from my experience with shipments that went thru customs and been searched for banned goods i learned these things:
if it was private:
- there might be small stickers on the outside (Might)
- to close it off they have to use custom tape but they usually use only normal tape.
- they often "confiscate" small non banned items as candy, tools or similar and don't list them (guess the one or other grows "free" seeds as well)
- normally no letter, address or anything else that might help to get stuff back
- if you get a letter it comes weeks after the search from a customs attorney
- take your lawyer along!!! Never meet any LEO without your lawyer!!!Never answer any questions, besides your name, without a lawyer!!! If you can not afford one they have to give you one for free
- you could get help also from NORML and their lawyers number
- Have your own lawyer's nubmer in wallet!!!
- NORML or similar NGOs can give you names and addresses of specialized lawyers they know to good at the subject - so contact them before you do anything illegal to have a number in case of an rainy day
Commercial shipments:
- get a letter along with a complete list of all seized property
- you will be called before the free the shipment
- all rules are normally followed
- they are pretty friendly if it is nothing "major"
- they will get you a fine but that it then
General stuff to shipping contraband stuff:
- if it is small ship it in a huge box so it is harder to find, ship something bulky but light weight along as plastic toys
- don't use the same path twice in a row!
- try to have not too many international shipments to a single private address or be soon a victim of the "Patriot Act"
- if you got many internationals coming in watch out that they not come from only one foreign nation nor from one that is under special watch for "terror activities"
- make em appear private, so no business addresses!
- avoid shipping stuff to friends to save them from conspiracy charges! (also can save your butt as LEO could find a address list and start going from door to door, HAPPENS!)