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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.:)
[QUOTE=Jbrlovers]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.[/QUOTE]
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Broker needed
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!
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[QUOTE=Doggboy; 419245]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![/QUOTE]Look in the yellow pages for a "despachante de aduana". Good luck, and let us know what your experiences are.
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[QUOTE=Seaman;419247]Look in the yellow pages for a "despachante de aduana". Good luck, and let us know what your experiences are.[/QUOTE]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.
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[QUOTE=Jabone;419248]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.[/QUOTE]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".
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[QUOTE=Doggboy;419249]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".[/QUOTE]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.
[url]www.silverstarcar.com[/url]
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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.
[QUOTE=Jackson; 419029]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[/QUOTE]
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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