US Customs Office and importing Persian or Iranian medals

[Markus]

It has come to my attention recently that the US Customs office has a strict import ban on anything Iranian. The medals in my shipment from a European dealer were very old Persia Lion and Sun medals made by European makers, but the dealer had listed Iran medals on the commercial invoice and that stopped the import dead In the water, held by customs. Hope I can resolve this situation. The FedX agent said even persian antiques that were made many years ago are banned from import. So buyers of Persian/ Iranian medals beware of import ban!

[Ulsterman]

Yikes!, Please do you know if OMSA knows this? Customs sends them back or confiscates them as contraband.......and later either destroys the stuff or sells it bulk auction lots.

[paul wood]

if you are buying orders and medals from overseas ask them not to put a description on the declaration but 9705000 which is the harmonised customs code for numismatic items (Orders and Medal fall under that category). Should get through without problem.

Paul

[Markus]

Thanks Paul & Ulsterman! Managed to receive my medals after convincing customs that the Persian medals had European makers. Learned valuable lessons on importing medals. Next time I will give the info for invoice included in package.

Markus