Me smuggle, Amanda? You must be thinking of some other English Peter - there are so many of us.

Reaper - thanks for the reference. I'll call Henry Marsden on Monday.

Interesting question about educational material. I purchased a lot of books the last time I was in California and had then mailed down at the special rate the US postal service allows for printed material. I fully expected to pay duty on it but when there was none was told they did not charge duty on books. However, they did charge me $6.35 sales tax. No complaint from me there.

Whatsa matter Pedro1 - too old to go fast? :p

More than likely to fast to get old!

Books are supposed to come in duty free, but they will make you pay salest tax/duty on the postage.

I decided to forfeit the package and did nothing. It was delivered by DHL yesterday with a very small Customs charge added, ca 10%. Don't know what happened behind the scenes but I'm not complaining.

A further development. I brought is some other goods a little while ago, and out of 20 dive lamps purchased and allegedly shipped, 8 have gone missing. All the circumstances point to these having been taken after the boxes were delivered to Customs.

I was speaking to another operator recently who has also brought in goods, and he has also lost goods from the shipment in circumstances that point to Customs.

What can be done about what appears to be systematic stealing?

A shipment should be spiked with some hidden gps and see where they go.