, CA 94118
T 415.379.5320
We regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and
collaboration.
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