Importing Life Raft/Dealing With Customs?

[Delancey]

I have some trepidation about going to JFK airport tomorrow to pick up a life raft that a friend has had shipped from the UK.

Does anyone have experience with receiving imported goods at an airport?

It's sort of a PIA for us to get to JFK so I am hoping to have all my T's crossed and i's dotted rather than finding when I get there that I have to come back for want of a scrap of paper.

The poor English language skills of the guy on the phone at the shipping terminal have me a little nervous so any tips would be most appreciated. The life raft is apparently classified as hazardous materials, not sure if that matters.

Thanks!