Hey,
This is purely out of curiosity.
I ordered an electrical component from Aliexpress, it arrived today and it had been opened and had a sticker saying it had been inspected by NZ customs.
The address label says it came from Malaysia. Any ideas why a product going from Malaysia to Perth would go via NZ and why NZ customs would open a product destined for Australia?
Thanks!
Thanks for the reply. Just seems odd to me that it would go via NZ when there are so many flights between Perth and Malaysia and that the NZ tax payer bears the cost of inspection for a $2 part. Do we do the same for parcels transiting via Australia?
Altomic is right - you will often see stuff from China directed through Netherlands which makes no sense to the consumer but is way cheaper for suppliers.
I've done mail-outs where the mail house shipped a large box to Sweden and then sent individual envelopes back to Australia.
It's just one of those "well, ok then" things. (Saving money is nice though.)
PostNL is the worst. I'm glad most Chinese sellers are starting to ditch them in favour of better carriers that don't route through NL.
Guaranteed that most people who spoke about orders taking months have been shipped with them.
aliexpress sellers will use the cheapest postal service possible. e.g. I've had Danish Post used for some items.
NZ customs may open it because it has arrived in NZ. simple as that. NZ quarantine is as strict as Australia's.
doesn't strike me as odd at all.