Request true value of overseas purchase :)

[KZOR]

I ordered some items from @3FVape and payed for DHL delivery. Tracked the package and got excited when i saw it landed in Cape Town four days later on the 11th of November.
BUT ...... i still have nor received it ....... 11 days later.
Apparently my parcel was detained by customs.
I have contacted DHL Cape Town a week ago and supplied them with my Paypal POP as well as the receipt from @3FVape. This they passed on to customs.
When i contacted DHL Cape Town today for the fourth time i was informed that customs decided that i had to pay a fine, for "dishonesty", of R2300 to be able to get my package. The content is worth around R1400 so there is no way that it is an option for me.
The fine was because @3FVape decided to put a value of 20 dollars on my package without my consent and now i am being punished for their dishonesty.
Needless to say my package is a write-off and i will have to cut my losses if the seller decides to give me a stiff one.
So to prevent any of you from experiencing the same distasteful situation please request that they submit the true value of the content purchased.
I am so dissapointed with @3FVape that i will never do business with them again unless they resolve this issue.

 

[Timwis]

It's not just @3FVape in my experience most of the Chinese vendors do this i review products and buy products so receive a lot of product from China, Receiving a $xx kit that's only a $5 atomizer (according to the paperwork) is a common event, if 3FVape won't resolve it get your money back via paypal.

 

[Raindance]

I ordered some items from @3FVape and payed for DHL delivery. Tracked the package and got excited when i saw it landed in Cape Town four days later on the 11th of November.
BUT ...... i still have nor received it ....... 11 days later.
Apparently my parcel was detained by customs.
I have contacted DHL Cape Town a week ago and supplied them with my Paypal POP as well as the receipt from @3FVape. This they passed on to customs.
When i contacted DHL Cape Town today for the fourth time i was informed that customs decided that i had to pay a fine, for "dishonesty", of R2300 to be able to get my package. The content is worth around R1400 so there is no way that it is an option for me.
The fine was because @3FVape decided to put a value of 20 dollars on my package without my consent and now i am being punished for their dishonesty.
Needless to say my package is a write-off and i will have to cut my losses if the seller decides to give me a stiff one.
So to prevent any of you from experiencing the same distasteful situation please request that they submit the true value of the content purchased.
I am so dissapointed with @3FVape that i will never do business with them again unless they resolve this issue.

Hi @KZOR, have you tried arguing your case with customs? It does not seem very reasonable that the recipient should pay for the dishonesty of the sender. There must be a way to appeal their finding.

Regards

 

[Timwis]

The declaration of value came from @3FVape so seems strange your customs are fining you.

 

[Crockett]

It happened to me too. If you want to get your parcel out, you have to pay the fine. You then have 30 days to appeal the decision. The problem is you have to get proof from either the vendor or the courier company that they were the ones who made the screw up, which doesn't seem too likely. That's why I ended up paying almost double for a Signature Tips SQ squonker. I spent weeks chasing up incompetent Fedex, sent countless emails to Signature Tips who were absolutely useless, and ended up having to pay in the end. It's maybe why I just can't love that mod,,,,too many bad memories.

 

[Genosmate]

I ordered some items from @3FVape and payed for DHL delivery. Tracked the package and got excited when i saw it landed in Cape Town four days later on the 11th of November.
BUT ...... i still have nor received it ....... 11 days later.
Apparently my parcel was detained by customs.
I have contacted DHL Cape Town a week ago and supplied them with my Paypal POP as well as the receipt from @3FVape. This they passed on to customs.
When i contacted DHL Cape Town today for the fourth time i was informed that customs decided that i had to pay a fine, for "dishonesty", of R2300 to be able to get my package. The content is worth around R1400 so there is no way that it is an option for me.
The fine was because @3FVape decided to put a value of 20 dollars on my package without my consent and now i am being punished for their dishonesty.
Needless to say my package is a write-off and i will have to cut my losses if the seller decides to give me a stiff one.
So to prevent any of you from experiencing the same distasteful situation please request that they submit the true value of the content purchased.
I am so dissapointed with @3FVape that i will never do business with them again unless they resolve this issue.

I agree 100% in that I won't ever do business with them again.
I had an almost identical situation in that I supplied the 3f invoice and my PayPal pop to customs and told them that the 3f invoice was incorrect as it was too low.
They charged me on the value of the PayPal pop which was fair enough.
How can you possibly be fined for being dishonest ffs

 

[KZOR]

They charged me on the value of the PayPal pop which was fair enough.

I am always prepared to pay the import tax and have cash put aside for whenever i have to.
I told them that i was more than willing to do that but "no go" from their side.

 

[TheV]

I am always prepared to pay the import tax and have cash put aside for whenever i have to.
I told them that i was more than willing to do that but "no go" from their side.

Have you escalated the matter with DHL? Surely somebody there must be sensible about the matter.
You pay the right amount and they take up any fines they want to with the person that declared the value incorrectly.

 

[Timwis]

I agree 100% in that I won't ever do business with them again.
I had an almost identical situation in that I supplied the 3f invoice and my PayPal pop to customs and told them that the 3f invoice was incorrect as it was too low.
They charged me on the value of the PayPal pop which was fair enough.
How can you possibly be fined for being dishonest ffs

I agree if it's import tax should be paid that's fair enough, if it's postage owing due to postage paid was based partly on value of item while feeling aggrieved it's quite standard that to receive the item the outstanding amount needs to be paid but a custom issue over dishonest disclosure of what is in the package is down to the sender so why customs are fining the receiver is very strange.

 

[boxerulez]

I ordered some items from @3FVape and payed for DHL delivery. Tracked the package and got excited when i saw it landed in Cape Town four days later on the 11th of November.
BUT ...... i still have nor received it ....... 11 days later.
Apparently my parcel was detained by customs.
I have contacted DHL Cape Town a week ago and supplied them with my Paypal POP as well as the receipt from @3FVape. This they passed on to customs.
When i contacted DHL Cape Town today for the fourth time i was informed that customs decided that i had to pay a fine, for "dishonesty", of R2300 to be able to get my package. The content is worth around R1400 so there is no way that it is an option for me.
The fine was because @3FVape decided to put a value of 20 dollars on my package without my consent and now i am being punished for their dishonesty.
Needless to say my package is a write-off and i will have to cut my losses if the seller decides to give me a stiff one.
So to prevent any of you from experiencing the same distasteful situation please request that they submit the true value of the content purchased.
I am so dissapointed with @3FVape that i will never do business with them again unless they resolve this issue.

So what did you order uncle?

Sent from my SM-A500F using Tapatalk

 

[KZOR]

So what did you order uncle?

Authentic Avidartisan Daedalus Pro Clapton Wire DIY Tool Coil Jig - Black, 2 x 18650
Replacement Sleeve for Hadaly Style RDA - Brown, PEI, 22mm Diameter
Authentic 528 Customs Gloss Replacement Top Cap + Sleeve for 24mm Goon RDA - Green, Aluminum, 24mm Diameter
YFTK Replacement Top Cap for Entheo n Style RDA - Translucent, PC
Decorative Vape Ring for 22mm Diameter RDA / RTA / Sub Ohm Tank - Brown + White + Black, PEI + POM + PC (3 PCS)
Entheon Style RDA Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer w/ BF Pin - Black, Stainless Steel, 22mm Diameter
Authentic Iwodevape Dropper Bottle for E-juice Liquid - Black, PET, 60ml

 

[boxerulez]

Authentic Avidartisan Daedalus Pro Clapton Wire DIY Tool Coil Jig - Black, 2 x 18650
Replacement Sleeve for Hadaly Style RDA - Brown, PEI, 22mm Diameter
Authentic 528 Customs Gloss Replacement Top Cap + Sleeve for 24mm Goon RDA - Green, Aluminum, 24mm Diameter
YFTK Replacement Top Cap for Entheo n Style RDA - Translucent, PC
Decorative Vape Ring for 22mm Diameter RDA / RTA / Sub Ohm Tank - Brown + White + Black, PEI + POM + PC (3 PCS)
Entheon Style RDA Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer w/ BF Pin - Black, Stainless Steel, 22mm Diameter
Authentic Iwodevape Dropper Bottle for E-juice Liquid - Black, PET, 60ml

Wow thats quite a cart. Whats 3f got to say about all this?

Sent from my SM-A500F using Tapatalk

 

[KZOR]

And this is the reply i got from @3FVape ...... sad but true.

"Dear Louis,

Thanks for your message! We are sorry to hear that. To help our customer avoid tax, we will lower the value as usual. And there is no issue for now. Please be advised we are not responsible for the tax. We've stated clearly on the terms and conditions of shipping.



when DHL contact you for payment proof you should contact us at first.

Any further questions please contact us freely.

Best regards,"

My problem is that buyer should be aware of what is regarded as "Low value".

 

[SamuraiTheVapor]

It's in their terms and conditions.

Guess you were just unlucky that it got held up at customs, next time - read the fine print

 

[SinnerG]

I noticed this with most of my aliexpress imports and my Fasttech where the value on the outside of the package is nowhere near that of the contents. Those 2 fasttech orders are still nowhere to be seen yet so hopefully they do not go this route.

I also don't really like it when they don't put the receipt in the package. Surely if there's a receipt included then SARS doesn't have reason to believe you're hiding something. I guess from now on it is best to request that the correct values be indicated on the packages.

Does anyone have regulation documentation for customs where it might say a fine will be charged and covers this dishonesty crap?

I would say reject the package and get the cost reverse on card or through paypal. Then again, I don't think paypal cares to help anyone if e-cigs are involved.

 

[SinnerG]

@KZOR: did you speak to customs directly or this all through DHL?

 

[Sir Vape]

Bummer

 

[Timwis]

And this is the reply i got from @3FVape ...... sad but true.

"Dear Louis,

Thanks for your message! We are sorry to hear that. To help our customer avoid tax, we will lower the value as usual. And there is no issue for now. Please be advised we are not responsible for the tax. We've stated clearly on the terms and conditions of shipping.

View attachment 114367

when DHL contact you for payment proof you should contact us at first.

Any further questions please contact us freely.

Best regards,"

My problem is that buyer should be aware of what is regarded as "Low value".

But was it import tax you are being charged or a fine liked you first said for dishonest enclosure of what was in the package. If it was a fine for dishonesty get back in touch with @3FVape and ask them why they have outlined the section on Tax and Duty when your not being charged that but are being fined for @3FVape's dishonesty. Point out to them that their terms and conditions do say about being liable for Tax and also say items are disclosed as low value but it does not say you are liable for fines for there dishonest procedures.

 

[KZOR]

this all through DHL

Just DHL.

 

[SinnerG]

Just DHL.

Calls SARS direct at CapeMail (021 509 5400, ask for customs). Going middleman sucks and sometimes, who knows, these shipping companies like to add their own crap onto things. When I ordered a keyboard from the USA it came over through Aramex and I calculated what import would be, but then had to pay a few hundred more for some reason. I requested the full invoice or charges and never received it.

 

[Ash]

So I ordered the Authentic Avidartisan Daedalus Pro Clapton Wire DIY Tool Coil Jig - Black, 2 x 18650 on the 11th of this month and it was only that from 3fvape. I also opted for DHL. I guess I got very lucky as mine came through with no issues but I also did notice that they put in a value of 20$ for that. Should that have been stopped by customs I am very sure I would have paid a penaly for lying too although it was not at my request. that was my first purchase through them and it will be my last as I don't like having issues with customs. I rather pay some duties towards them and get my items than not. I did also notice though that DHL are useless. Their parcels seems to get stopped more often than fedex and communication with them is as bad as our local post office. I always prefer fedex. I would fight with DHL and get them to sort it out.

 

[SinnerG]

Ain't we go no tax lawyers round these here parts?

I'm reading some of the legal stuff and it's just section this, section that...

 

[kev mac]

But was it import tax you are being charged or a fine liked you first said for dishonest enclosure of what was in the package. If it was a fine for dishonesty get back in touch with @3FVape and ask them why they have outlined the section on Tax and Duty when your not being charged that but are being fined for @3FVape's dishonesty. Point out to them that their terms and conditions do say about being liable for Tax and also say items are disclosed as low value but it does not say you are liable for fines for there dishonest procedures.

Unfortunately I don't think you would get anywhere,just a few "so sorry,so sorry"

 

[CMMACKEM]

I ordered some items from @3FVape and payed for DHL delivery. Tracked the package and got excited when i saw it landed in Cape Town four days later on the 11th of November.
BUT ...... i still have nor received it ....... 11 days later.
Apparently my parcel was detained by customs.
I have contacted DHL Cape Town a week ago and supplied them with my Paypal POP as well as the receipt from @3FVape. This they passed on to customs.
When i contacted DHL Cape Town today for the fourth time i was informed that customs decided that i had to pay a fine, for "dishonesty", of R2300 to be able to get my package. The content is worth around R1400 so there is no way that it is an option for me.
The fine was because @3FVape decided to put a value of 20 dollars on my package without my consent and now i am being punished for their dishonesty.
Needless to say my package is a write-off and i will have to cut my losses if the seller decides to give me a stiff one.
So to prevent any of you from experiencing the same distasteful situation please request that they submit the true value of the content purchased.
I am so dissapointed with @3FVape that i will never do business with them again unless they resolve this issue.

Use Fedex next time. Trust me.

 

[CMMACKEM]

Ain't we go no tax lawyers round these here parts?

I'm reading some of the legal stuff and it's just section this, section that...

Is that not a criminal offence?