MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Yokohama customs agency recently seized several packages and have been holding them at the Fleet Mail Center because of prohibited items found in a number of packages.
Most packages originated from Osan, Korea, during the noncombatant evacuation operation exercise April 7 with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan as a final destination.
"Customs conducts random inspections on mail coming into Japan," said Master Sgt. Crawford Wheeler, Station postal officer. "During inspections of packages from Korea, a variety of counterfeit copyright items were found. When so many prohibited items were found in the small percent that were checked, it prompted them to check more packages."
For those that had no prohibited items in their packages, they have nothing to worry about, added Wheeler.
Korea is titled by most as a good place to shop for cheap prices on what would normally be high priced in countries throughout the world.
"We did not know that we would not be able to mail purses and things of that nature," said Melissa Trent, NEO participant. "When we were there, we were told not to buy wood, knives and other items. Besides that, we didn't know that we could not send trademark items through the mailing system."
Station members that unknowingly tried to mail prohibited items to Iwakuni have nothing to worry about, but do have a decision to make.
"Customs has to ratify with the addressee a letter of disposition with instructions on what participants want customs to do with their items," said Wheeler.
The best choice, which will cause fewer problems, is to elect to have all prohibited items abandoned. Meaning, customs will take out all prohibited item and destroy them. Then the box will be sealed back up and sent to final destination.
Another option available is to render all the items unserviceable, said Wheeler. This will consist of removing all logos or brand names from each item and sending what's left over. This process will also take a lot of time before receiving each package.
The last alternative available is to show a certificate of authenticity.
"If you have a certificate from the vendor stating that what you bought is indeed is authentic, then all the contents in your package will be delivered," said Wheeler.
It is imperative that once the letters of disposition are mailed and received a response is quickly provided to prevent lagging the whole mail processing system.
"The prohibited items that are destroyed can not be claimed against the government," said Wheeler.
"Do not buy illegal items if you plan on mailing them," said Wheeler. "When mailing items and filling out the customs declaration form, be detailed in describing what is in the package. Most importantly, when filling out the declarations form, do not lie about the contents of the package. The declaration form is a government form and can be used against you in the court of law."