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Three boxes of CC's from a preferred vendor in the mail had been tied up in New York since 7/24. I received them today. Postman wanted a signature. Unusual. Odd yellow sticker on the box "Customs ATS Hold". When I saw the sticker on the box I thought the cigars were confiscated. After providing my John Hancock...the box felt heavy...so I was relieved. I opened box #1 and the cigars were disheveled. Wrappers and cracks.  Box # 2 and # 3 the same.

After further inspection, each and every cigar was intentionally sliced with a knife. The slices were vertical meaning each the cigars were sliced one by one and repacked.

I have not seen this before. Maybe it common today. The cigars looked and smelled awesome..other than being slashed.

I wish they just confiscated them. I felt violated seeing what they did to them. Anyone else with a similar experience?

I have read about this happening on another board and maybe even on this one a couple of years ago. I have lost some to customs but have never had any sent to me after intentional damage. It doesn't help that some of the preferred vendors put what's really inside the package on the customs tag.

[quote author=smll2 link=topic=48440.msg190643#msg190643 date=1565400913]
Three boxes of CC's from a preferred vendor in the mail had been tied up in New York since 7/24. I received them today. Postman wanted a signature. Unusual. Odd yellow sticker on the box "Customs ATS Hold". When I saw the sticker on the box I thought the cigars were confiscated. After providing my John Hancock...the box felt heavy...so I was relieved. I opened box #1 and the cigars were disheveled. Wrappers and cracks.  Box # 2 and # 3 the same.

After further inspection, each and every cigar was intentionally sliced with a knife. The slices were vertical meaning each the cigars were sliced one by one and repacked.

I have not seen this before. Maybe it common today. The cigars looked and smelled awesome..other than being slashed.

I wish they just confiscated them. I felt violated seeing what they did to them. Anyone else with a similar experience?


[/quote]

What country shipped the cigars to you? Oz?  Spain?  Just curious if this is a trend for packages from specific vendors. Thx.

[quote author=H Upmann link=topic=48440.msg190644#msg190644 date=1565406009]
I have read about this happening on another board and maybe even on this one a couple of years ago. I have lost some to customs but have never had any sent to me after intentional damage. It doesn't help that some of the preferred vendors put what's really inside the package on the customs tag.
[/quote]

Most vendors these days have to do it or risk heavy fines or even loss of their license for mis-declaring contents.

[quote author=Lotusguy link=topic=48440.msg190650#msg190650 date=1565454044]
Most vendors these days have to do it or risk heavy fines or even loss of their license for mis-declaring contents.
[/quote]Where they run into trouble is when shipping from a duty free warehouse if not properly labeled.

Someone at customs was having a bad day.

Couple of years ago, I ordered an expensive box from a reputable H&F retailer. I have dealt with this retailer many times without a problem. When I received the package, it was light, and it was opened and resealed. Inside, there was a Davidoff 5 cigars sampler. It was not what I ordered. I contacted the retailer, and they told me that they don't sell Davidoff and I was sent the correct box. I believe the retailer. Something happened during transit. I just can't make sense of it.

[quote author=vinnyvega link=topic=48440.msg190666#msg190666 date=1565548855]
Someone at customs was having a bad day.
[/quote]

...this. This is a whole other level.

I used to read about people getting sliced up cigars from time to time 20 yrs ago, esp when they cleared though New York. 

I have heard of a couple stories per year... but only saw evidence of this type of destruction 1 time.  Its probably the same postal worker or customs official.  Easier to destroy the cigars and tape them back up and send them on then to deal with filing a confiscation claim and sending a letter to both parties.