USPS - Restricted Substances

I bought and paid for an Rx, Metformin, for my diabetes from Wal-Mart mail order (800) 273-3455. The package was delivered to my home with the envelope torn open and the medicines were gone but the paper work was still there. I called and filed a complaint with the USPS and was giving the case #**. I was told an investigation was to be done and the would find out what happened.

No one got back to me on. This is going on week four and I still remain a victim of mail fraud. Can someone help me? If this bag was torn open and my meds fell out of the envelope, my name and complete mailing address would still be on the bottles and I would think the USPS would have notified me through my complaint and case number. Thanking you in advance.

I own a winery in Maine and am trying to ship some wine on behalf of a local customer to his parents in the Netherlands.

Before even trying to use USPS to mail wine I checked their website to see if it was possible. I know the USPS will not send wine within the US but thought I might be able to ship overseas.

On the USPS website is Publication 52: Hazardous, Restricted and Perishible. Section 636 exempts certain items otherwise restricted, including alcohol, if the country to which it is sent does not prohibit importation. The International Mail Manual listed the Netherlands as a country that did not prohibit the importation of alcohol.

So I filled out the Customs forms online and put the package together. When I arrived at the Post Office I was told the Postal Service does not ship wine at all. I asked to see that in writing and was told they would have to investigate. I left my number and asked them to phone me when I had an answer. They phoned a couple hours later to say they had checked with the main Post Office and repeated that they would not ship wine. I asked them to explain the discrepancy between the answer they gave me and what was posted on the USPS website. They could not explain.

Next I emailed the same question on the USPS website. A couple hours later (I admit, they are prompt) I got a response. Here is the thread:

Customer (David) My local Post Office will not ship a package containing wine for me. I understand wine is a restricted material listed in DMM C024.7.0 through C024.20.0, however Publication 52 section 636 says it can be mailed internationally if it is not prohibited in that countys IMM. I want to ship to the Netherlands and when I check the IMM for the Netherlands, there is no restriction for wine. My postmaster says wine cannot be shipped under any circumstances. Can you explain the discrepency?

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Thank you David, for visiting our website. There are no restriction for wine to be received by the Netherlands customs dept. The only way for you to send wine is if you do a carry-on you in flight. If we can be of assistance to you in the future, please dont hesitate to contact us. Thank you for using the United States Postal Service. William

On the one hand, they acknowledge that there is no reason wine can't be sent to the Netherlands, but imply I must deliver it myself.