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[EaglesCC]

I'm not the first person this has happened to but that fact doesn't make it any less frustrating. I recently received this bat from a relative in Pakistan and like most very excitedly opened the packaging only to find this 





The grip was ripped off and the handle snapped. The packaging has "UK Boarder Control" tape all over the area it was opened - which is basically straight down the middle with a knife completely destroying another bat cover too. Surely there must be a better way than to 'treat everyone as a drug trafficker'...? They even had the audacity to stick a fibre scuff sheet which was in the parcel over the handle to cover it up.

I'm guess there is no recourse for this at all?

What makes it even more heart breaking is the fact it was a beautiful bat...

[InternalTraining]

Beautiful bat ruined!!

[Manormanic]

It is, and I'm gutted for you, but there are good solid reasons behind it unfortunately.

[i12breakfree]

Atleast they did not drill holes through the blade this time. You should be able to get it rehandled.
Why cannot it just be scanned for security ? lack of infrastructure or technical limitation?

[Manormanic]

Got to be honest, I've not seen one broken at the handle before.

[Sam]

Can't believe that there's no form of any kind of reimbursement from border control in cases like these, I mean what if they'd torn a more common item such as a sofa for example to shreds because they suspected drugs to be hidden inside it, would they just send it on still?

[EaglesCC]

I'm not questioning the reason behind the checks. But this is like being stopped on the street and having a leg broken incase I'm hiding something inside it.

Guilty until proven innocent, and then out of pocket despite being innocent?

The way it's been broken looks almost malicious. Granted it's a better position to be in than having it drilled as this is salvageable but feels grossly unfair...

[mini998]

At least you can get it re handled , guess moral of the story is if you want a Pakistani made bad then buy it from a retailer here.

[smilley792]

Innocent until proven guilty??

Not here they presume you guilty.  And destroy your stuff.


Checks are understandable. But the way they do them is not.

Merely rolling the grip off and removing the binding would leave it usable/ repairable.

Hacking at it with machete is just disrespectful.  And even worse  that when they've realised they've just ruined someone's bat, they show even more disrespect by then using there scuff sheet to attempt a bodge repair.

Absolute disgrace.

[InternalTraining]

If this was insured, would this be covered by insurance?

[Blazer]

They probably picked up the white filling material used in some handles and decided to find out what that was. It's heartbreaking for any forum member to experience or see. I feel sorry for you pal.

[Cowcorner]

Atleast they did not drill holes through the blade this time. You should be able to get it rehandled.
Why cannot it just be scanned for security ? lack of infrastructure or technical limitation?

You don't even need to scan it - just let a drug dog have a sniff......As for compensation you may be able to act if you can locate the depot responsible and lodge a complaint with them - you should be able to request the paperwork that details the opening/destruction of your package which will add weight to your claim. If the courier is somebody reputable like DHL then they may be able to assist as they have responsibilities since the package is basically under their care from the point of origin to the destination. They will have insurance that covers this sort of thing.

[EaglesCC]

I have no idea if this would be covered by courier insurance or not. I suspect not as they have no control over this either.

You don't even need to scan it - just let a drug dog have a sniff......As for compensation you may be able to act if you can locate the depot responsible and lodge a complaint with them - you should be able to request the paperwork that details the opening/destruction of your package which will add weight to your claim. If the courier is somebody reputable like DHL then they may be able to assist as they have responsibilities since the package is basically under their care from the point of origin to the destination. They will have insurance that covers this sort of thing.

The courier was in fact DHL so I will contact them and if that bears no fruit I will write to the homeoffice. I can't see how DHL would insure this though as they have no say in the matter if the boarder agency want to conduct checks in this way...?

Assuming this hasn't happened to anyone on the forum before? 

[KettonJake]

The ever looming spectre when importing bats from that part of the world unfortunately.

Handles and splices full of filler are more than enough reason for an 'inspection' for drugs - which can be drilling, breaking/ripping things open, basically whatever they want to do to satisfy themselves that there is nothing amiss.

Little to no recourse I am afraid, unless you can prove that they did not have proper grounds to inspect. Better to cut your losses.

[EaglesCC]

The ever looming spectre when importing bats from that part of the world unfortunately.

Handles and splices full of filler are more than enough reason for an 'inspection' for drugs - which can be drilling, breaking/ripping things open, basically whatever they want to do to satisfy themselves that there is nothing amiss.

Little to no recourse I am afraid, unless you can prove that they did not have proper grounds to inspect. Better to cut your losses.

I suspect you're right but I will peruse it all the same just incase. I'm not sure it's actually just to do with filler etc because I remember something similar happening to Lendl Simmons: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/28711774

I can't imagine his bat have any filler?! Fairly certain they can carry out random searches. Which is fine but it feels like a law that penalises innocent people.