Tightened Security Or Random Examination?

This package took a long while to arrive here

You guys may have to change your names to John Smith and Jack Brown to escape such scrutiny in the future. My understanding is that DHS can open anyone's mail, any time, any place, without a warrant, and merely claim it was an issue of "national security...," and can also destroy letters or packages with certain as yet unspecified chemical signatures.

The package was opened by U.S. Customs. Anything entering the USA is allowed to opened WITHOUT warrant it is covered by Federal Law. You'll find all countries have CUSTOMS agents.

The fact that the package is clearly marked from "Farmasi Medivita", a Pharmacy, would make then package segregated for immediate opening by CUSTOMS for unlicensed drug import. Your lucky the package wasn't seized and refused entry. Oh, by the way, services like DHL, FedEx, etc., have U.S. Customs Agents on site. ANything that enters the US is subject to search, just not every package is searched.

Before the 911/DHS era - I used to trade audio tapes all over the world - I'd get international mail opened and resealed like that once in a while.

I assumed that the inspectors were looking for drugs.

I just had same thing with Canada customs- They opened a large stamp packet yet didn't bother with a couple swords. Basically your package and mine would look to be about a kilo of drugs so they will check. The fact it came from a pharmacy is a big red flag.

I finally notice that it is a (registered) parcel from Malaysia. My point was more that even mail traveling only within the United States can be detained and examined by the Department of Homeland Security, nothing to do with Customs in that situation.

And I suspect DHS rules and regulations take precedence over Customs'.

I'm not 100% sure, but customs & Border Patrol fall under DHS here in the US.

I participate in a stamp exchange on another forum and the last letter I sent to Australia was opened by Australia Customs and resealed with tape ruining a batch of stamps I used on the cover. I went to the trouble of getting the envelope hand-cancelled but it was all for naught. Are there any tips to prevent this sort of thing from happening? Is there a label you can put on the envelope which will cause them to be more careful without causing other problems like theft, etc.?

In March 2003, it was rolled into form part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The United States Customs Service had three major missions: collecting tariff revenue, protecting the U.S. economy from smuggling and illegal goods, and processing people and goods at ports of entry.

Last year I received a package from Davo in the Netherlands; a stamp album. It had the green Home Security tape on it. Two months ago I received another, similat package, also from Davo and it was unopened! So it probably is more or less random.

Peter