Update on the Corruption of Philippine Customs!

UPDATE of the post Fed-Ex + Bureau of Custom= Headache and possible Heart Attack, so Beware!:

I called the Customs in NAIA (I think, their office is in the same building where Fed-Ex was)

Me: Hello Sir, May I ask you something? This is Customs right?
Customs: Ano yun? Bakit? (What is it? Why?) (the tone of the man voice is as if he just woke up)

Me: Sir, I just want to know if ever I will purchase an item from United States that is below $100, am I still required to pay for Customs Duties and taxes? (pretending that I have not bought the item yet)
Customs: Eh, ano ba yung item? San ba galing? (as if I did not told him), anong problema? (I haven’t said a thing, I am just asking and he’s already asking for the problem.  I think they are really used to this kind of conversation, so they are very defensive)

Me: It’s from States Sir, and it is just a T-Shirt which costs $20.  Will you charged me for duties and taxes?
Customs: Pwede na yan siguro na walang tax, T-shirt lang yan e. (maybe that can passed without Tax, it’s only a T-Shirt)

(Why is it that he’s not sure? Don’t they have general rules and regulations that they should follow? So now when I heard him that it’s possible that they will not charged me, I asked him “Why did Fed-Ex billed me for taxes?”)
Customs: Eh, kasi sa Fed-Ex naman pala galing may bayad talaga! (It is because it came from Fed-Ex that’s why it has a tax)

Me: (my hypertension is rising) But, the bill came from you as what Fed-Ex said
Customs:  Pakiusapan mo na lang na wag kana singilin (ask/beg them if it’s okay to not bill you)

Me: (inhale, exhale) Okay I will, whose this anyway Sir?
Custom: E sino ka ba? (and who are you, and now he’s speaking in a more higher voice)

Me: This is Levy (without telling my real surname)
Custom: Si Manny Mamadra ‘to (this is Manny Mamadra- I don’t know if this is his real name)

After this, I did not waste a time and called Fed-Ex.  Now, I am angry and already looking for a fight  (just kidding)

Me: Hello Customer Service! I have just called Customs, and they told me that if the item cost is below $100 it can pass the duties and taxes of Customs.  May I ask you, where did you get all the charges you imposed on my baggage.
Fed-Ex: It is from Customs Ma’am.

Me: Didn’t you hear me? I’ve just said that I already called the Customs and they were the one who told me that the item can be Free of Charge.  So, whose telling the truth now?
Fed-Ex: May I ask for the transaction # of your baggage ma’am, and the person who handled it.

Me: (I give the transaction #, and the persons I talked too last Friday)
Fed-Ex: Can you hold for a minute ma’am, I will just go to the other building and ask the Customs myself.

Me: What? You’re going to another building, and you’ll let me wait here for you on the phone? Until what time will I wait for you, an hour?
Fed-Ex: (I feel that he’s terrified already) No ma’am, I’ll make it faster. I can’t transfer you there because they might not answer the phone.
Me: Okay! I’ll wait for you.

Fed-Ex: (back on the phone) Ma’am Customs told me (he stated a name but lucky for her I did not get it), that regardless of amount any item that came outside the Philippines it will still be billed for Duties and Taxes. Customs even showed me their book.
Me: What? So that means, there is no consistency in their rules and regulations? I just talked to one of their people and they are telling a different thing. I think the imposed taxes does not depend on the price of the item but rather it depends on the person in Customs that will handle your baggage.(this is b#ll sh!t)

(and I did not stop there, now I turned my disappointment to Fed-Ex)
Me: I heard you were the only shipping company who go to Customs? Johnny Air Cargo and TNT Express don’t asked for duties and taxes, why is it that way?
Fed-Ex: I don’t know Ma’am, we are different! (yes, you really are)

My Conclusion: Although we adore imported items and really want to buy it especially if its on sale, you really need to think twice before hitting the button.  We are not sure if even a piece of candy will be billed for customs duties and taxes (which for the life of me, I don’t know we’re it goes to).

The lesson I’ve learned here, “BUY OUR OWN PRODUCTS!”

what ever happens in life we should always remember to live life to the fullest