U.S.Treasury letter of warning

[doblemaduro]

Plead the 5th Vince and have them listen to past Podcasts of Blowin Smoke! They'll know after listening to the episodes you grace us with your presence on that you're too valuable to our free market system to be locked up. Hang in there Bro!

[Lighthouse]

Originally Posted by doblemaduro

With that beard Vince, you do look a lot like Fidel!

You may be on to something Joel!

[hiway_87]

great stuff. our tax dollars at work. tell them to come find the evidence and prove it!!!!

[BengalMan-cl]

Guys, there are a couple things here. 1st, the Hong Kong source that is being spoken of here has been flagged for some time now. MANY people that have ordered from them have been getting letters, almost all have been receiving them this past year or so and all have been in reference to purchases made in 2005. Some of these people have gotten off scott free and some have paid very hefty fines (over $10,000). I'm not saying this to scare anyone, but it is the reality of the situation with these letters. There are two letters, one from the US Treasury Dept. and one from Customs. Each letter usually has a completely different meaning.

[JoeyBear]

Originally Posted by BengalMan

Guys, there are a couple things here. 1st, the Hong Kong source that is being spoken of here has been flagged for some time now. MANY people that have ordered from them have been getting letters, almost all have been receiving them this past year or so and all have been in reference to purchases made in 2005. Some of these people have gotten off scott free and some have paid very hefty fines (over $10,000). I'm not saying this to scare anyone, but it is the reality of the situation with these letters. There are two letters, one from the US Treasury Dept. and one from Customs. Each letter usually has a completely different meaning.

You don't get invited to too many parties, do you

Just kidding Great knowledge to share...thanks.

[LouZava]

Wow! I dont know what would I do, run for the border?LOL!

[tobacmon]

What about the Statue of Limitations -- are there any?

[happy1]

This is some crazy shit!! WTF is the government wasting our tax dollars looking for CC when there are terrorist in Washington State burning peoples houses down,Oh I forgot it's not politically correct to smoke right now-Beauracy bullshit!!!

[nhcigarfan-cl]

As was said, don't ingore it. The letters I have seen in the past have the same provisions mentioned that if you don't respond it is presumed you admit and they fine you.

If a response is required I would tell them that it was a humidor, not cigars, and it was donated as a door prize.

It is their burden to ultimately prove it was cigars and not a humidor.

I do hope that vendor sells humidors.

[Vince]

[QUOTE=nhcigarfan;226113

I do hope that vendor sells humidors.[/QUOTE]

YES they do

[nhcigarfan-cl]

Good to hear. It is smart to order from vendors that carry other stuff. I've never heard of the Fed getting a reciept, only a copy of the payment record from the financial institution.

[Vince]

Originally Posted by nhcigarfan

Good to hear. It is smart to order from vendors that carry other stuff. I've never heard of the Fed getting a reciept, only a copy of the payment record from the financial institution.

I pay through a Bank I never paid the vendor directly , the bank has no idea what I bought, just a retailer in Hong Kong , No Invoice is ever shared with the bank, They make payments thats all they know, I give them an account number & the cash to make the payment for me, they charge a fee & its done, just like I write a check for the car insurance , I make the payment , the bank pays the company but they never see an invoice from the insurance company , same thing here !! , I dont know whats up BUT the 5th admentment will protect me from self incrimantion, the burden of proof is on them. so I bouht somehthing from HongKong ........... is that a crime? I also got some Salsa from Mexico , , , is that a crime ? I buy Coffee from Africia, suits from London, shoes from Italy,Candy from Switzerland & Belgem,truffels from Italy,Oragano & safron from Spain & the Greek Islands , Olive oil from all over Europe , a Car that was made in Canada & I had a Mercury made in Hermoseia, Mexico ..... are they all crimes ??

[boomerd35]

Originally Posted by Vince

I pay through a Bank I never paid the vendor directly , the bank has no idea what I bought, just a retailer in Hong Kong , No Invoice is ever shared with the bank, They make payments thats all they know, I give them an account number & the cash to make the payment for me, they charge a fee & its done, just like I write a check for the car insurance , I make the payment , the bank pays the company but they never see an invoice from the insurance company , same thing here !! , I dont know whats up BUT the 5th admentment will protect me from self incrimantion, the burden of proof is on them. so I bouht somehthing from HongKong ........... is that a crime? I also got some Salsa from Mexico , , , is that a crime ? I buy Coffee from Africia, suits from London, shoes from Italy,Candy from Switzerland & Belgem,truffels from Italy,Oragano & safron from Spain & the Greek Islands , Olive oil from all over Europe , a Car that was made in Canada & I had a Mercury made in Hermoseia, Mexico ..... are they all crimes ??

Good post vince!

[hayward_tenney]

Originally Posted by TempestPSO

lol I have to say they are really on the ball serving letters for contraband from 2005...I'll sleep well tonight knowing that here in 2008 they are finally protecting us from things that happend in 2005.

Originally Posted by Tha Criddler

Id frame that letter.

oflmao:

[nhcigarfan-cl]

You're absolutely right, it is there burden ifit goes to court. But the trading with the enemy act allows for fines if you fail to respond. I haven't read your letter but I have read others and the letter specifically stated that failure to respond would be an admission and a fine would result. I think then if you appeal the fine the burden shifts to you to prove A: that your failure to respond was from accident, mistake or misfortune beyond your control and NOT negligence and B: that they purchase was not contraband. I'm not positive that the standard in A is correct but the nature of the burden, however worded, should be along those lines.

Can you scan and post the letter? I'd love to read it.