Mihec mold seizures

[Ateam]

Came across this in another thread, it seems his molds are being seized by customs in Chicago. Does anyone have any more info on this? I was considering an order soon, but not if I could loose it with no recourse.
Do all mihecs molds go through Chicago? How are they marked/declared, something that is drawing attention? Would be nice to hear from anyone who has had a mold seized, and if they got an explanation from customs.

the other thread (didn't want to derail the original topic)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?420907-Mihec-shipping-time&p=5141035#post5141035

[StuBach]

My molds have always gone through Chicago as far as I know and I’ve never had an issue. Last one I got was probably in November though. Nothing I’m aware of would cause that to flag it to customs. I’d be surprised if this was more than just a one off issue that some one person had.

I’m no expert in the law but I don’t know if any legal cause/reason customs would have to seize these kinds of packages. I know there are export laws that can impact sending ammunition style supplies but I’ve never heard of any that limit import of tools like this. I know I did have one stopped and inspected a few years ago which delayed the arrival a week or so but it did get to me eventually.

I’d reach out to Miha and ask him directly if this has happened. If it is happening I’m sure he’s been alerted.

[farmbif]

those are the same people that seized the brass that was shipped to me from Sweden, go figure. do a bunch of do gooders work there?

[StuBach]

those are the same people that seized the brass that was shipped to me from Sweden, go figure. do a bunch of do gooders work there?

Keep in mind it is Chicago, where they have some of the strictest gun laws around so people there might be “sensitive”. That shouldn’t impact legal process though when it pertains to merchandise moving through not do they restrict tools of this nature to my knowledge.

[Lakehouse2012]

Hi Guys,

Dimner clued me in on this thread, thanks to him!

I spoke with Miha on Monday about this issue, he sent me the bill of laden from a recent issue. Looking at it I think it has to do with the wording on the item description, using 9mm or 44mag is drawing unwanted attention. Additionally, Chicago is a "gun-free" zone, so anything is bound to setoff alarm bells there.

So, he's working on the following:

1) Test shipping while continue to use DHL to me, a box with no buzz words and nothing inside it that is related.
2) getting quotes together from UPS and FedEx to start all shipping through alternate methods, he hopes to have this solved within a week.

The Fedex is nice cause there is 1 central hub in Memphis which is very gun friendly, I'm hoping this works out best, cause UPS has their issues also like DHL.

I'll update when I receive box and get an update from Miha.

[bdicki]

I read something about that on AR15.com

[Handloader109]

He should only use casting mold steel, aluminum, or brass, no gun or caliber descriptions no need. customs does not need further description.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[rockrat]

Or put "machined aluminum/steel" on the box.

[Eddie17]

If I may ask, does this effect the group buy (Active - RERUN -Mihec 359640 158gr HP or 170gr Solid Dual Crimp Groove).
It’s been a while waiting for this one. Any updates would be appreciated.
Thanks, Ed

[Lakehouse2012]

If I may ask, does this effect the group buy (Active - RERUN -Mihec 359640 158gr HP or 170gr Solid Dual Crimp Groove).
It’s been a while waiting for this one. Any updates would be appreciated.
Thanks, Ed

No, wont affect GB's after he works through the shipping process within the next week

[kayala]

Received mine couple days ago, no problem.

Edit to clarify: received mine that was in stock, not from GB.

[Eddie17]

Thank you

[GONRA]

GONRA remember gun goodies shipped as "scrap steel",
1000 rd. crates of 7.62x51mm NATO ammo shipped as "electrical equipment"
loong ago....


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[NyFirefighter357]

I did some snooping around. What I found was those molds may be being confiscated because they are not marked as bullet molds. Customs can seize anything that is miss represented. If it's sent as tools which it a very broad description, a stringent inspector who flagged one and seized it as misrepresented would now know what to look for the next time. It might even be in a data base in Chicago that red flags shipments form MP. He might be better off just listing the shipments as casting moulds or even sinker molds no one would know the difference.

[Ateam]

Thanks for the clarification Lakehouse, I am glad to hear it is being sorted out. He may put the diameter of the mold (ie .360 instead of a cartridge name) on the manifest, would be even more accurate description and not misleading.

[elginrunner]

I read something about that on AR15.com

that thread was from me.... Miha refunded my money, so we are good. However, I find it very interesting that I still do not have a letter from customs telling me why the package was siezed. Call me cynical, but I believe there are inspectors that seize what ever they find interesting.. I believe that customs auctions off seized goods .... or maybe it just found its way into a lunchbox....

[osteodoc08]

Mine always said “hand tools” on the declaration for mine

[frkelly74]

I got my check maker from Gamsek in Slovenia very quickly. I think most would not know it was gun related though.

[oley55]

Somehow it seems somewhat unAmerican to be in a position where US Customs can seize whatever and not have any recourse to question or challenge the seizure. A sign of our times I guess.

In the mean while, I guess my purchase will have to sit in my cart (until the item is sold out I guess). :sad:

[AggieEE]

Semi off topic but still relevant. I had a large shipment of spare parts from Germany arrive at customs in Houston, TX right before Christmas. Because the customs numbers Germany used was 8 digits long, which worked for years, instead of 10 digits customs held it up while Germany got the paperwork straight. I finally got my parts the first week in Feb. just in time for the big freeze. Sometimes I think that the inspector lets the shipment sit there and stares at it trying to find something wrong. It's the "I know you're guilty of something I just haven't figured out of what yet."

[MaryB]

Chicago customs is notorious for having packages go "missing". I have one that stalled there Feb 21st. Calling them is a waste of time as is calling USPS. They don't care.

[wrench]

I ordered two molds from mihec on sunday night, 3/7, and DHL dropped it off at my door wednesday afternoon, 3/10.
Couldn't have gotten it faster from a domestic source.
So some molds at least are getting through...

[dverna]

Mine always said “hand tools” on the declaration for mine

This is correct. Mine were labelled that way when I was buying molds a couple of years ago. If customs "wised up", they may be trying to teach someone a lesson.

[Dimner]

Mine said "aluminum mold and Handles" (which is exactly what I purchased)

Last year, the 2 that made it through perfectly were "Brass Mold" (bought 2 brass ones last year) I don't think there is any fudging in his documentation that I have seen on shipments to me.

[jim147]

The title of this thread always makes me think of lack of lube.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

The molds I have gotten from MiHec were all labeled Hand Tools on the package.

[tinsnips]

Mihek should set a a shop in China there won't be any shipping problems then.

[Cargo]

Might want to use the words "casting mould, "material it's made of, mould # and add S or H for solid or hp as a prefix for the mould #. As long as it's not prohibited from import and not being misrepresented it shouldn't raise flags or cause delays.

But now that they have gotten attention it may continue being an issue. If I had any type of firearm related business there's no way I'd be routing through an overtly anti firearm city or state.

[nvbirdman]

In all this discussion the thing that stands out is that the customs people (your government working for you) don't know what is or is not allowed.

[Plate plinker]

Naturally gobernmint bureaucracy coupled with incompetent worker drones. What is not unusual about this? Add in Chitcago thievery and it is a wonder anything makes out of there intact.

[oley55]

Hi Guys,

Dimner clued me in on this thread, thanks to him!

I spoke with Miha on Monday about this issue, he sent me the bill of laden from a recent issue. Looking at it I think it has to do with the wording on the item description, using 9mm or 44mag is drawing unwanted attention. Additionally, Chicago is a "gun-free" zone, so anything is bound to setoff alarm bells there.

So, he's working on the following:

1) Test shipping while continue to use DHL to me, a box with no buzz words and nothing inside it that is related.
2) getting quotes together from UPS and FedEx to start all shipping through alternate methods, he hopes to have this solved within a week.

The Fedex is nice cause there is 1 central hub in Memphis which is very gun friendly, I'm hoping this works out best, cause UPS has their issues also like DHL.

I'll update when I receive box and get an update from Miha.

Lakehouse, any new information?

[white eagle]

the last mold I got from Miha never showed up
months passed and I did all I could to track it
hung up in customs
sent e-mail to Miha and he to his credit sent another one
and that one made it so I guess its a crap shoot if they make it or not
now this just started to happen with Miha's molds before I never had a lick of trouble
with getting molds from him
thats a shame to because his are some of the very best

[Lakehouse2012]

Hi Guys,

I spoke with Miha Tuesday. He has almost got the contracts finished with UPS & FedEx, hoping for this weeks end. :guntootsmiley: Fingers crossed that shipments will start back up early next week.


Lakehouse, any new information?

[Mr Peabody]

I ordered on Sunday, got it Yesterday. DHL delivered this one same as the others FAST.

[Lakehouse2012]

Miha has a contract in place with UPS now and is back on track for shipping molds. The price might increase when using UPS vs DHL but if you live in an area where DHL's port entrance is out of Chicago, you will be much further ahead to stay away from DHL when shipping.