Originally Posted by gatsbygirl8 (Post 9576086)

Why are some people charged customs fees and others not? Bad luck?

Originally Posted by gatsbygirl8 (Post 9576086)

Sorry to butt into your thread, but I'm confused by this. When our stuff shipped, it cleared customs without a penny charged. We paid a one time fee of $2000 to our shipping company upfront before we moved and that was it. Our shipment arrived at our door about 4 months later. Why are some people charged customs fees and others not? Bad luck?

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 9576122)

I suppose it's like some travellers have their luggage searched at the airport and some get to walk straight through.

Originally Posted by le10 (Post 9576037)

Finally came out of Customs today. Total bill $4,500 approx. :thumbdown:

Originally Posted by Gerber (Post 9568289)

This just happened to our stuff, however, I spoke to a legal friend of mine and he suggested I pose the following questions to my shipping company about the "costs" involved.

Firstly, I called Customs myself (armed with container information) and asked the status of my shipment. I found out my stuff had already been released by Customs (after a full physical examination) even though my shipper stated it hadn't cleared and was supposedly accruing storage charges. So, based on that info, my shipper couldn't tack on unnecessary charges (ie. storage, etc) and claim it had been sitting waiting for a Customs release.

Secondly, he suggested I demand an itemization with supporting documentation from the shipper in writing for the "costs". When I initially asked the shipper the status of my container they tried to tell me "as of this moment" you owe XX amount. The final bill, which I received yesterday was less than the figure they originally gave me. Go figure. :rolleyes:

I don't know when your container arrived, but mine landed on July 27, clearing Customs on Aug. 8 after both a VACIS and full physical examination. Total cost to me was $1600...no, I'm not thrilled about it, however, I do feel if I hadn't chased up my shipper, they would've fleeced me with extra costs. They tried to tell me the same as you, so it might be worth checking up on it?

Good luck - I hope things work out for you.

PS-I'm worried about the state of my items also. I heard that Customs contracts companies out to do the physical exam...fingers crossed my stuff is still there/intact. At least I have the docs of the company who performed it, so I can file a report...geez.

Originally Posted by Roys (Post 9845327)

so is this scam common? how can you stop it or get the money back??

Originally Posted by Roys (Post 9845615)

how can i tell if my firm is or is not going to rip me off???:unsure:

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 9845723)

By either getting ripped off or not...

But there is a reason that I recommend folks find out who gets contracted to do the local side of things and to then search them out on the movingscam website, no guarantee either way, but it's a good way of seeing who you should at least avoid.

Originally Posted by Roys (Post 9845836)

not moving much so thinking about DHL / fed-ex they do both ends but if not how do i find out who the american carrier will be?

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 9845925)

Well if you're using one of those carriers, it won't be a problem...if you're using a mover, who'll bung stuff in a container etc, you'd ask them who they contract.