11 ms·
A lot of packages I receive from overseas are stamped with words to the effect of "Package may be opened and inspected" which is probably directly related to th
by ksaj 7y ago
A lot of packages I receive from overseas are stamped with words to the effect of "Package may be opened and inspected" which is probably directly related to this clause, and also negating the need to get permission from the foreign courts. I'm guessing that is to speed things up in case they do want to inspect it.
Likewise, I've received one package that was opened and inspected. It came in a clear plastic bag along with a very short note stating that it had been inspected in accordance to <whatever laws they were>.
Senders probably don't usually stamp that on illegal shipments, and the post surely doesn't drop in a polite notification if they discover something illegal in there.
- iudqnolq 7y agoThe Constitution in general protects much less when the borders are involved. I meant to say that the US government can open any mail it feels like if that mail isn't a first class letter, without needing permission from a judge. Additionally, even first class letters aren't protected if they cross the border; the government can inspect anything it feels like that crosses a border without needing permission from any judge. Unless someone forged the notice (unlikely, as you point out) some government opened it (it could also have been the government of the sender or any transit country). All those notices are the government voluntarily letting you know because someone in the government thought it would be better; if the FBI wanted to open a package because they vaguely suspected terrorism they could do it without needing to stamp the package or give any notice if they wanted.