RS - no Customs Tariff Codes listed on outside of package

[Kaspaas]

Hi,

For us South Africans RS is creating a lot of issues and unwarranted costss by not providing a Customs Tariff Code very visible on the out side of the packages

See http://nvdd.info/UH7bsk for a discussion of issues and costs created by this.

RS only stated on the outside of package I received Pounds 26 and "PI& Accessories"

The South African customs official converted this to code 6117.80 which apparently is for some kind of clothing and other accesories under that heading - and it seems I got charged 40% customs duty and 14% VAT added to this.

My estimate is that the ommission by RS cost me around UK Pounds 14 - which is a substantial chunck of the cost of the Pi.

I'm trying to speak to the customs people, but they are no different than any customs department in the world...

[jamesh]

What should the tax rate be on computer components?

[Kaspaas]

What should the tax rate be on computer components?

Hi James,

I'm not an expert on this issue - but reading the sheets, I guess between 0 and 10%.

I'll try to find out. But RS's office in South Africa should be able to assist the best.

I just spoke to the South African Post Office International Services Department.

The process is to return the package to the post office where I received it and complete and avidavit. They then need to return it to the central international packages node for re-evaluation...

Given this is subject to the service levels of Africa, even worse, South Africa, I think I will have to carry the loss on this one

I actually was amazed that the package did arrive via our postal system

BTW: We have a joke that the key function of X-Ray scanners for luggage at airports is for the criminals to know which cases has the most valuable content. A RaspberryPi would have looked valuabel under the X-Rays

[Kaspaas]

I have to add:

I would like to order a Model A as well as camera as soon as these are available.

I trust the shipping will then happen without any problems

[Vic@RS]

Hi Kaspaas,

Thankyou for the feedback. Please accept our sincerest apologies for the issue you have experienced. I have spoken with our shipping department who inform me that DHL require the 'Pi & Accessories' title on all orders that include more than just a Pi. Every order for Rest Of World Post has to have the CN22 as a requirement.
Our orders are being sent by DHL mail so the best people to speak to on this is either DHL or customs to understand why the taxation rate is not what you expected.
If you do receive further issues with this please do not hestitate to email us on raspberrypi@rswww.com where our customer services team can try to help.

Thanks
Vic@RS

[Kaspaas]

Hi Vic,

there is space on the customs form pasted by RS on the front of the package for the sender declaration of the Tariff Code - right next to the declaration of the value of the content. I believe the code is an international standard - and should be the same no matter to which country the package is
sent.

Please ask the shipping guys to complete this as well They should have the correct code at hand, and it will make life so much easier.

DHL hands the package over to the South African Post Office.

I already spoke to them...the procedure is to return the package for re-assesment which could take quite some time - and there is a real risk of the package going astray to the never-never problem pile

Service levels overhere are not like they are in the UK

Yes, there is a way to reclaim the excess in theory. In practice it is useless unless it is for ZAR-thousands.

[Kaspaas]

I updated my blog with more info on this issue - see http://nvdd.info/VYuvBa
The key question: Is RS going to jack up there service levels or not?

If RS is not prepared to complete the Customs Declaration Forms properly, I won'n be prepared to do any other business with them in future.

The current attitude of RS is simply causing far to much hassles.

[jamesh]

I updated my blog with more info on this issue - see http://nvdd.info/VYuvBa
The key question: Is RS going to jack up there service levels or not?

If RS is not prepared to complete the Customs Declaration Forms properly, I won'n be prepared to do any other business with them in future.

The current attitude of RS is simply causing far to much hassles.

Are you sure RS are in the wrong here? It seems to me that their attitude here is spot on. They have looked in to it, and have applied the code as they seem to be required to do, ie. Pi + Accessories. Which won't have the same code as Pi by itself. I am guessing that customs are applying import duty as required since there are accessories in the box, as well as the Pi itself. RS are not allowed to misrepresent the contents of the box.

[Kaspaas]

Hi James,

the block where the code needs to be filled in was left BLANK - Pi & accesories is not the code - it should have been something like 8542.31 - or a note "see invoice for HS tariff headings" and all items could be declared properly.

I've imported via Amazon USA - also multiple items - and had no issues at all.

Customs were able to identify the appropriate codes at the blink of an eye.

Major lesson: Don't import different items in a single consignment from the UK..

[crrodriguez]

Same problem here in Chile, I have to pay 45 USD more to get my PI.