View Full Version : Customs Broker / Gouging!
Well, live and learn. I have my USA mail, magazines, letters etc. Collected at a mailbox location in Miami, and sent to me via DHL once a month. A good service. I made the huge error recently of ordering a non prescription nasal spray via the internet which was delivered to my mailbox location, and sent via DHL to BA. Got notice today that the package was held by customs for the "medicine". What bites is that you have to jump through a bunch of semi costly hoops to get the package released, including the hiring of a "customs broker" to work the system. I questioned DHL as to what would happen if I said I no longer wanted the package. I was informed that customs might destroy it after a certain amount of time, and ALSO might fine me for not picking it up. The proverbial rock and a hard place. All of this for a $30 USA nose spray! Without knowing how much the customs broker will cost, DHL says just to get the paperwork released to me will cost $72USA! What a nasty little hole to avoid falling into. So, if anybody has any advise about customs brokers, or anything else about this goddamn farce, I am all ears. I would like to just leave the package there and say fuck it, but I am wary about this possible fine from customs, and whether it is possible this could have an impact on the receiving of my packages from here on out. What a fine fucking mess!
Dog
DHL says just to get the paperwork released to me will cost $72USA!
DogDogg.
Is this really a lot of money? You made a mistake. Pay what you need, don't make the same mistake again. Not too hard.
Chica D
Dogg.
Is this really a lot of money? You made a mistake. Pay what you need, don't make the same mistake again. Not too hard.
Chica DI don't know how much money is involved given the fact that I have not contacted the "customs broker". Needless to say, she or he will want a slice as well. Sure, I am irritated with myself for not thinking this through ahead of time, but more pissed that it looks like every little cocksucker that can make a buck off the situation is hellbent to do so. A little Argentinian bureaucratic wormhole, and I am not fond of bureaucratic wormholes regardless of country. They are usually inhabited by particularly nasty little shitheads who have no other way of making a living.
Daddy Rulz
06-05-06, 19:16
I don't know how much money is involved given the fact that I have not contacted the "customs broker". Needless to say, she or he will want a slice as well. Sure, I am irritated with myself for not thinking this through ahead of time, but more pissed that it looks like every little cocksucker that can make a buck off the situation is hellbent to do so. A little Argentinian bureaucratic wormhole, and I am not fond of bureaucratic wormholes regardless of country. They are usually inhabited by particularly nasty little shitheads who have no other way of making a living.Bubba that's just the way it is there, the trade off is the life style. As the lawyers in Texas would say "pay the two bucks" You asked for advice for the future, the obvious advise is to trade chica info and a brew or two to some monger making a trip south. You know I'll carry something for you.
Bubba that's just the way it is there, the trade off is the life style. As the lawyers in Texas would say "pay the two bucks" You asked for advice for the future, the obvious advise is to trade chica info and a brew or two to some monger making a trip south. You know I'll carry something for you.Thanks for the response Daddy. Yea, I know how the wind blows, but it still stinks! I am in contact with an expat who owns a "Transfer" company down here, and moves alot of people back and forth from Argentina to South Florida. He is gonna do some interference work for me. This kind of shit always sticks in my craw. Fucking maggots. Let me know when you are headed back. BTW, here is the website for anybody interested in Transpack Argentina:
http://www.transpack.com.ar/
Saludos,
Dog
Thomaso276
06-05-06, 23:22
DHL is a rip-off, they tried to double charge me (a handling fee) for boxes sent from the USA.
I think you should just leave the stuff there, let them destroy it. If it ever comes up just deny asking it to be shipped, say it was a mistake.
DHL is a rip-off, they tried to double charge me (a handling fee) for boxes sent from the USA.
I think you should just leave the stuff there, let them destroy it. If it ever comes up just deny asking ti to be shipped, say it was a mistake.Hey Thomaso,
You are right. This is not the first time I have seen their bullshit in action. I am going to let my mail forwarding service know I want to switch from DHL to Fedex. It costs a bit more, but worth it. Hey Jackson, you might want to take note of that as well. I know someone else in BA who uses USAbox and switched from DHL to Fedex. Costs about $10 more a month. You know, I would not be shocked if somewhere along the line there exists a little kickback situation with some carriers and customs. There sure seems to be a lot of people with their hands out in this situation.
Final report on this farce. The guy I enlisted to check out the situation informed me today that I would be spending somewhere over $200US to get the package, not counting hours of running around, filling out forms, getting things "notarized" etc. I will fill out an "abandonment form" with DHL, sever my relationship with DHL, and exercise better judgement with my shipments. The mailbox service in Miami termed this customs mess as "incredible", and indicated they had never seen a problem with a nonprescription medication before. Lesson learned: when they get you over a barrel here, get ready for an assfuck.
Norman Stormin
06-06-06, 16:42
But since this whole fiasco is over nasal spay, I thought I might offer my 2 centavos worth. If this is a decongestant, I got some jam up stuff called Flixonase (propionato de fluticasona) for 16 p. It's a prescription item I got over the counter from the ever friendly and happy to make a sale local Pharmacist.
Beats the hell out of US$200 and a lot of aggrivation!
Always have your Afrin nasal spray delivered directly to you by a qualified professional monger. Thanks again, Sportsman!
Well, in the throes of sinus hell, I ordered a "pepper based" spray that "stings" off the internet. Maybe like inhaling a boatload of wasabi. I will attribute that to my sinus headache and desperation! Hell, maybe it does have something illegal in it. Now, I will miss four issues of "The New Yorker", never to be read. A crying fucking shame.
Ok, the final nail in this mess. I went down to the DHL office on Ave Belgrano to formally "abandon" the package confiscated by customs. DHL informed me that the "abandonment fee" was $80US. Not surprising news! Paid and done with. Lucky for me there was nothing in my package that was essential. Exercise caution if you have a service that delivers your mail. A lesson learned.
Ok, the final nail in this mess. I went down to the DHL office on Ave Belgrano to formally "abandon" the package confiscated by customs. DHL informed me that the "abandonment fee" was $80US. Not surprising news! Paid and done with. Lucky for me there was nothing in my package that was essential. Exercise caution if you have a service that delivers your mail. A lesson learned.Describing two errors in one post. Anal rape, indeed. But this time it was certainly asked for.
Describing two errors in one post. Anal rape, indeed. But this time it was certainly asked for.Hunt99,
I may ask for my ass to be licked, but never raped. In addition, my posting on this subject is with the intent to inform others on the assorted minefields here in Argentina. Any commiseration is welcome of course, but not required. To this point the two critical responses have come from Marak5/ Chica D and, well, you. I can only surmise that both you and Chica D do not make mistakes, and are thus free to offer criticism. Trying to emulate the both of you will be tough. Not trying to start a flame war here, but I like to give as good as I get (when possible-better) You know the feeling, I am sure.:p I am guessing you think I would have been better off not going to DHL, and not paying the abandonment fee. Possibly you are right about that, but I had also been "threatened" with the possibility of a fine by customs for leaving the package there, without the formal "abandonment". Seemed like the most prudent course of action was to pony up the "extortion fee" and be done with it. I don't have the time or inclination to do battle with these assholes.
Should you wish to return salvo for the Chica D comparison, I am ready!:D
Do you think that an Argentino, when faced with this exact situation, would have paid 250 pesos for - nothing? Get real, Dogg. You were had. However, if that's the only 80 bucks you've ever blown doing something stupid, then you're doing really well, better than the rest of us. ;)
Do you think that an Argentino, when faced with this exact situation, would have paid 250 pesos for - nothing? Get real, Dogg. You were had. However, if that's the only 80 bucks you've ever blown doing something stupid, then you're doing really well, better than the rest of us.;)Well, maybe you are right about that. The few locals that I told about the situation were:
1. Clueless.
2. Sympathetic, and irritated with Argie customs for their behavior.
3. Appeared embarrassed (sp) and possibly resentful, that I had brought up something so clearly critical about something argentine.
And, I have blown that much money. And more on many occasions, though usually with some return, however meager, or transitory.;)
I'd have probably called it lost mail, Dogg. What notice? Come to think of it, there has probably been a shirt of mine sitting at Ezeiza customs for close to a year. I had it sent regular mail (if could fit in one of those slightly thick but small, brown, padded, letter packages) since the value was very low. I've had other low value items, including over the counter drugs, shipped the same way in the past. I never had a problem until the shirt was sent - maybe it was actually lost or maybe customs decided to hold it this time. Only God and Argentine Customs will ever know. I never bothered looking for it.
Thanks for the useful information Doggboy.
Do you think that an Argentino, when faced with this exact situation, would have paid 250 pesos for - nothing? Get real, Dogg. You were had. However, if that's the only 80 bucks you've ever blown doing something stupid, then you're doing really well, better than the rest of us.;)This coming a from guy who recommends lying to federal agents and fraudulently obtaining a replacement passport if you accidentally overstay your 90-day tourist stamp. Argentine exit customs would catch you in about 3 seconds anyway. Hopefully they'd be nice and just collect the 50 peso fine and forget about intent to deceive federal authorities part.
This coming a from guy who recommends lying to federal agents and fraudulently obtaining a replacement passport if you accidentally overstay your 90-day tourist stamp. Argentine exit customs would catch you in about 3 seconds anyway. Hopefully they'd be nice and just collect the 50 peso fine and forget about intent to deceive federal authorities part.Lie? My dear Moore, did you miss out on those reading comprehension classes? What I said is that if a person should happen to lose their passport, then they could go to the embassy and obtain a replacement.
Please quote me as to where I ever advised "lying to a federal agents and fraudulently obtaining a replacement passport." This I did not say. But if you can quote me as having said so, then point us to where I did.
If you can't quote those words to me, then please shut the fuck up and go back to touting penny stocks of companies in bankruptcy. Thank you.
Lie? My dear Moore, did you miss out on those reading comprehension classes? What I said is that if a person should happen to lose their passport, then they could go to the embassy and obtain a replacement.
Please quote me as to where I ever advised "lying to a federal agents and fraudulently obtaining a replacement passport." This I did not say. But if you can quote me as having said so, then point us to where I did.
If you can't quote those words to me, then please shut the fuck up and go back to touting penny stocks of companies in bankruptcy. Thank you.What I have said three times now is that your silly advice to obtain a replacement passport in order to attempt to avoid visa overstay detection is very stupid. It seemed pertinent to point this out since you are now giving other words of "wisdom" regarding customs.
Do you think that you might have to answer a few basic questions upon requesting a replacement US passport at the embassy such as "when did you arrive to Argentina" and "when are you leaving"? "You realize, sir, that your visa expired three days ago and your obtaining a replacement passport has no affect on this". DUH! "Exactly when and where did you lose your passport, sir?" More questions. *stutter*
Do you think that Argentine customs magically deletes your entry/exit records when/if you get a replacement US passport? You will at least get caught by them and then you can possibly try your "show me a sworn statement or get out of my way you dumb motherfucker" act with the authorities in a foreign country.
But hey I'm just a layman what do I know.
Was for me to bother paying attention to what you have to say. I won't make that mistake again. :)
Not to rehash this boring thread, but I am about to have two paperback travel books sent to me in my monthly DHL shipment from the states. I definitely want to avoid the customs fiasco of a few months ago. Has anyone had a problem with importing a few books?
By the way I was checking out the Yahoo BA chat site, and the customs jackasses continue to snare the unsuspecting. This time for kid's toys!
Here in Mar del Plata I've imported books on several occasions, through Amazon and other sources. Always had to open the parcel at the PO when I went to collect it, show them the contents, and walked away without paying a penny. Should be the same anywhere, but this is Argentina after all.
Thanks for the feedback SteveC. I'll try my luck with it. The books are not packaged singly, and loose in a bigger package with letters, etc. I think I'll be ok, but as you note, don't count your chickens.
Here in Mar del Plata I've imported books on several occasions, through Amazon and other sources. Always had to open the parcel at the PO when I went to collect it, show them the contents, and walked away without paying a penny. Should be the same anywhere, but this is Argentina after all.
Doggboy,
It seems like SteveC did have to "clear" arriving books with some type of official before taking possesion. The books didn't go directly to his door without inspection like document packs do.
Maybe the process is just a lot easier in Mar Del Plata than in BsAs. If you're that far away in provincia, they probably let you clear the item locally in some little office. It's hard to believe they'd make someone from several hundred miles away go to Ezeiza for a package.
A friend of mine from the states mailed me some textbooks and declared their value as $100 US. They were new books and that was probably quite close to their cost in the open market, maybe a bit high. Probably I could have bought them for $85. She sent them via the US Postal Service. I got charged a customs duty of 50% of the $100 declared value. Shit. OK, fair enough I guess.
Now what really pissed me off was I was also charged 50% of the $46 Express Mail postage. What the FUCK? That does not seem kosher. Also and under the general heading of bend over, I was charged 17 pesos by the Argentinean postal service for? I have no idea but allegedly related to the foreign origin of the package.
This contrasts quite unfavorably with the exact same situation in May where the exact same person sent me textbooks through the exact same channel and no customs duties were charged. I thought about rejecting the shipment and telling them to go %$#&*& themselves but it was a new edition of the text so I thought it might be important. Turns out it was not and I could well have survived without it.
Live and learn. Now the Argentinean government has 237 pesos that I would otherwise have "pumped into the economy" by pumping a couple of hookers.
Thanks for the additional input. It looks like a crapshoot to me. I think I'll have them sent in the package that does NOT include my tax return.
I ship items via USPS to overseas. I usually mark "Gift" on a little green sticker, a Custom Label Form, and then check "Value" as -0-.
See what happens if your friend mails a package this way.
Strad.
A friend of mine from the states mailed me some textbooks and declared their value as $100 US. They were new books and that was probably quite close to their cost in the open market, maybe a bit high. Probably I could have bought them for $85. She sent them via the US Postal Service. I got charged a customs duty of 50% of the $100 declared value. Shit. OK, fair enough I guess.
Now what really pissed me off was I was also charged 50% of the $46 Express Mail postage. What the FUCK? That does not seem kosher. Also and under the general heading of bend over, I was charged 17 pesos by the Argentinean postal service for ???? I have no idea but allegedly related to the foreign origin of the package.
This contrasts quite unfavorably with the exact same situation in May where the exact same person sent me textbooks through the exact same channel and no customs duties were charged. I thought about rejecting the shipment and telling them to go %$#&*& themselves but it was a new edition of the text so I thought it might be important. Turns out it was not and I could well have survived without it.
Live and learn. Now the Argentinean government has 237 pesos that I would otherwise have "pumped into the economy" by pumping a couple of hookers.
Doggboy,
It seems like SteveC did have to "clear" arriving books with some type of official before taking possesion. The books didn't go directly to his door without inspection like document packs do.
Maybe the process is just a lot easier in Mar Del Plata than in BsAs. If you're that far away in provincia, they probably let you clear the item locally in some little office. It's hard to believe they'd make someone from several hundred miles away go to Ezeiza for a package.After the postman delivers the note to my door, I go to the main post office of the city, where they have a separate customs office. These customs guys open the parcel, see the books and say OK, take 'em away. Must have done this 7/8 times now. On the other hand, they're pretty hot on anything else. I sold a camera on ebay once and it was returned by the buyer and I still had to pay tax on my own goods. I did negotiate him down to half of what he originally demanded, another reminder of where I live.
I have heard all kinds of stories about AR customs at the airport. But for the most part I can't complain. But last year I had someone bring with them about $3,000 US worth of machinery parts to be used or a job we were doing. For the most part these items were not available in AR hence the need to bring them in from the US. The individual had all the required documentation including the original supplier invoices. I was told the tax would be 45% on the invoiced value. This is want I was charge on a previous time when I was the carrier. Because of this I told him to bring an extra $1,500 for custom charges. And $1,000 for me (I was running low and still had a few weeks to go)
Well customs posted their own value on the parts (like they would know) And the hit for 100% tax plus a fine. Fine for what? He declared it all. He called me at the AR office and told me they wanted $3,500 and every time he questioned something the # went up. I met him at the airport with the my company's agent. We told him we had $2,500 in cash. So if it was going to be more we would have to use a credit card. He came back 2 hours later and said they had reached an agreement. Guess what the total cost was. That's right $2,500 exactly. I still wonder how much my own agent got out of the deal.
A friend of mine from the states mailed me some textbooks and declared their value as $100 US. They were new books and that was probably quite close to their cost in the open market, maybe a bit high. Probably I could have bought them for $85. She sent them via the US Postal Service. I got charged a customs duty of 50% of the $100 declared value. Shit. OK, fair enough I guess.
Now what really pissed me off was I was also charged 50% of the $46 Express Mail postage. What the FUCK? That does not seem kosher. Also and under the general heading of bend over, I was charged 17 pesos by the Argentinean postal service for? I have no idea but allegedly related to the foreign origin of the package.
This contrasts quite unfavorably with the exact same situation in May where the exact same person sent me textbooks through the exact same channel and no customs duties were charged. I thought about rejecting the shipment and telling them to go %$#&*& themselves but it was a new edition of the text so I thought it might be important. Turns out it was not and I could well have survived without it.
Live and learn. Now the Argentinean government has 237 pesos that I would otherwise have "pumped into the economy" by pumping a couple of hookers.
As I posted on this thread a while back, when they get you over a barrel here, you will get fucked. I okayed my shipment today from the US, used Fedex for this shipment rather than DHL, as my experiences with DHL have been consistently bad. I fully expect problems, but if I lose a couple of travel books, not that big a deal. Since I don't bet on sports anymore, apparently this shipment situation has taken it's place.:)
I have heard all kinds of stories about AR customs. At the airport. But for the most part I can't complain. But last year I had someone bring with them about $3,000 US worth of machinery parts to be used or a job we were doing. For the most part these items were not available in AR hence the need to bring them in from the US. The individual had all the required documentation including the original supplier invoices. I was told the tax would be 45% on the invoiced value. This is want I was charge on a previous time when I was the carrier. Because of this I told him to bring an extra $1,500 for custom charges. And $1,000 for me (I was running low and still had a few weeks to go)
Well customs posted their own value on the parts (like they would know) And the hit for 100% tax plus a fine. Fine for what? He declared it all. He called me at the AR office and told me they wanted $3,500 and every time he questioned something the # went up. I met him at the airport with the my company's agent. We told him we had $2,500 in cash. So if it was going to be more we would have to use a credit card. He came back 2 hours later and said they had reached an agreement. Guess what the total cost was. That's right $2,500 exactly. I still wonder how much my own agent got out of the deal.
I've been informed today by Fedex that I must hire a customs broker to get a shipment out of customs. A first for me with Fedex. All because of some microcassettes that were sent along with documents in this shipment. That has never been an issue in the past as I always paid Fedex at the door.
If anyone has a broker they can recommend, PM me. Much appreciated!
I've been informed today by Fedex that I must hire a customs broker to get a shipment out of customs. A first for me with Fedex. All because of some microcassettes that were sent along with documents in this shipment. That has never been an issue in the past as I always paid Fedex at the door.
If anyone has a broker they can recommend, PM me. Much appreciated!Look in the yellow pages for a "despachante de aduana". Good luck, and let us know what your experiences are.
Look in the yellow pages for a "despachante de aduana". Good luck, and let us know what your experiences are.I would try calling Fedex in the states (or other origin country). Part of Fedex service is customs clearance. I have had UPS Argentina try to bill for customs until I got the USA office involved. I know a customs attorney in BA who is well connected but it might not be worth it. PM for details.
I would try calling Fedex in the states (or other origin country). Part of Fedex service is customs clearance. I have had UPS Argentina try to bill for customs until I got the USA office involved. I know a customs attorney in BA who is well connected but it might not be worth it. PM for details.Thanks for the input. I've been told I might be able to avoid a customs broker, but I won't know unless I trek out to Ezeiza tomorrow with one of my gatos to translate. A day of fucking and trying to avoid getting "fucked".
Silver Star
09-12-11, 18:54
Thanks for the input. I've been told I might be able to avoid a customs broker, but I won't know unless I trek out to Ezeiza tomorrow with one of my gatos to translate. A day of fucking and trying to avoid getting "fucked".Let me know if you would like to go in and back with me to EZE tomorrow. Will make a deal for you since it will be R / T.
I do need to be in the city tomorrow by 3PM or so.
Fred.
www.silverstarcar.com
Hey Dogg,
I've dealt with nearly identical situations before (CDs, not tapes).
Here's a repost of how DHL automatically handles these situations.
However, I've also know people to go to the Custom's impound warehouse at EZE to personally negotiate the ransom for the release of their package, generally getting off lighter than originally demanded. For example, there is NO import tariff on used books, but you'll have to have them open the package, watch them examine the contents, and then you'll need to demonstrate that the books are in fact used, ostensibly by examining their physical condition.
Thanks,
Jackson.
I've had my USA mail (including credit cards) forwarded to me herein BA via DHL every month for the past 6 years.
I can track the envelope en route, including seeing when it's cleared Customs, and it gets delivered to my doorman who texts me on delivery and has it waiting for me at the building's front desk.
Twice in the past 6 years, when somebody sent me a DVD / CD or a book, Customs has held the envelope, in which case DHL instead delivered a standard Customs invoice which essentially states that I can come to the Custom's impound depot at EZE and argue the applicability of any import taxes, or I can just give the DHL courier $135 pesos to pay Customs to settle the entire matter. I leave the funds with my doorman, he gives it to the DHL courier the next day, and the following day my envelope is delivered, unopened.
The first time I did this, I observed on the invoice that $50 pesos of the $135 pesos was a DHL fee for the service, the remaining $85 pesos apparently being Custom's default import tax on unopened packages displaying outward evidence of a hard object inside, either a DVD / CD, or a book, etc. As generally reluctant as I am to succumb to such nuisance fees, it's still cheaper than making a trip to EZE to argue otherwise.
I've also used DHL to send envelopes to the USA on several occasions, their rates being generally half of what FedX wants for the same service. Interestingly, the DHL agents always insist on examining the contents of my outgoing envelopes, not for security reasons, but because (as an agent told me one day after my repeated questioning) the Argentine Government requires it to prevent individuals from sending currency out of the country via third party shippers.
Thanks,
Jackson
Made it out to Ezeiza today accompanied by a girlfriend fluent in spanish. I would have been lost without her as she handled all of the interactions. A lot of hurry up and wait, shuttled back and forth to multiple offices, a ton of paperwork, but finally out after forking over $175p, and with my two Fedex boxes. A big hassle over a total of nine, count 'em 9, microcassettes. The process was made more hairy by my expired tourist visa and two "ultima prorrogas", but the girlfriend finessed it for me. Charming little devil.
I hired a driver recommended by "Silver Star" given SS was busy to get out to Ezeiza and back. More money, but not that much more, and worth it. Helluva nice Peugeot and the guy couldn't have been more accomodating.
A completely blown afternoon but all's well that ends well.
Dogg
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