Fed-Ex + Bureau of Custom= Headache and possible Heart Attack, so Beware!
Remember my post about asking you guys what was the better T-shirt for Noel? Well, everyone wanted the Nerd Herd T-shirt but it came out that Noel’s suggestions counts more, since he will be the one to wear it. In short, he chose the other T-Shirt which is the “Deviant Art”.
I am confident to buy this T-Shirt from Deviant Art shop since it will be shipped by Fed-Ex. The T-shirt cost only $20 + $16 shipping price. After 2 days Fed-Ex delivered it directly to our house (as expected), but what surprised me is that the delivery man is asking me to pay the Customs Duties and Taxes worth P1,390.00. I can’t help it, I squealed when I heard it and ask the delivery man “Why do I have to pay for the Custom Tax? I already paid for the shipping of the item”. I can’t imagine paying another thousand for a piece of cloth. I am so angry! I said to myself when I first encountered the dirt in Customs that they will never get another huge amount of money from me, and now here they are again. My 1st experience with Customs, is when they asked me to pay for the winning prize of Noel from Foldees which is a Wacom Bamboo Tablet, wherein it is clearly stated that Gift items are FREE of tax (well, I just knew about it now!).
I don’t know if the delivery man is used to this kind of reaction from people, since he is just smiling and as if nothing is wrong. But, he advised me to call Fed-Ex and ask if they can waive the Storage Fee amounting to P 825 and that is only for 1day. I am thinking what kind of storage room do they have? Is it an airconditioned room, and is it 1 item per room ratio? It’s almost the same price of one whole day in a Hotel.
So, I called Fed-Ex and made a request, it was Friday afternoon already. The following day (saturday) I called again to check if my request has been approved. The Customer Service told me that they already forwarded the request to the custom and still waiting for approval, unfortunately the Customs office is Monday to Friday only, so I have to wait for Monday. If I’ll have to wait for Monday then I have no choice but to pay for the storage fee since the item stayed in their EXPENSIVE storage room for almost 3 days.
I only have two options, don’t get the T-shirt (where they will put on sale if nobody will get it) or I will pay for their b**l $h!t taxes. I choose the latter since it’s my Valentine’s Gift to my husband so I need to have it before Valentine’s Day. I asked Fed-Ex to deliver the item to me again.
I asked fellow bloggers (Fedhz & Pehpot) if they had encountered the same thing with Customs. They told me that it is sadly quite normal, and that we are really required to pay for taxes. But Pehpot said that if the item is below $100 then it should be Free of Charge. The T-shirt only cost $20.
I researched in Google for the website of Bureau of Custom, and hoping that they will have an answer to my questions. Yes, they have a website but it is not stated there if items below $100 is non-taxable. I have to ask this myself directly to Customs (maybe in phone or in person). I will update you for any reactions I will get from them.
I was so blessed everyday, that is why I almost forgot about this, but I think I have to post it so that for those who have plans on buying something online you need to think really hard. Or better yet, have it delivered to any of your friends or relatives in the States and if someone there will be coming here, you would just ask them to bring it along with them. (this is a nice advise coming from Pehpot).
On the lighter mood, Noel likes the T-shirt and even though I haven’t washed it yet he wore it on our Valentine’s date. I will just charge what happened to me again to experience.
I do believe in Karma and I hope people behind these unfair collection of taxes should believe too!
If you want to read more disappointment story from our Customs, then you should read these:
showbizandstyle.inquirer.net
calvinshub.com
what ever happens in life we should always remember to live life to the fullest
OMG! This happened to me too! When Yolanda happened, my bloggy friends abroad sent second hand toys for us to distribute here. It was sent thru TNT though and customs including the “storage” amounted to 13k!
Even the local postal system sucks. Also when I review products from abroad shipped through USPS, our local post office takes over when they get here sa Pinas, they would charge me PhP50 for the documents daw for each item then other charges pa na not on the receipt! And most of them are not worth over $100. The last time, I paid almost 300 but the only thing stated on the receipt is Php50 pesos. Ugh!
sad to say mahal talaga rate of duty pag clothes. 15% i think which is the max. ganun din nangyari sa pinadala sa akin na thermal clothes. buti na lang marami kaya ok lang. 1.3k rin inabot ko sa tax 🙁
pero parang mali talaga yung sayo. hindi worth it pag isang item lang tapos storage fee mo 800+. dapat baguhin na rin ng fedex yang storage fee na yan.
That just sucks! You think they have better service because they are a private company but they’re just the same with custom officials in PO.
Is FedEx the only shipping option with DeviantArt? I’ve wanting to buys some prints there but is actually worries with taxes shipping, your case just proved it right.
That’s really something that prevents me from buying stuff and having them delivered here. I’d rather have it sent to a relative and someone brings it home personally but that is not always avilable. 🙁
Don’t you just HATE that???!!! You know what I think — the post office is cheaper, but sometimes online shops don’t give you the option to send by post. Also, it takes too long, and sadly, there’s no guarantee the buwayas there won’t take a huge bite off your wallet, either. Or even lose your package. I don’t know when this situation will ever improve. Do update us on what happens next.