On USPS package tracking what does "Origin Post is Preparing Shipment" mean?

Question

I ordered something from england and it was shipped with Royal Mail the tracking on Royal Mail says this:

Your item, posted on 30/06/08 with reference RI874376294GB has been passed to the overseas postal service for delivery in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

I checked the tracking on USPS.com and it says:

Label/Receipt Number: RI87 4376 294G B

Status: Inbound International Arrival

Your item arrived in the United States at ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS) at 10:07 PM on July 1, 2008. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

When I clicked on additional details it says:

Label/Receipt Number: RI87 4376 294G B

Detailed Results:

*Inbound International Arrival, July 01, 2008, 10:07 pm, ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)

*Origin Post is Preparing Shipment

What does "Origin Post is Preparing Shipment" mean?

Answer 1

I don't know what that specific statement means but a very similar statement is, "Inbound Into Customs", which is a normal status in the shipping of international goods. However, as I've been unofficially advised, if your package stays in this status for more than 2 business days Customs has determined that your package is a package of interest, at which point Customs can seize, destroy, or send back your package at their discretion. I was also unofficially advised that once your package becomes a package of interest you as a citizen have no recourse and that although Customs claims to accept inquiries they don't. If Customs decides to return your package they will do so after approximately 30 days. As I initially stated, your status is not the "Inbound into Customs" status but it does seem pretty close. Good luck with your package. If you do find some means of inquiry please let me know.