parcel detention by customs

[ebungift]

hi,

i have read different oppions on this site and i decided to join to continue reading views that could help solve matters.

i order some items from hong kong and it arrived in south africa.when i track it today it shows that its in "detention". now i'm so confused on what that implies.

 

PARCEL TRACKING RESULTS Item Number: RI280089129ZA was last scanned on: 10:09 at 2014/12/12 Location last scanned: JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB) Currently has status of: Detention Notice Signed For By: JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB)

TYPE DATE LOCATION Detention Notice 2014/12/12 10:09 JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB) To Customs 2014/12/12 10:09 JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB) Incomming International 2014/11/23 06:27 JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB)

 

 

some one said to me i should go to present them with an invoice which i dont have except the western union money transfer i used for payment from south africa.i have called the hub's line forever.please has any one been in such situation before to please help?

thanks.

 

[EvanB]

Yes, you have to hang on until you get hold of someone and they will then give you their e-mail address so you can submit your invoice. They will then calculate the VAT and release to your post office where you cn pick up the parcel and pay the related costs

[Meezo]

There should be a fax number, the invoice or transfer thingy you refer fax that with a letter saying for them to deliver to your preferred post office. And then you will wait another 3-4 days.

 

Otherwise take that "invoice" with you to Customs they look at that to charge you duties, i roughly work on 15.6% depending on what it is I'm bringing in, mainly frames.

 

Remember the reason it is detained is because SARS can't justify/thumbsuck the price on the box(if there is one). So you need to tell/show them so they can tax you on it

[ebungift]

thanks for your views EvanB. I also share the opinion by Meezo that there should be a fax number. i kept pondering on how much vat will be calculated for items bought at 90US Dollars.

[EvanB]

thanks for your views EvanB. I also share the opinion by Meezo that there should be a fax number. i kept pondering on how much vat will be calculated for items bought at 90US Dollars.

tried that fax number and really battled but give it a try

[ebungift]

Thanks EvanB,but i dont have the fax number??? does any one has the fax number?thanks in anticipation.

 

tried that fax number and really battled but give it a try

Thanks EvanB,but i dont have the fax number??? does any one has the fax number?thanks in anticipation.

[FCH]

And once you have done that and you get the EMS tracking update.... "In transit" then you start with the next fun session...... 12 days & counting to get from jozi to cape town....

[Meezo]

Thanks EvanB,but i dont have the fax number??? does any one has the fax number?thanks in anticipation.

 

Thanks EvanB,but i dont have the fax number??? does any one has the fax number?thanks in anticipation.

Were you not sent a slip to your house, otherwise Google Jo'burg Sapo Customs. Should be a fax number there.

 

If its no inconvenience rather just go there, depends what you bought for $900. There's a thread with what to expect on different cycling items!

[ebungift]

Were you not sent a slip to your house, otherwise Google Jo'burg Sapo Customs. Should be a fax number there.

 

If its no inconvenience rather just go there, depends what you bought for $900. There's a thread with what to expect on different cycling items!

i appreciate you Meezo. Actually i didn't receive any slip at my house.i only follow up with the tracking to know that its in "Detention". everything i bought was only for 90us dollars not 900. however i will check for the fax via google if something will come up.thanks.

[ebungift]

And once you have done that and you get the EMS tracking update.... "In transit" then you start with the next fun session...... 12 days & counting to get from jozi to cape town....

fch,thanks . Am still working on how to get the fax number. thanks

[Jaco Roselt]

I normally send my invoice and tracking number to jimccustomerservices@postoffice.co.za

 

Or you can phone them on 011 9616006/7/8/9/10 or 011 961 6200

[Marnitz Nienaber]

Next time you order something from abroad ship it with DHL or a courier service available in South Africa at least you will have a contact number to phone and someone to answer.

 

Your courier tracking number will remain the same and will still go into detention.

 

Detention means that they need a HS tariff code to determine your import tax, HS codes varies for every country and you can look it up on : http://www.dutycalculator.com/

 

You need to phone the courier service with the HS code, they will verify it, you will pay the import tax + duty and then only will they release and deliver.

 

Bit more expensive but at least a contact number

[The Guy in Pink]

Try some of these Bejamen has been helpful in the past

International mail 011 961 6000 All other numbers are 011 – 961 6006/7/8/9/10/59/84.

 

Share Call number = 0860 111 502

 

Fax number = 086 558 8623

 

E-mail = blignab@sapo.co.za

 

Benjamen Blignaut [ben.Blignaut@postoffice.co.za]

[Six13]

I had a similar experience a few years ago. I found out that my parcel was at the Hub near OR Tambo Intl. I drove there and paid the VAT and collected my parcel. 

 

Not sure whether the Hub you mention is the same place, but maybe give it a try.

[ebungift]

@six13... I do appreciate. Actually it's the hub at or tambo am talking about. Please give me idea how to find the hub. It will be better i hit the road with my invoice, pay the vat and pick my parcel myself. Please just give direction to the hub from or tambo airport.