Anybody experiencing customs delay?

Back in October 2009 when I had major transmission problems with my 10-year-old non-BMW car I finally decided it was time to buy a new one. I was not excited at the prospect and starting the hard work of clicking through web sites. I stumbled onto the BMW European Delivery option by accident and though it was too good to be true. A lower price AND a chance to drive in Germany? I knew right away this was the car/option for me. I searched around for dealers (the local dealer wouldn't budge off ED retail price) and placed my order for a 328i for delivery in January. I was nervous about the middle of winter driving conditions and decided to rent the snow tires. I packed up my GPS navigator and about 25 lbs. of camera gear along with boots, gloves, hats etc. and headed to Munich. The trip was great, the delivery process was great, the factory tour was awesome. The snow tire rental place was great, they got me in and out with expected German efficiency. I stayed in southern Bavaria after leaving Munich and explored the German Alps. I dropped my car off with a heavy heart but knew that the day would come when I'd relive the thrill of delivery. Well, over 8 weeks has passed since I dropped the car off and I'm still waiting. The dealer said that US customs had (or still has) the car on hold. Now I'm about the make the 3rd payment and still no 328. Apparently customs does what customs wants. It's a shame that the wonderful experience has been tainted by this delay, this is now what I'll remember the most. Has anyone ever heard of such a situation?

Others can chime in, but it sounds like your car might be going through an intensive audit. Sorry to hear about the delays, but I'll bet you get the car very soon. Out of curiosity, did you participate in the 12 hour rule on the forum?

I never thought I'd say this as I am basically not a nasty person, but...do I detect a 12-hour-rule violation at work?

You may be able to partially redeem the situation by posting photos ASAP. Beter late than never.

Originally Posted by b-y

I never thought I'd say this as I am basically not a nasty person, but...do I detect a 12-hour-rule violation at work?

He might not have known about the rule or Bimmerfest before taking delivery though.

To the OP, in general, U.S. customs has been pretty speed in the past few months. My car cleared within 48 hours of reaching port at the end of January this year.

Mine cleared pretty quick as well. Did you, by chance, fill your trunk with Cuban cigars?

Originally Posted by the J-Man

Others can chime in, but it sounds like your car might be going through an intensive audit. Sorry to hear about the delays, but I'll bet you get the car very soon. Out of curiosity, did you participate in the 12 hour rule on the forum?

Sounds like it to me also. A Customs intensive audit can add a few weeks to the delivery process.

I posted a couple of pictures in an album attached to my profile. I wasn't sure where to put them...

I read about the 12-hour rule, but I wasn't sure exactly where to post the pictures so I created a photo album on my profile. Is there a more appropriate place? As far as the cigars go, I guess I would have if I had known it was going to take this long anyway. I guess I'm glad that the car didn't get crushed, or that customs agents aren't cruising around town in it. Does anyone have information on what this intensive audit is? My CA (Irv from Motorwerks) said he never had a car in this situation. Call me lucky.

Originally Posted by Captain Duke

I read about the 12-hour rule, but I wasn't sure exactly where to post the pictures so I created a photo album on my profile. Is there a more appropriate place? .

Most (if not almost all) people start a new thread within 12 hours of delivery, appropriately titled, and put the pictures there.

My first car was through customs in 2 days. Last year it sat there for 14!!!!!!! It was quite frustrating to say the least. And, I think the wait is bad, but the miserable meter of the wait gets that much worse after you know the car is off the boat and you are expecting it at the dealer every day only to learn its still sitting in customs. At least while you are tracking the boat you have a finite wait that you can deal with.

I agree about the tracking process, that was fun watching the ship arrive and depart and even seeing pictures of the ship at the shipping company's web site. Alas, the fun stopped when my car was unloaded on 18-Feb, over 4 weeks ago. It's the random aspect of the whole inspection process that makes me angry. Random traffic stops and house searches aren't legal, but somehow this is. I wonder how many people would tolerate the situation if they traveled with their car on the ship and were told that they were picked at random, and had to leave the car for a lengthy inspection process. I imagine the uproar would cause rules to change. I now love US Customs as much as I love the IRS. I think I'll move to Germany and bypass the whole shipping process.

Originally Posted by Captain Duke

I agree about the tracking process, that was fun watching the ship arrive and depart and even seeing pictures of the ship at the shipping company's web site. Alas, the fun stopped when my car was unloaded on 18-Feb, over 4 weeks ago. It's the random aspect of the whole inspection process that makes me angry. Random traffic stops and house searches aren't legal, but somehow this is. I wonder how many people would tolerate the situation if they traveled with their car on the ship and were told that they were picked at random, and had to leave the car for a lengthy inspection process. I imagine the uproar would cause rules to change. I now love US Customs as much as I love the IRS. I think I'll move to Germany and bypass the whole shipping process.

I would suggest that you call the BMW NA e.d. department directly as they can check with your customs broker at Harms.