Did Customs Test my Mustard?

Appletart Upsetter · 21-01-2025 11:47PM #1

I ordered a jar of "Condiment" from Amazon.fr last week. It's a mustard I really like but only available in France as far as I'm aware.

It arrived today but appears that a large spoon of mustard has been removed from the jar, the seal is broken and the packaging looked like it was opened. There was no note to say that it had been inspected.

Essentially, I'll have to bin it as I've no idea who opened it, I assume customs. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Should I get my money back from Amazon?

JVince · 22-01-2025 02:22PM

Do you really think there are thousands of customs officials opening packages and tasting stuff???

Please say this was tongue in cheek.

#1 - MILLIONS of packages come into Ireland from abroad each week.

#2 - France is within the EU. There are no customs restriction or customs checks.

#3 - If your issue is true, contact the seller (Amazon) - just as you would if you have any issue with any product.

But don't be ridiculous thinking some mystery customs person chose your parcel and despite it not being subject to inspection as its with the EU, that they opened it and took a spoonful for their sandwich.

tony1kenobi · 22-01-2025 03:06PM

Probably wasn’t a spoon.

whiterebel · 22-01-2025 10:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123084568#Comment_123084568

Any shipment coming into Ireland may be checked by customs, EU or not. If they open it they will usually put tape on it to say so.

tphase · 22-01-2025 10:37PM

customs will always indicate if a package has been opened for examination

Appletart Upsetter · 23-01-2025 08:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123086866#Comment_123086866

I assumed this would be the case. However, there was no indication whatsoever on the packaging.

tphase · 23-01-2025 11:20AM

Complain to Amazon.

whiterebel · 23-01-2025 11:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123086866#Comment_123086866

Some customs from other jurisdictions may not be so good at sticking to the rules. French or UK customs for example….

JVince · 25-01-2025 06:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123086831#Comment_123086831

The chances of a tiny package from Amazon originating from France being opened or even inspected, is zero.

Amazon would be regarded as a trusted shipper. They also use their own transport to move stuff from France to Ireland and it effectively becomes a domestic package when handed to an post. (Hence the domestic an post address labels on Amazon packages)

Appletart Upsetter · 25-01-2025 09:15AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123097161#Comment_123097161

I assumed this would be the case also.

However, there is a very large spoon shaped void in the jar, which had no seal around the lid. The box it was shipped in appeared to have been forced open also.

It's just a jar of (very tasty) mustard, so no big deal. I'll try again and see if I have better luck next time.

WildCardDoW · 27-01-2025 05:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123097232#Comment_123097232

The much more likely answer is that someone purchased it from Amazon, took a spoon - didn't like it, returned it. Amazon resold it because they have gaps in their processes in handling returns at times.