Last December 21, I ordered a Revoltech ARX-8 Laevatein (Full Metal Panic) from Play-Asia.com. I used Fed-Ex as the shipping option since it is very much affordable that time (due to discounts) and there's tracking available. The package is worth US$40 all-in-all. I expected it to arrive safe and sound by December 23, good to go as a Christmas gift.
It arrived in the Philippines territory overnight. But worst things happened. I checked their tracking page and there's a message that goes "In Transit Clearance Delay". This is the time when I do a research the internet for answers on why this had happened. And to my surprise, it's not just me who experienced this, but also other people who ordered online. I have also seen some people who were taxed, by Customs 60%-100% of the value of their items, even if it is marked as gift or used items. This is the time when my heart pounds fast and I thought to myself, "Expect worst things to happen".
I called Fed-Ex multiple times during the holiday and they told me that my item is still on Customs and duties/taxes needs to be calculated. And again, prepare myself for outrageous taxes computations.
Honestly, before purchasing, I really do expect it to arrive in our place with no additional payments needs to be made since they are private courier company and Customs won't likely check on their items.
Monday, January 4 comes and we received a call from Fed-Ex. They told me that I need to pay Php2064.75 or a whopping $45. o_O That's over 100% of the total value I paid for my item. What a shame!I'm currently waiting for my money from Paypal to arrive this week before I will ask Fed-Ex to deliver my item. I will definitely check on the computations and post it here for you to see.
I do know it's their job to put taxes on imports but I think not this much. I have been working online and finding advertisers to my blog to earn money for my vices, which is toy collecting, and this is the outcome? Oh well, the damage on my wallet have been done and we can't get it back. At least I have learned a lesson. And the saying is indeed correct:Experience is the best teacher!
Lesson learned! I will never ever order online anymore. I don't wanna pay double on the items I buy online, even though it's on sale or offering free shipping (unless they are just here in the Philippines). And for you Filipino guys who want to order from any online store, may it be Play-Asia, HLJ or Amazon, see to it that you do some research first before placing your ordering. Check fellow users their experiences and see if you can handle those fees yourself.
If you guys really want those items, wait for at least a month or two after the release date and check your favorite hobby stores, like GreatToysOnline or WasabiToys. Although their prices are much more expensive than the original price given, at least, you don't need to bother waiting for your item to arrive or get lost in transit, plus, you don't need to pay outrageous taxes.
Please do visit these other pages for more stories like this:
Oops… Philippines Customs did it again
FedEx and the insane Philippines Customs Taxes
Update:
I have already received my item from FedEx. The receipt says:
Php315 for Custom Forms and Stamps
Php927 for duties and taxes (no actual computation given)
Php825 for Storage Fee, this includes Php336 release fee (what?)
The FedEx guy said that it's not their fault. It's on Bureau Of Customs. It seems to them that Customs already changed their rules about stuffs just this December. The company already receives lots of complains from many people about this "outrageous taxes" Customs give. Last time, taxable is above $100. Nowadays, after the new rule, taxable items are now above $10.
Wow! That's pretty much insane! Who will be the one ordering or importing items worth $10? The shipping is far more expensive than the actual item.
Anyways, I hope they could read all of this and give us a good and fair explanation of these things.
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Bumili ako sa Yesasia ng 3 CDs and Tax ko is 500. delivered by DHL. Pero yung inorder ko pa na ibang cds na pinadala via Post office, (16CDs). 70Pesos lang ang binayaran ko.
It's elections time this year so expect taxes to surge upwards because our dearest politicians will be using it for their campaign :D
but anyways, file a complaint in their head office :) i think the higher-ups could help you. or get media people too (XXX, imbestigador, if you know those shows)
Sounds familiar, here's the same as I told you. That's why I call these guys "thief", because they charge you a shitload of extra money, PLUS they keep your packet various days in customes to check how many money they can steal you.
Same here, I was taxed php9564 for my HTC Desire. I paid this morning but it was not delivered. I just hope I won't be charged for storage fee.
@antz
As far on my experience, storage fee is Php800++. And it's included in the tax you paid.
Either you are stupid or you are lazy. You are stupid for believing everything Fedex told you. Look at the breakdown they gave you: Customs Forms is 315 which is mandatory those are covered by Department of Finance regulation, Customs Duties is 927 and this is based on the amount you paid the store plus the Fedex freight charge. As for the Fedex storage charge, you could have protested because your shipment is DOOR TO DOOR. Fedex Storage charge is NOT a customs charge, it goes to Fedex obviously. So why do you blame customs? Minimum value? Nope, the Tariff Code says that anything above 50 pesos is subject to tax. This is where you got lazy - you did not bother to inquire the taxation consequences of ordering online. As they say, when you are pointing an accusing finger at somebody, the rest of your fingers are pointing at you.
@IMHO by RJA
If that's so, how can you explain the other links that I have posted above?
I don't use FEDEX and DHL when I ship my product to Philippines..I don't know why they have to put storage charge and high taxes on the imported goods.
I recently received 2 successful shipments from Japan via EMS. No problems at all.
Ordered thru FedEx a laptop cooler that was not available here in PH,got taxed by DHL for 1.8k after paying 3k for the shipping....oh well...better use standard mail....it's longer but at least no tax or sort..
thanks man. i was on the process of purchasing online too.. well infact i have placed the order already, good thing i had an issue with my credit card..fuck those phil government officials really.
it was supposed to be a good purchase i was making..
could you guys help me anyway.. i need to buy a John Lennon Sunglasses..any color would do.. Black, red and blue preferred..
im never gonna do it online.. if i do i'll do it domestically.
tanx again for the blog
LOL! never happened to me before so I can't really sympathize. sorry. But then again, there is always the internet.
Lesson no. 1 always ask the supplier if they shipped on a DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) basis, which means that all relevant import taxes and duties will be included in the product price. Which means the supplier already computed the product's actual tax and therefore is not subject to custom charges.
If not then they mostly shipped your purchase on DDU basis, duties and taxes unpaid, and international taxes will be applied and customs will mostly take advantage on this seeing that it was shipped outside of asia and in USD.
IT IS BETTER TO ASK FIRST because most online stores cannot predict what a particular charges may be if shipped internationally.
I once purchase online and was shipped from US. My actual purchase order was 35.83 usd, shipping and handling 51.67 and the Duty and VAT was 18.55 usd = 842 php. See, knowing this I was given a choice if I was prepared to actually order this product and pay this ridiculously expensive shipping and handling price. In the end I settled to look for it rigorously in Japan and was blessed by fair shipping cost and was not charge for Duty and VAT because I asked the supplier if this is subject to vat and was informed not if marked as gift. hahaha!!!
I advice to shipped your package thru Royale international couriers. they are quite fair with charging you if your parcel is quite heavy. hehe! hope this helps!