CRC BooBoo

[Burts]

Hi guys.

 

I've recieved some bicycle parts form CRC today. They send the parts in 2 different parcels. When I went to pay the VAT, I got a small shock. The VAT amount that I figured (about 15.4% of the sale value) was exactly double that. When I looked into the matter, I saw that CRC put a copy of the original invoice in both parcels. That meant that Sweetness (whoever she is) at customs thought that both parcels was the invoice amount seperately. So customs charged me double for the original amount.

 

Does anybody know what I am about to do? Who should I contact? CRC or customs?

 

I am new in this import thing so any advice will be much appreciated.

[The_Break]

Hi guys.

 

I've recieved some bicycle parts form CRC today. They send the parts in 2 different parcels. When I went to pay the VAT, I got a small shock. The VAT amount that I figured (about 15.4% of the sale value) was exactly double that. When I looked into the matter, I saw that CRC put a copy of the original invoice in both parcels. That meant that Sweetness (whoever she is) at customs thought that both parcels was the invoice amount seperately. So customs charged me double for the original amount.

 

Does anybody know what I am about to do? Who should I contact? CRC or customs?

 

I am new in this import thing so any advice will be much appreciated.

 

CRC should pay as customs works purely on contents of parcel according to the invoice. And, you will never convince them otherwise. CRC should pay, good luck! Bad situation.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

What (if I am correct) you are saying is your parcel was split in two, and a full invoice attached to each.?

 

If thats the case, this is actually quite normal practise, however you should recieve a packing slip somewhere attached to each of the boxes which will say somewhere on them "BOX 1 of 2" or similar, (sometimes its also reflected on the invoice but usually its the packing slip) and it will also tabulate what is inside each box, the two packing slips making up the single invoice.

 

For eg. basically -

 

Packing slip 0021 refers box 1 of 2

Contents - 1 X GIRO Helmet

1 X Michelin tyre

 

Packing slip 0022 refers box 2 of 2

Contents - 2 x 9 speed chains

1 x 12/24 rear cluster

 

Invoice reads - 1 x Giro Helmet, 1 x Michelin Tyre, 2 x 9 speed chains, 1 x 12/24 cluster.

 

If thats the case, take the copy documents to the post office manager and show them that you recieved only one shipment split into 2 boxes - not two shipments - They should issue a refund.

[patches]

I had a similar issue. My order was split into 2 boxes and when I went to collect at the Johannesburg International Mail Centre, they only gave me parcel 1 of 2. I knew everything was not in that box so I asked for 2 of 2 and stated that I had paid duty on it. They insisted I get another tracking number for it (as CRC had only sent me one). I camped out on their waiting chairs for 2hrs pleading my case to various staff until one of them got up and went to look for 2 of 2 (which was a nuke proof wheel set... hard to miss. bright yellow big box).

 

Anyway, fortunately they understood that the customs declarations on each parcel were identical and for the whole shipment. I did however have to pay 2x the R25 dispatch fee.

 

But yeah... hope you come/came right?!