24/04/2024
SAFE SHIPPING GUIDE - Please share
SAFE SHIPPERS GUIDE TO PLANT MEDICINES 2.0
By James.mcnee8
1) About Customs
2)General Hints and Tips (*for better arrival rates)
3)Basic Law
ABOUT CUSTOMS -
What you need to know about CBP = *Customs Border Protection or Customs.
Theyre job is mainly to collect tax and monitor the flow or importations by catagories to help better the economic flow of the country.
Customs do not play fair when it comes to packages from South America.
There is a phenomenon called STUCK PACKAGES.
Where the parcel fails to move in the online system tracking.
Customs can take your package to check it as a random stop, they are rarely tested other than the basic panel field tests
Customs usually can only take your package with an interception warrant from a law enforcement agency.
Also Customs use "rules of observations" to stop your packages.
This can be two or more unusual things, AI helps make identifying the observations easier.
Eg excessive tape or film, product doesnt fit the box , the value of the good is less than the shipping cost, spelling mistakes or a mistakes in postal codes, the tax codes are wrong, excessive checking of package status etc
These are the THREE ways CBP can legally open your package.
This is being said when sending with state owned postal services eg EMS(USPS), Canada Post, Parcel Force, NZ Post, Aus Post, etc
When you ship via DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT you waive certain rights and you package can be stopped on a whim.
They tend to open first and then delay the process often not providing legal motives for opening it.
They then "lose" the package and rarely is the claim made easy when this happens.
Also depends on the cargo, as there are EASY CLAIMS and also PROBLEM CLAIMS. Where its not been tested but DHL (or whoever) still very are reluctant to pay out.
Understand Customs when they open a package rarely test it beyond a basic panel test.
If repeated ordering to the same name and address and big quanities this may change.
However they are well experienced in identifiying things by eye and smell.
They as you can imagine ahve been working and seeing Ayahuasca, San Pedro and Coca in its various forms over the last 30 years.
They dont have the resources to test every plant material or extract when they suspect is something else.
So THEY HOLD THE PACKAGES...(ILLEGALLY!)
*And hope you dont call or noone makes a claim...as this is more effective than making tests and needing to document everything.
CBP know that South American countries rarely make an investigation to a stuck package.
An investigation can ONLY BE DONE BY THE SENDER
Customs use this knowledge to there full advantage.
As noone makes the INVESTIGATION at the SENDERS END normally people here have your money and arent intrested in wasting time making an investigation.
Therefore Customs dont really have to justify the legal reason for stopping the parcel in the first place.
As noone is keeping them in check by following up the stuck parcels.
The parcel is taking a seizure by customs and the persons details are noted so the next shipping automatically goes into Customs again.
Fortunately CBP rarely have the time to pursue all the packages of Ayahausca and other plant materials and extracts that may or may not be FDA, USDA approved.
Huachuma or San Pedro is actually legal to possess even as dired material.
We ship as garden mulch, Customs will take it but you can argue this.
Again most people when Customs take San Pedro inbound are not able to do anything if customs do decide to take it. As rarely do people follow it up at the senders end.
Sometimes you package will show on the system tracking as INBOUND into Customs other times it doesnt.
Either way you do have the rights to ask and complain to customs when in breech of your rights. You can do this from CBP website.
For the most part the recievers dont want to contact customs for fear of prosecution.
So between the fear of the reciever and laziness of the sender not following it up on no moving items.
We have the STUCK PACKAGES PHENONENOM.
WHAT ITS NOT TESTS
Something else I have expierneced where Customs dont waste time testing for what it contains.
They also can test it to show WHAT IT IS NOT, RATHER THAN WHAT DRUG IT CONTAINS therefore dont need an expensive drug test.
For example we sent Ayahuasca and Algoraboina(Carob Syrup).
We were told the Ph level detected was not consistant with the product.
Customs therefore will seize and destroy the package. You havbe 15 days to contest this decesion in which case the product would be subject to a complete evidential test if the results are positive for drugs. You will be charged with importation of a scheduled drug.
The also advise not importing that particular product again.
THIRD PARTY COUNTRY SEIZURES
This is where the package appears STUCK and not moving.
In these instances we do an investigation with slightly different results.
The package has been held BY A THIRD PARTY CUSTOMS while in transit.
Therefore the local countries laws can be applied and things become alot harder to get the reasons for the seizures.
The destination country we assume has given permission to make the clearance a third part country and the level of technolgy is better and things processed faster.
We have had packages going to Japan stopped in France, Packages for Thailand stopped in Germany, Packages for UK stopped in Holland.
When this happens there is no system message saying INBOUND INTO CUSTOMS , it simple doesnt move. Then takes twice as long as usually the dont repond as to WHY ITS HELD, the first letter after 30 days just says "Held in ### Customs" to make it more discouraging for the claimer.
You have to ask again requiring another 30 days to ask why it was held or stopped often this repsonse is vague. Saying "was retricted product in the destination country" doesnt say which of the items in the box either
Again we assume very few tests are done, they know for simply look and smell without needing tests. Stop the packages on suspicion rather than doing tests.
Its very hard to do anything when this happens. As the chain of communication is long and to many people not wanting to help much time can be lost with little result when held in a third part country.
GENERAL HINTS AND TIPS for BETTER ARRIVAL RATES
We need to understand Customs uses AI to work out which packages to check.
1)Use informed delivery or the local postal application download and register your details.
When using the informed delivery we can avoid a lot of potential Customs thefts this is been proved time and time again. It seems less suspicious than those not using it.
3)Dont import more than 3 times in 3 months from the same country.
4)Dont under value anything, especially big or weighty parcels
5)Pay tax and keep the value high this make customs think twice about losing it and the reclaim worth pursuing.
6)Make sure the cost of the products shipping cost is not exceeding the value of the product. Where possible try send as "SAMPLES".
7) Ideally when importing make sure the products are not readily available for alot less in the destination country. Eg Aloe Vera Labelling , why buy Aloe Vera powder from Peru at $50 and pay $50 extra in shipping.
When the same product is available your own country for less. This is why its important to label under these circumstances as SAMPLES.
8)Dont use VPN to check you tracking or it will automatically go into customs
9)Dont excessively check your tracking or it will automatically go into customs
10)Where possible use a business name on the address followed by "Attention:" or "C/O -"
11)Where possible ship to a real business as customs dont like to disrupt the flow of commercial traffic.
Where youve had potential shipping issues and are limited to where you can resend too:
Ideally dont send to a previously used address where there had been issues.
12)Using a fresh when possible as address the good will almost 100% arrive, so dont get cocky they alway let the first things through.
Using a fresh address always means less risk for everyone.
13)Dont use the EMAIL or PHONE NUMBER used address where there had been previous shipping issues. As the AI knows that its the same persons by the number and email but using a different address.
14)Use title and name abreviations Mr, Mrs, Dr, Prof. And initials rather than full names, to make variations of the base name. Also you can make intention name mistakes in an attempt to fool the AI. Eg Derrek Smith might be Dr D Smithe.
15)Dont be afraid to send to your neighbours house number and your name. As the local postal driver will know who is who and will assume the number is a mistake and therefore delvier to the name on the package.
16) Also helpful - change the sender documents when possible
17)Also helpful - change the senders phone number and emails when possible
18)Also helpful - change the post shops things are being sent from when possible.
STUCK PACKAGES INSIDE PERU
Apart from Customs a great tradgedy is the low education in south american countries, this is also a cause of another type of stuck package.
When you send a parcel and label an product name using that of a medicinal plant in Peru
The package will get stopped by SERFOR.
Many people arent aware you need permissions to export plant medicines from Peru.
So they accept you money, put it in a basica bag and label and send it.
90% of people in the jungle areas dont have these type of permissions therefore the packages are stopped before leaving Peru.
Only cultivated species are exempt from this.
So depending on hows things are labelled you may also have stuck packages at this end.
Here are some more TIPS and TRICKS from my other shipping guide.
TIPS:
**Use a 'Customs Broker if possible, if planning on multiple ORDERS
**Keep your basic details real as possible but vague
**keep order sizes down to 5kg (unless tax paying entity)
**Be ready to pay tax anyhow
**If delays ALWAYS RING COURIER!
**Use Initials, and titles (Dr, Rev, Prof, Mr etc), to create variant if shipping regularly
**Using an invented or copied business name followed by 'Att: or c/o'
**Ship to NEIGHBOUR'S house number, the COURIER will assume the house number, is the mistake. And delivery it to the NAME on the package not the number
**Consider a Depot or pick up point
**Slower the service often seem to be the surer.
**If you have a COURIER ACCOUNT in your home country (DHL, FEDEX etc) if possible to organise a pick up and do preclearance this will sabe time and money
** Some services example DHL offer a PORT to PORT service, where you PICK IT UP for about 50% of the DOOR to DOOR Price.
**When possible ship as NON-CONSUMABLES to avoid Health Dept scrutiny.
**”Incense” is a INSTANT FLAG in most cases anything you can burn can be called incense customs is aware it was a loophole still is, but will get you looked at closer.
STUFF TO KNOW:
BUYING DIRECTLY from PUCALLPA or IQUITOS or shipped from CUZCO your chances of receiving your goods has already been reduced.
As these are KNOWN SHIPPING HOTSPOT for sending AYAHUASCA and SAN PEDRO
There is NO FIELD TEST FOR DMT.
This means the ends rarely justify the costs of the operations.
CBP (CUSTOMS) work with budgets. The “IF IN DOUBT KEEP IT OUT”...policy is very cost effective compared less legally complicated than evidential drug testing.
With that in mind FEAR and LAZINESS (the not following it up) are responsible for a lot the continuing vigilant acts by Customs.
The FIRST TEST is the HOLD test, to see how you react to your package been stopped.
This is by far the cheapest DRUG TEST customs has, if you do not call you risk your package being forwarded to ACTUAL customs.
Customs FYI can hold a package for up to 90 days. So its best to avoid it going in there.
It is not uncommon for people in small business importing regularly for 12 – 18 months after this period almost ALL PACKAGES are stopped. This means your time has come and its time to formalize your importations buy using a Customs broker or making tax payments on imports.
Keep product values REALISTIC as the simple GOOGLE online prices, pay tax when required.
Try keep the declared product value ATLEAST half the shipping value.
NUMBERS and CONTACTS:
CBP(CUSTOMS) can be contacted by simply googling the phone number.
DHL you will need to go to the site, UK does have a number however
UPS has branches are listed per country
EMS is USPS(USA), PARCEL FORCE(UK) it usually is represented by your local state-owned Couriers
FEDEX you will go to the site and be redirected to local server when you can find contact numbers.
“THE SELLER ROAD IS OFTEN PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS”
It is not uncommon for someone to tell you YES they can get ayahuasca then only later to find they sending is more complicated than first thought.
Often it is a CHAIN OF PEOPLE and more often than not does not work out as planned.
Its more common have it SENT, then some DOCUMENT ISSUE arises in the destination country when the SENDER is not prepared with datasheets and invoices for those sendings.
To that their response is to BLOCK YOU from contacting them as it becomes to much work they never prepared for.
And they will again got play the lottery buy continuing to TRY SEND… as the “ATTITUDE IS VERY SIMPLE – “it was sent”.
Try if it is possible to find a vendor that offers a RESEND or REPLACEMENT option if ISSUES often there is not enough money to pay for the resend. But they vendor should be able to replace the products reasonable cheap for a resend for cost of shipping only.
BASIC COUNTRY LAWS:
For the larger part the PLANT MATERIALS THEMSELVES are not restricted in most countries.
When they are correctly identified and labelled as the true origin.
This does not mean Customs is going to make importing them easy unless you are prepared.
WHY are they NOT RESTRICTED do not they CONTAIN and other CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES??
Correct why buy them if they did not, ok although the plant material contains active alkaloids it does not mean they are illegal.
Here is why and what you should know…
Most legislation on Drugs outlines a law specifically contained to list CONTROL PLANT MATERIALS.
For the greater part the most commonly list and you will have increase troubles with are COCA, PE**TE, KHAT, MUSHROOM, CANNABIS, POPPIES.
They plants ARE COMMONLY CONTROLLED by DRUG LAWS. Then clearly they are illegal.
If the SCHEDULED SUSTANCES ACTs are to cover and include all the PLANTS with this legislation.
The we ASK why is there a possession of cannabis law, why is there a specific seed law, why is there a possession law “specifically for these plants” because there are EXCLUDED from the SCHEDULED SUBSTANCES therefore the law must provide and list the ILLEGAL PLANTS eg coca, khat, cannabis.
Because example the psilocybin law is not made to cover PLANTS “there is a law specifically for plants” can you understand the logic?
HOWEVER when the plant material is NOT LABELLED CORRECTLY and an ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL the true nature of the material this then makes it illegal.
Even though it may be a legal plant material by labelled it as something else its now a PREPARATION MIXTURE or ARTICLE.
P.Viridis is grown in Haiwaii and Florida and sold, as well as B Caapi Vine.
If you are not afraid to “BREW YOURSELF” then plant materials are a FAR SAFER LONG-TERM PURCHASE compared to buying prepared and relabelled extracts.
OK although legal CUSTOMS will prefer to make you sweat before handing them over.
PLANT MEDICINES (the basic NEED TO KNOWS)
YOPO –
Importing of seeds its recommended to have a Phyto Sanitary Certificate and check the seed i able to be imported.
The USA there is a SEED PERMITS can be issued by USDA as also they will let you know if contacted what requirements are required for importing plants and timber and seeds.
https://www.usda.gov/contact-us
R**E/HAPE
This can be complicated buy TABBACO LAWS. Its recommend not to list the R**E as containing any form of tabaco. Simply keep the description to Plant Ashes.
COCA – No recommended shipping with other products like ayahuasca, at most couple of “smoke screen ítems”.
There IS A FIELD TEST for COCA LEAVES.
You will not likely get prosecuted but you WILL LIKELY GET A WARNING.
There is only 6 registered places to ship leaves legally from PERU.
The LEAVES ARE ILLEGAL in MOST Western Countries.
They are low Schedule to avoid big potential problems keep the amount you are shipping low to a low weight.
Be aware CUSTOMS will LOG imports even when they have not been “suspicious” at the time they have passed for later reference if they need it.
If you have been importing ANY ITEM under another name, for any length of time YOU ARE AT RISK.
In my experience I seen Customs go back for months and identified OLD TRAKINGS to be the same contraband they are shipping this means YOU CAN NOT SAY “I did not order that, it is a mistake”
This is a GOOD LINE for first time imported in most cases the shipper can confirm its a “shipping error” therefore ends the issue.
MAPACHO TABACCO –
Yes, it can be exported with a phytosanitary certificate to most countries
This costs around$25 for any quantity.
With TABBACO PRODUCTS be aware the is usually a limit and additional TAX maybe required.
For the small buyer for the most part it is hard to send, it likely be removed as the sending are more often and open box policy when seen by the clerk they will remove them and explain that tabaco products are banned.
It is possible if the business your dealing with has ONLINE INVOICES linked to EXPORTA FACIL which allows a business or sole trader who regularly sends to make CLOSED BOX sending in which can mapachos can be put but not declared unless with a phyto.
You will not get prosecuted but you may lose you products.
Generally would not recommend shipping Mapachos unless buy themselves as it may complicate the packages arrival if detected.
SAN PEDRO
There is a risk buying powdered San Pedro it has a bad reputation for being weak.
The reason for this is the process is rarely supervised by the sellers who want the chips ground.
It is easier to ship powders as requires less documents to send, however powders come under more scrutiny at the receivers end after a time.
There is to my knowledge no easy effective field test for San Pedro.
Shipping as incense or aloe vera is OLD SCHOOL
CBP will always be suspect of ALOE VERA coming from Peru.
Vegan Leather is going to be the new ALOE VERA it is a perfect legal use for San Pedro plant material.
The potency of San Pedro can vary a lot 1% is an average alkaloid content from Peru.
AYAHUASCA –
Liquid form of ayahuasca is more likely to FERMENT in the journey.
For this reason is not uncommon to find CREAM, GEL, PASTE or solid resin forms which have generally been concentrated for the purposed of exportation or transportation or preservation.
Ayahuasca is generally considered and ILLEGAL PREPARATION containing DMT in the eyes of the laws in most countries outside of South America.
Prosecutions are RARE I do not know of any personal cases.
In the USA in defence of religious use, I have seen people get Native American Church memberships, also done “state recognized religious declarations” affiliating them with certain beliefs.
It appeared its tolerated more for religious use in USA, some Autonomous Communities in EU countries.
I understand also here have exceptions to use Ayahuasca for enlightenment and religious purposes.
All in all, the law is NOT CLEAR, shipping extracts or liquid of ayahuasca can be often hit and miss. Rarely to never resulting in prosecution.
Ayahuasca plant materials are going to be the future I personally feel.
I know of cases of people who used to send ayahuasca from Iquitos but they no longer do as it such a large number of LOSSES and non-arrivals.
Ayahuasca from Iquitos is usually made from chaliponga and cielo vine. Where in Pucallpa it is just chacruna no chalipoga. I do not know anyone who grows any chaliponga there yet.
The QUALITY of AYAHUASCA is a BIG MYSTERY for most buyers.
It is very common to get something good then the next time, its not so great.
Why is this? Actually it is not likely you are not being scammed.
Simple truth is there is NOT A LOT OF SCIENCE goes into production of ayahuasca
The person brewing, time brew, weight and size and maturity of the plants used all can IMPACT the consistency.
In short there is NOT MUCH QUALITY CONTROL as the plants are abundant here.
In this case all the locals consumers when its weaker will logically just take more.
AYAHUASCA PLANTS and VINES:
IN another part we explain of this article the LAW regarding plant materials and their possession.
In most places CAAPI vine is 100% legal when for not for consumption, however selling for consumption this complicated the issue with medicinal laws and FDA when applicable.
USA we know its legal to buy and sell caapi and chucruna a lot of the LEGALITY OF PLANTS DEPENDS ON YOUR INTENTION and how they have BEEN LABELLED
Whole plants compared to powder should be sent with a Phyto Sanitary.
It is interesting to note we cleared on lot with PHTYO of P.Viridis and DHL refused to carry it as it contained DMT. They asked us to provide importation info from in this case USA.
While the shipping via EMS was complicated by it as a STATE-OWNED service so therefore when confronted with the correctly labelled goods P.Viridis, they ASKED for CERT. Of Origin and GOVT permissions.
As the plants used in Ayahuasca are RESTRICTED BY QUOTAS to make the economical sustainable to avert excessive jungle piracy.
Do NOT be afraid to ask to see permissions. Is another way to be assure you getting what you pay for.
MOST WILL NOT HAVE THEM only in the more developed areas like Iquitos or dedicated ayahuasca farms.
I do not know anyone in the Shipibo community who has them the poorer communities still cultivate and sell but rarely need the permissions as they themselves do not always chase the export market.
A lot is produced up river of Pucallpa and sold in the City to those who do not have the area to grow it.
Shipping powders requires LESS DOCUMENTATION eg. no phyto but POWDERS from PERU do not travel well. They “maybe slow” to arrive and pass through customs.
The faster option is get a phyto it is possible to also get a government Phyto for plants that look similar to the originals.
For example to avoid GOVT PERMISSIONS you can ship Ayahuasca Vine labelled as “Clavo Huasca” vine.
We recommend labelling the products under there original names for legal purposes but again it maybe a SLOW JOURNEY without a phyto.
Phytosanitary are only available on whole leaves which may require additional “dimensional weight” shipping cost.
Extracts can be approved by DIGEMID PERU (not 100% what is involved in that process just yet)
WAYS TO AVOID SCAMS ONLINE:
Be aware of YES MEN, people who say they “have everything”, if it sounds too good to be true…it likely is.
In Peru most people will “call a cat, a dog” if it means getting the sale.
The best way to FIND A REAL SELLER is to ASK for references or to see previous sendings.
Ask to see PRODUCT ON LIVE CHATS
Ask to see PRODUCTS with DATE in a photo.
Be aware of SELECTIVE SCAMMERS, these are people who build trust then burn you on the big one.
Do NOT ALWAYS TRUST WEBSITES from PERU.
Its by no means a GUARANTEE or QUALITY or SERVICE.
