Anyone who has ordered from overseas knows that exciting feeling of waiting at the mailbox anxiously for the desired package to arrive from some faraway land. The postman arrives, you sign, and you run inside with the package to unwrap your taboo delivery. But now and then, many poor chaps have received something else, instead of their overseas gear: A seizure letter.

First off, don't sign. Well, you sign with the delivery service for the letter. Don't sign the letter claiming ownership. See, you have two options. You can sign, and accept ownership of the package and challenge the legitimacy of its seizure, or you can just 'drop it', forget about the package, and risk no further headache. This is typically the best route to take. It costs more for the government to pursue the case than it is worth to them, so most of the time it's just filed. You lost the money you spent, but there is nothing you can do about that. Walk away from this situation.

Second, don't panic. Many people have received 2-3 letters of this nature in a single year for several years, with no further damage. Although taboo, it is normal in this sport of ours. A second letter doesn't mean you're going to prison. It just means you have two checks in your file, and you should start to consider changing your behavior. Don't talk about it without people - you'll likely find they will tell friends, and the damage to your reputation, as a person who is figuratively flagged, cannot be a good thing. Read your letter, put it in a safe place, and do not repeat it.

Third, be prepared for public notice. The terms of the seizure indicate the government will post it in a public forum such as a newspaper for 21 days. This is normal, routine, and something you should not fight. You'll get way more attention than you'd like if you start making demands or raising a fuss about something like this - when you were breaking the law to begin with by placing that ill-fated order.

Ordering from overseas is risky business and should be avoided. However, it is often a necessary evil to compete in this sport, and you may find yourself in a precarious situation as a result. The key to getting through a situation like this is to keep your emotions in check, and react intelligently and logically. Consult an attorney if you must, and avoid risky situations in the future.