Problem with DHL and HAL bag transfer after 73 day voyage

[kennicott]

We just got off of a 73 day cruise on Holland America's Prinsendam. One of the perks HAL provided, for our class, was unlimited baggage transfers back to your home via DHL. About three days before the voyage ended in Lisbon, HAL & DHL conducted classes in which they provided both written and verbal instruction, US Custom forms and packets involved in the rather intricate procedure DHL had established for handling the luggage. After completing all the forms and packing our bags, HAL made extra copies of the forms for the packets and double checked everything for error. Copies of our passports were included in each packet on each bag, as well.

We arrived home fine. A few days later DHL calls and tells us our bags are in quarantine and that we need to fill out a Customs' form that was never mentioned before. In addition, they want us to fax them a complete copy of our 2007 US Tax return Form 1040 so they can show Customs we have social security numbers and a tax paying relationship with the US. Apparently this provides proof for an “importer IRS number”. Of course this was all new to us and we aren’t about to send confidential tax information to person or persons unknown. It turns out that DHL has been involved in a running battle with US Customs and as a result they recently changed their procedure(s) dramatically. Apparently, HAL and DHL never coordinated the new procedures so passengers on the Prinsendam were grossly misled. Nobody in their right mind would ever have become involved in something as convoluted and chancy as defined by these new procedures for getting personal bags cleared by Customs under this new DHL/Customs scheme. They should have just got out of this business of transferring overseas luggage to domiciles, period, and not led people astray.

In our home city we have a large DHL and US Customs presence. We have suggested that they transfer our baggage to Customs here where we can meet with agents and bare our souls to their satisfaction. Failing at that why not just authorize a Customs agent here to meet with us and assure we are on the up and up. Have had numerous contacts with both HAL and DHL on this, both appear obstinate, they say they can’t accommodate us in this regard.

During some of the conversations the respective agents appeared to doubt my word about the procedures on board. I happened to keep a copy of the DHL/HAL written instructions, which I forwarded to all via email. The HAL rep. has been real quiet since then but it did get the DHL types stirred up, so that is how I found out about all the recent infighting between Customs and DHL.

At first we thought we were being singled out due some discrepancy or the other. Come to find out that is not the case, this new procedure applies to all.

As a result, our eight bags remain in quarantine and there is a good chance we have lost everything.

[Liv4cruzin]

This is the most absurd thing I've heard. I know this is terribly frustrating & time consuming for you. I sincerely hope you can work things out cause I'm sure there are things in those bags you would be sick to "lose". I was considering shipping my luggage home from an upcoming cruise from Copenhagen; but the logistics were daunting. I'm glad now I didn't. I wish you the best in clearing this up.

[O2B@C]

This sounds like the sort of thing your congressional representative's local constituent services office might be able to help out with - at least to the extent that the difficulty involves US Customs. Can't hurt to give them a call and explain the situation. Good luck! Thanks for posting the warning.

[kenish]

Agree you should contact your Congressperson. I'd show DHL your "Alaska State Income Tax Return" :D

Down here in LA, DHL has been using former March AFB as an air cargo port. Last week they announced they are closing operations at March and will contract carriage of most air cargo to UPS (who has a major hub at nearby ONT). Flights to ANC will continue but they will contract Polar Air Cargo to do it. I wonder if this is related to your situation?

http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Biz_D_web_dhl29.cee8c8.html

[localady]

We just got off of a 73 day cruise on Holland America's Prinsendam. One of the perks HAL provided, for our class, was unlimited baggage transfers back to your home via DHL. About three days before the voyage ended in Lisbon, HAL & DHL conducted classes in which they provided both written and verbal instruction, US Custom forms and packets involved in the rather intricate procedure DHL had established for handling the luggage. After completing all the forms and packing our bags, HAL made extra copies of the forms for the packets and double checked everything for error. Copies of our passports were included in each packet on each bag, as well.

We arrived home fine. A few days later DHL calls and tells us our bags are in quarantine and that we need to fill out a Customs' form that was never mentioned before. In addition, they want us to fax them a complete copy of our 2007 US Tax return Form 1040 so they can show Customs we have social security numbers and a tax paying relationship with the US. Apparently this provides proof for an “importer IRS number”. Of course this was all new to us and we aren’t about to send confidential tax information to person or persons unknown. It turns out that DHL has been involved in a running battle with US Customs and as a result they recently changed their procedure(s) dramatically. Apparently, HAL and DHL never coordinated the new procedures so passengers on the Prinsendam were grossly misled. Nobody in their right mind would ever have become involved in something as convoluted and chancy as defined by these new procedures for getting personal bags cleared by Customs under this new DHL/Customs scheme. They should have just got out of this business of transferring overseas luggage to domiciles, period, and not led people astray.

In our home city we have a large DHL and US Customs presence. We have suggested that they transfer our baggage to Customs here where we can meet with agents and bare our souls to their satisfaction. Failing at that why not just authorize a Customs agent here to meet with us and assure we are on the up and up. Have had numerous contacts with both HAL and DHL on this, both appear obstinate, they say they can’t accommodate us in this regard.

During some of the conversations the respective agents appeared to doubt my word about the procedures on board. I happened to keep a copy of the DHL/HAL written instructions, which I forwarded to all via email. The HAL rep. has been real quiet since then but it did get the DHL types stirred up, so that is how I found out about all the recent infighting between Customs and DHL.

At first we thought we were being singled out due some discrepancy or the other. Come to find out that is not the case, this new procedure applies to all.

As a result, our eight bags remain in quarantine and there is a good chance we have lost everything.

I sure hope this works out in the end.:o

But in the meantime, you need to make a list of everything you can remember being in those bags while it is still fresh in your memory and keep adding to that list as new things pop into your head. It sure sounds like someone owes you dearly if thru DHL/HAL instructions you lose 8 pieces of luggage and all content therein.:o

What a horrible way to end a trip of a lifetime.......

[Boatdrill]

This needs to go to the top...don't settle for the rep. - keep going up the food chain ! Contact the president of HAL if you must.

Or write the Ombudsman at Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Chances are if this is happening to you, it's happening, or will happen, to someone else.

[Harry1954]

Your Congressman/woman should be able to help in this with respect to getting Customs off their duffs ... that is about the only perk that comes from having such ...
harry

[Krazy Kruizers]

So sorry that your cruise has ended on a bad note. Definitely contact HAL and your Congressman(woman).

And keep us all informed here as to what happens.

[PennyAgain]

I'm so sorry!

Start on Monday with your Congress person's office. Lay it all out.

I agree about not sending a copy of your tax return!

That is stupid and dangerous!

There is a person who posts on CC under various topics (often on Alaska) called 'greatam' who is a professional at this sort of thing. It is what she does for a living. I would ask her.

[bepsf]

I'm at a loss for words - but I know I'd be absolutely infuriated.

I hope the OP wouldn't mind reporting back here and letting us know how this settles out?

[Destin Mom]

Yikes! We were planning to ship a bag or two home after we finished our cruise. Thank you so much for the warning as we were told to contact the world cruise department to find out how to go about arranging the shipping of our bag. Guess I will have to pack less or start lifting weights immediately. Best of luck tracking down your bags. I suspect you will get them back...and I would never fax my personal tax info. That is absolutely crazy. I thought a passport was proof of citizenship and with a passport, customs can easily verify your social security number- it was part of the whole application process. Crazy...again, good luck and welcome home!

[greatam]

We just got off of a 73 day cruise on Holland America's Prinsendam. One of the perks HAL provided, for our class, was unlimited baggage transfers back to your home via DHL. About three days before the voyage ended in Lisbon, HAL & DHL conducted classes in which they provided both written and verbal instruction, US Custom forms and packets involved in the rather intricate procedure DHL had established for handling the luggage. After completing all the forms and packing our bags, HAL made extra copies of the forms for the packets and double checked everything for error. Copies of our passports were included in each packet on each bag, as well.

We arrived home fine. A few days later DHL calls and tells us our bags are in quarantine and that we need to fill out a Customs' form that was never mentioned before. In addition, they want us to fax them a complete copy of our 2007 US Tax return Form 1040 so they can show Customs we have social security numbers and a tax paying relationship with the US. Apparently this provides proof for an “importer IRS number”. Of course this was all new to us and we aren’t about to send confidential tax information to person or persons unknown. It turns out that DHL has been involved in a running battle with US Customs and as a result they recently changed their procedure(s) dramatically. Apparently, HAL and DHL never coordinated the new procedures so passengers on the Prinsendam were grossly misled. Nobody in their right mind would ever have become involved in something as convoluted and chancy as defined by these new procedures for getting personal bags cleared by Customs under this new DHL/Customs scheme. They should have just got out of this business of transferring overseas luggage to domiciles, period, and not led people astray.

In our home city we have a large DHL and US Customs presence. We have suggested that they transfer our baggage to Customs here where we can meet with agents and bare our souls to their satisfaction. Failing at that why not just authorize a Customs agent here to meet with us and assure we are on the up and up. Have had numerous contacts with both HAL and DHL on this, both appear obstinate, they say they can’t accommodate us in this regard.

During some of the conversations the respective agents appeared to doubt my word about the procedures on board. I happened to keep a copy of the DHL/HAL written instructions, which I forwarded to all via email. The HAL rep. has been real quiet since then but it did get the DHL types stirred up, so that is how I found out about all the recent infighting between Customs and DHL.

At first we thought we were being singled out due some discrepancy or the other. Come to find out that is not the case, this new procedure applies to all.

As a result, our eight bags remain in quarantine and there is a good chance we have lost everything.

I will give this a stab, since import/export/international logistics is what I do for a living.

I know nothing about a long running battle between DHL and Customs (but I very rarely use DHL due to numerous past problems). However, I would assume that DHL did not request a complete manifest (items in the suitcases) NOR did they request you to mark on the Customs forms VERY clearly "USED CLOTHING-PERSONAL ITEMS-NOT FOR SALE"

The first place I would go is to the local Customs office (and you are correct, ANC has a large Customs presence). Phone calls probably won't work-you will have to physically go there. Take your passport, your cruise tickets, any documentation and all the emails between HAL, DHL and yourself. Maybe even a utility bill or something else showing an Alaska address.

Don't bother with DHL-they either can't or won't do anything. And HAL has really nothing to do with this.

You will have to deal with Customs directly. Or you can call one of many Customs brokers in ANC if you don't want to deal with it yourself (but this will cost you)

Ask them WHY your stuff is quarantined???? And where is your stuff (for my own curiosity and future help)??? And how to avoid this situation in the future????

Please let me know the answers to my inquiries ASAP. IF Customs does not respond favorably trying to unravel this snafu, please get back to me with where your bags are. I have a very good customs broker that I can probably ask a favor of (to look at the inbound import documentation, etc).

You may have to get your congressman involved. Senator is preferred-Stevens is on the Transportation and Commerce Committee, as well as subcommittees dealing with aviation and tourism.

But try dealing direct with Customs first. It is exactly what I would do if it was my product tied up in quarantine (and it has happened to our company before-generally due to insufficient/sloppy paperwork at origination).

Please let me know if I can be of further help.

[Mary Ellen]

WOW! All I can say is that I'm stunned, first by the huge problem that kennicott is facing and now by the wonderful offer to help by greatam. Kudos to greatam for his insight and help. I wish kennicott a successful solution - the return of their possessions.

[PennyAgain]

Greatam! Thanks so much! I know you wrote this posting between flights on a busy travel day.

Continued safe and happy travels to a fine lady!

[greatam]

Greatam! Thanks so much! I know you wrote this posting between flights on a busy travel day.

Continued safe and happy travels to a fine lady!

Thanks for your support. And you know my help is always freely offered.

Stupid me missed my flight to ANC. BS's in the AC with friends, on the phone and then went and took a shower. Just kind of spaced off the time. Both flights were on time.

Now will fly to LAX in a couple of hours, spend the night (my dime for being stupid), and fly Alaska in the morning. Will probably be better than trying to hassle rental car/hotel this evening.

Hope I can help this person.

[kennicott]

Thanks so much Greatam for any help you can provide here.

You had a number of questions, let me try to respond:

Question 1. “However, I would assume that DHL did not request a complete manifest (items in the suitcases) NOR did they request you to mark on the Customs forms VERY clearly "USED CLOTHING-PERSONAL ITEMS-NOT FOR SALE"

Answer: Actually, no to your assumption, we did complete all this stuff in detail for each bag, on US Custom forms, pursuant to DHL/HAL instruction. There was a very comprehensive procedure established for this baggage transfer. We received both written and oral direction from knowledgeable HAL or DHL employees brought aboard the ship for this purpose, (two ladies). (My wife thinks they were DHL but I’m pretty certain they were HAL employees, however, they might have been independent contractors.)

I still have a copy of the procedures but it is too lengthy for this post. In general, DHL provided five items. 1. DHL Packets with ties to be placed, one on each, suitcase. 2. A DHL waybill most which was already completed by HAL for us. 3. Copies of the pro-forma Invoices (US Custom forms but I’m not certain the number) 4.Forms titled: Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles (US Custom form 3299). 5. Forms titled: Commercial Invoice Form (US Custom form but not certain of the number).

The first two Custom forms, 3 &4, were to be placed only on bags of “used” clothing or shoes. Nothing else was to be in those bags. These forms required personal information as well as an itemized list of all items in each bag, value for each item as well as where the item was manufactured, then at the bottom you had to total up the value of stuff in the bag. After completion and packing they were duplicated and placed in the DHL pouch, on the respective bag, along with a copy of the waybill and my passport. We have four suitcases with these forms.

The third Custom form, 5, was to be completed for each bag containing “non-personal items” Non personal items included everything that you own other than used clothes or shoes. If you had new clothes still in the wrapper, they had to be in these bags. In addition, you could also place used clothes and shoes in these bags too. So, some on board just mixed everything and used these forms. These forms also had to list each item, whether new or used, estimated value, where made, total value for the bag on the bottom of the form. We have an additional four suitcases with these forms.

Question 2. Where are the eight suitcases now? Answer: I believe they are in Ohio, in a DHL lockup sanctioned by US Customs. See the blurb from the DHL rep. printed below.

Question 3. Long running dispute between DHL and Customs you haven’t heard of? See DHL rep. blurb below.

Suggestion 1. Meet with US Customs in Anchorage. I will take your advice and give this a try. I don’t look forward to that as I am not knowledgeable about US Custom procedures. However, in another life I was the Manager of Anchorage International Airport #1. I had extensive involvement with Customs in those days. I know how they think, or rather, more importantly, not think. Another story for another time.

Suggestion 2. Contact our Senator Ted Stevens. All my good friends and Cruise critic buddies seem to recommend this too. So I was preparing to do so tomorrow. However, you may or may not be aware of this, but Senator Stevens is 84, up for reelection this term against strong opponents, and he has a very full plate. Which is compounded by an extensive FBI investigation of him and his son. The hammer could fall at any time.

Under the circumstances, I think Senator Lisa Murkowski would be better. But she is not on the pertinent committees that Ted is.

Suggestion 3. “ Ask them WHY your stuff is quarantined???? And where is your stuff (for my own curiosity and future help)??? And how to avoid this situation in the future????”

Answer: They have pretty much answered that question. It is quarantined, DHL says, until they receive documentation sufficient that they can provide proof to the US Customs that we have Social Security numbers and “Importer IRS Numbers”. Proof for the SS# can be the front page of your 1040 form. Importer proof can be your form 1040 in its entirety. They have a list of not acceptable stuff, most they will recognize is your IRS documentation, for this proof. In addition they want us to complete form 3299. But we have already done so for four bags. It is like DHL refuses to even recognize the information already provided on each suitcase. Do they now want forms 3299 completed for the non-personal item bags, their written direction before said not to do this? Or what?. That is why this is so maddening.

How to avoid this in the future? That is an easy one. It will be a cold day in hell before we ever get close to a luggage forwarder again. Even if it is paid for as part of a cruise package. My wife tells me we just did our last cruise too. But she said that before.

We were on HAL for almost four total months this winter. Incidentally, this last one was one heck of a fine trip, except for this DHL stuff.

You are probably correct that HAL won’t do much. However, it is my opinion that they have a lot of culpability here. It was HAL who arranged all this, selected DHL, convinced us to take advantage of this so called free service and undoubtedly was totally involved in developing the luggage forwarding procedures used on board their ship. I can’t understand how they can walk away from this. So, as I previously explained, I worked for Alaska air transport industry and the state airport system up here for years & years. It is my experience that it is most difficult for a lone individual(s) to impress anything upon an obstinate bureaucracy like the US Custom Service. It takes a big hammer. HAL is the hammer in this case. Apparently DHL is a company in distress and Customs is making them jump through hoops.

Thanks again for all your help.

Here are the words of the DHL Rep. in the last email communication I received on Friday:
“understand your frustration with the required documentation to clear this shipment and I do apologize.
First, the requirement for proof of your federal tax ID # (SS #) is two fold. Here is a link to the US Customs official website that outlines their requirement to have this information:
http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=314&p_created=1043364938&p_sid=TfsR725j&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=351&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9MzYxLDM2MSZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY 9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfb mwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1pbXBvcnRpbmcgZ29 vZHM*&p_li=&p_topview=1
The requirement for proof is a DHL requirement as in the past DHL took our customer’s tax ID # information on good faith and presented them to US Customs. US Customs attempted to verify these numbers as being valid and correct and discovered many to be either fraudulent or inactive. US Customs levied heavy fines and penalties on DHL for providing false information to them and asked DHL to implement procedures to ensure what we provide to them is accurate and valid information. DHL upper management, after working closely with the US Customs officials, decided to require proof from our customers of their tax ID # information and worked with US Customs to create the attached list of acceptable proof.
Secondly, this shipment is considered “Unaccompanied Articles” or unaccompanied personal effects/luggage by US Customs. As such, the required documentation to clear the shipment is indeed the 3299 US Customs form (see attached).
I understand that remembering all items in the shipment may be difficult after the amount of time that has passed. Please just itemize everything to the best of your recollection, remembering to put the word “used” for those items that are not new.
My colleagues in Ohio are having the paperwork you completed and attached to the shipment pulled from the shipment and sent to our brokerage staff for review.
I will monitor for you to return to me the proof of your tax ID # (SS #) and the completed 3299 form. I will follow up with you again by 5pm PST on Monday June 2nd.”

[kennicott]

I forgot to mention that our DHL tracking number for this stuff is 8632804386 and, if we have trouble with DHL, we must contact HAL at 1-800-391-6254

These are the only contacts provided for us by HAL, which arranged all of this.

[Starr Mtn]

Just a thought, but perhaps it would be of help ?
Perhaps your tax preparer could send Customs a letter
confirming just your soc. sec. number ?

Truly sorry to hear of the dreadful circumstances you
are having to endure !

[CrystalLady]

I will give this a stab, since import/export/international logistics is what I do for a living.

I know nothing about a long running battle between DHL and Customs (but I very rarely use DHL due to numerous past problems). However, I would assume that DHL did not request a complete manifest (items in the suitcases) NOR did they request you to mark on the Customs forms VERY clearly "USED CLOTHING-PERSONAL ITEMS-NOT FOR SALE"

The first place I would go is to the local Customs office (and you are correct, ANC has a large Customs presence). Phone calls probably won't work-you will have to physically go there. Take your passport, your cruise tickets, any documentation and all the emails between HAL, DHL and yourself. Maybe even a utility bill or something else showing an Alaska address.

Don't bother with DHL-they either can't or won't do anything. And HAL has really nothing to do with this.

You will have to deal with Customs directly. Or you can call one of many Customs brokers in ANC if you don't want to deal with it yourself (but this will cost you)

Ask them WHY your stuff is quarantined???? And where is your stuff (for my own curiosity and future help)??? And how to avoid this situation in the future????

Please let me know the answers to my inquiries ASAP. IF Customs does not respond favorably trying to unravel this snafu, please get back to me with where your bags are. I have a very good customs broker that I can probably ask a favor of (to look at the inbound import documentation, etc).

You may have to get your congressman involved. Senator is preferred-Stevens is on the Transportation and Commerce Committee, as well as subcommittees dealing with aviation and tourism.

But try dealing direct with Customs first. It is exactly what I would do if it was my product tied up in quarantine (and it has happened to our company before-generally due to insufficient/sloppy paperwork at origination).

Please let me know if I can be of further help.

And my former business (for 42 years) having been Export Management - where we dealt with world-wide shipping on a daily basis (with the various required Forms) - allow me to second everything that greatam has recommended.

[Boatdrill]

You are probably correct that HAL won’t do much. However, it is my opinion that they have a lot of culpability here. It was HAL who arranged all this, selected DHL, convinced us to take advantage of this so called free service and undoubtedly was totally involved in developing the luggage forwarding procedures used on board their ship. I can’t understand how they can walk away from this.


Please keep in mind that you were a customer of HAL, and they have an obligation to help you in this situation.

HAL's business is customer service and satisfaction: with the heavy competition between cruiselines, HAL wants to know how they can improve their product, and keep their guests happy.

A generic representive from HAL is is not good enough.
Please take this to the higher ups.

Tell them the story and give them the opportunity to make it right.

By the way, HAL also uses DHL to forward luggage home that has been left behind at the pier by passengers after debarkation; HAL is a major client of DHL's. So there's another reason HAL deserves to know what happened, and how it's being handled by Customs and DHL.

[kri52]

I had a similar problem with DHL after the same cruise on Prinsendam. My call from customs in NYC said that portions of the form that DHL had marked "n/a" needed to be filled out before my bag could be released. If you read the form, DHL is actually correct as it referred to items bought abroad and brought to the U.S. which I did not have. Nonetheless I filled in their form and faxed it to customs on Wednesday, June 28th. My bag cleared customs the next morning and a call from DHL told me my bag would arrive before Friday afternoon at 5 pm. When it didn't arrive I called DHL again. The bag never left JFK. On Friday I was told it would go out over the weekend and would be delivered to me on the morning of Monday, June 3rd. When that didn't happen I called DHL yet again and was told I would be called again within 2 hours. That didn't happen, but a call did finallly come telling me that IF the bag left JFK on Tuesday the 4th I would have it on the 5th. Now it is to the point of them saying "if" it ships rather than it will definitely ship.

The pre-cruise shipping was done by FedEx and went off without a hitch. FedEx only handled post-cruise shipping for Canadian passengers.

[kri52]

With the help of HAL, DHL finally admitted they lost my luggage at JFK while it was sitting in their storage unit waiting to pass through customs. HAL is planning to file a claim on it. I'd rather have my clothes and shoes, and could have done without the books and stuffed animals they wouldn't let me ship.

[Hutch&Pat]

We were 'spared' -- DHL never picked up our luggage in advance of our first HAL trip as we had arranged for!
But I did give HAL credit for calling us in our stateroom shortly before sailing very concerned that our luggage which was being shipped hadn't arrived yet.
Pat

[greatam]

I forgot to mention that our DHL tracking number for this stuff is 8632804386 and, if we have trouble with DHL, we must contact HAL at 1-800-391-6254

These are the only contacts provided for us by HAL, which arranged all of this.

Have you made any progress????

I called our favorite customs broker who told me the DHL story. As I posted, I don't use DHL anymore-just too many problems since the buyout by Duetsche Post, as you are finding out.

DHL has been "skimming" the import Customs paperwork for about 3 years-sending quite a lot in under the "informal" entry procedures (which, as you know are for PERSONAL effects, not commercial imports). And they got caught repeatedly. So that is the reason for your paperwork problem.

My Customs broker told me to do EXACTLY what I told you to do-go to the Customs office in ANC, with ALL your paperwork, including maybe even a copy of your tax form, although a SS card or passport should suffice.

This shipment should have come in under informal entry (I ship a lot of my own stuff world wide when I travel for business and I always use informal). But because it is cheaper and easier to let one Customs broker take care of all the stuff that was on the plane at the same time, DHL chose to do formal entry. So Customs just wants to make sure that you are not an "importer" with tariffed products in your possession. And they are po'd at DHL because of the previous paperwork problems AND DHL continues to ship from the US to Cuba, Iran and North Korea. BECAUSE they are a German company, there are no embargoes for US shipments to Cuba. So who knows what technology gets sent places it shouldn't go. Another reason to po Customs.

And DHL has cut freight rates to the bare bones. They have not covered operating costs. They got a lot of air freight contracts in the USA ONLY because they cut freight rates. I am sure that is why HAL used them. It is also why Cunard uses them (I contacted Cunard a couple of years ago to see if I could get a piece of their luggage business. No way could our company compete).

And for the REALLY BAD news-
It was just announced about DHL regarding the USA:

After 5 years of mismanagement and huge losses, DHL announces they are turning over all of their freight hauling to their main competitor UPS leaving 6000 - 8000 local workers unemployed and devistating the local economy of Wilmington Ohio

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/business/worldbusiness/29dhl.html?ref=todayspaper


GET YOUR BUTT MOVING. Go to the airport-pick your past associates brains. Someone you know somewhere will help you out, ESPECIALLY since you managed the airport. I am sure you know more people in Customs in ANC than I do. Good luck

[AWED23]

I have 4 bags sitting in Ohio. The 2 ladys on board were from HAL. They work in Vancouver normally. Shore side operations........I have been up and down the food chain on this and I seem to be getting the most help from cruise Specialts here in Seattle....They now have the director of shore side operations in on it and if I am to believe what I have been told then my 4 bags were selected at random and I am the only one who has had to endure this !!!!! Yeah sure...........

[AWED23]

Kennicott......I just got the word that my bags cleared at 6:45 AM EDT and will be shipped tonight. I should receive them here on the Island, Monday.....Rob. I hope yours cleared as well.:mad:

[AWED23]

I forgot to mention that our DHL tracking number for this stuff is 8632804386 and, if we have trouble with DHL, we must contact HAL at 1-800-391-6254

These are the only contacts provided for us by HAL, which arranged all of this. I see your bags are now in transit.....Mine will not ship until tonight, 6/6.....Oh well.........

[the2ofus]

It is really interesting, our local papers are running articles about how dreadful it will be for the area communities because of the loss of jobs at the DHL handling facility in Wilmington when their contract with UPS takes effect. There is no mention in our papers at all about DHL having run afoul of US Customs. Wonder how long it will take that info to surface. Right now its all about saving jobs.

[greatam]

It is really interesting, our local papers are running articles about how dreadful it will be for the area communities because of the loss of jobs at the DHL handling facility in Wilmington when their contract with UPS takes effect. There is no mention in our papers at all about DHL having run afoul of US Customs. Wonder how long it will take that info to surface. Right now its all about saving jobs.

The Customs paperwork problem has been ongoing for at least three years, according to our Customs broker. Supposedly, DHL agreed to require the correct paperwork, which resulted in the overkill and the OP's problem. It would have nothing to do with the UPS/DHL deal. UPS has their own in house brokerage dept. DHL outsourced theirs, so the problem should never re-surface. And wouldn't make much of a story for something that happened in the past.

It's a shame about all the jobs. UPS most likely will not absorb many of DHL's old employees. I know in Phoenix, Kansas City and NYC, the DHL offices (other than the Duetsch Poste offices) are just being shut down.

[kennicott]

Many thanks to those of you who may have helped us here. Things were pretty dicey a little over three weeks ago. I delayed my regular trip into my Alaska bush country retreat for about a week just because of this baggage snafu. Finally we decided to let things go, if our bags were gone, so be it. But just before I departed, DHL appeared to get off the kick of wanting our 2007 1040 tax info and wanted a simple letter stating we did not want to sell the new stuff in our bags and that they were gifts for our kids. I responded via email along with a couple of other minor pieces of info they wanted. So, at that time, I conjectured that maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel. (I’m back in town now for a couple of days so am just catching up on all of this)

A few days later, our friend, who was taking care of our house all winter when we were on HAL, heard a knock on the door. Behold, there was the eight bags.

Now, I’m not certain what happened here or who was to blame, but I do know now that HAL obviously had a deal worked out with DHL for baggage transfers where US Customs procedures were cranked in. Apparently, a glitch occurred whereby Customs dumped on DHL and the two came up with some new extremely convoluted procedures and requirements for those involved in forwarding their bags back into the US. Unfortunately, neither party coordinated this with HAL. So the HAL agents on board the Prinsendam went blissfully on their way advising all of us in accord with obsolete past procedure.

If HAL knew of these new transfer developments, I’m certain they would never have continued on with this perk. And if they had, and if they presented those new requirements to us beforehand, as DHL did after the fact, when we were trying to get our bags out of the DHL/US Customs “Black Hole”, then, I’m certain, no cruise passenger, in their right mind, would ever have considered becoming involved in something like this.

Recommendations: Times are changing, even on the long cruises, don’t take much, and don’t buy much, unless the merchant can ship it back to the states for you. Pack light. Take only carry on and checked luggage, if you have to pay extra for checked luggage, do it. The days of dressing in our best on the ship are gone. Forget the all the formal and fun dinner attire we used to pack.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for reporting in!!

I am so glad to hear that you got all your luggage back!!

[sail7seas]

I'm so happy to hear you finally have your bags.
Thank you for coming back to let us know. I was thinking about this and hoped we'd hear happy news from you.

I agree that packing for cruises is undergoing dramatic changes by many of us. It has become too difficult to carry along with us all the things we used to bring.

Thanks for sharing this story. It has been a lesson.

[arzz]

Thank you so much for providing an ending to your story, and a happy ending at that:D. I truly hate the OP's who start threads that never get back to us with the resolution, or lack thereof, of their issues. I am still, however, very sorry that you were without your "stuff" for so long as that type of inconvenience should have never occurred.

I, too, agree that there is a change in the winds of how people dress on board. The impetus is not coming from the cruise industry, but is being imposed upon the industry as a consequence of new airline policies that have resulted from the recent increases in fuel cost. To be honest the popularity of formal nights has been waning among a significant portion of the cruising public but IMHO the airlines have just nailed the formal night coffin shut. It becomes less and less practical to drag huge amounts of clothing back and forth even with free shipping for a Grand Cruise. This is a big change, and to many will be viewed as a loss.

[Mary Ellen]

Thank you for posting. Just last night as I was packing, I wondered whatever happened to your bags. It is wonderful that they finally arrived.