tsk3009 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 On August 1, 2015, I was supposed to receive two product samples from XYZ Company shipped on July 28, 2015 with UPS from Europe to Chiang Mai, Thailand. On July 29, 2015, I received an email from UPS Thailand listing a breakdown of charges as follows: - Customs formality charges 1,284.00 Baht - Warehouse fee 94 Baht per day until the shpt can release ( minimum charges is 321.00Baht) - Terminal charges 300.00 Baht. - Customs Permit 42.80 Baht. - Customs fee 267.50 Baht - Import duty will be informed again after the customs assessed the duty It should be noted that the import duty is the only real charge here. Fedex charged me before only 5% for import duty and 7% customs VAT. However, my UPS package was a product sample with no value, hence all the other bullshit fees UPS conjured up. I called UPS Customs to ask what the problem was because I had received 3 packages in the previous month with Fedex, one of which had more than 5 times as many food product samples than the package sent through UPS and never was there a hold up at Thai Customs and the Fedex customs and duty forms also had the words food ingredients written on them. A UPS supervisor named XXX insisted many times that I needed to register with Thai Customs and then apply for a license with the Thai FDA for the product. An FDA license to receive two small samples? First of all, neither product samples nor any small quantities of non-perishable food items for personal use need to registered with the Thai FDA according to the Thai FDA website (http://www.fda.moph.go.th/eng/food/details/apply.stm). I was told the same by an employee at the food division of the FDA and another employee at the FDAs airport office. I asked XXX twice how she could not know this piece of general information and she never responded. Furthermore, the licensing process with the Thai FDA takes months. So I would essentially need to wait months to receive these product samples if what she were saying was true. So there is no possible way that she didnt know this being a customs supervisor. I asked XXX in an email if I was to receive a candy bar from the USA if I had to register with Thai Customs and apply for a license with the Thai FDA and she didnt respond. I asked her later over the phone and she said that I would need to. So obviously shes clever enough not to respond to me with these untrue statements in emails but only over the phone. It makes me believe that this is something recurring. XXX also insisted that I must pay all the fees, including the warehouse fees which shouldnt exist in the first place and the customs formality charges levied by UPS. Fedex here in Thailand didnt suspend my products and didnt charge me for this. Moreover, the Thailand UPS website states that routine customs clearance [is] automatically included in all UPS air service rates. So why do I need to pay this formality charge? I also asked XXX this in an email and again she didnt respond. The result of this deceit to get me to pay a bunch of unnecessary fees caused the shipment of my product to be delayed for at least one week as I have still not received the package and I have charges that are still being incurred. I am sure I am not the first person to be charged all these fees and hassled by UPS Thailand Customs office for a package that should so obviously slide through customs. My Thai friends have told me that these types of scams are common in Thailand with some Thais often trying and successfully ripping off foreigners. I just didnt expect it from UPS, an American multinational. If youre in the same boat sound off! ****Names edited out*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeijoshinCool Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Between UPS, Fed Ex, and the post office, the only way to ship into Thailand is the latter. I've had shipped numerous boxes through the USPS/Thai Post, of various sizes and never, not once, has the shipment been held up or any money demanded. Having said that, I always wrote the address in both English (official doc) and Thai (taped on side), and both the sender and receiver had (made up) Thai names. While I've heard of many who didn't write the address in Thai, and also experienced no problems, I always figure "an ounce of prevention …." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surangw Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I wonder what happens to all the stuff people abandon at their warehouse rather than pay the extortion ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelepulse Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Tell UPS they can keep it, then have a new shipment sent over using another method. Once they find out they're not going to get anything out of you, they'll either change their tune or readjust their fees.( This is all assuming product samples aren't worth very much). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsk3009 Posted August 6, 2015 Author Share Posted August 6, 2015 Using Thai names, ingenious. I will actually ask them that for fun surangw, but let me reassure you they won't respond. The samples aren't worth much but I absolutely need them and it's super inconvenient. That sounds like a good idea before I ask the manufacturer to send another same except using the postal service and a fake Thai name. It's funny, once I exposed all of XXX lies and sent a complaint to the head office, some other random person just sent me an email asking to pay as if nothing had happened. I was sure to add XXX email address to the response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannot Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 you live in a country which finds blatant lying the norm, even when its right in their face they just keep on doing it, they have no shame from top to bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fey Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 open a UPS account online and have things shipped using your account number. It's free. i believe all fees will get creditied to your account. then you can choose to pay or not. it's easier to remove tags and ship local. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FritsSikkink Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Using Thai names, ingenious. I will actually ask them that for fun surangw, but let me reassure you they won't respond. The samples aren't worth much but I absolutely need them and it's super inconvenient. That sounds like a good idea before I ask the manufacturer to send another same except using the postal service and a fake Thai name. It's funny, once I exposed all of XXX lies and sent a complaint to the head office, some other random person just sent me an email asking to pay as if nothing had happened. I was sure to add XXX email address to the response. How will you collect the goods on a fake name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeijoshinCool Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Using Thai names, ingenious. I will actually ask them that for fun surangw, but let me reassure you they won't respond. The samples aren't worth much but I absolutely need them and it's super inconvenient. That sounds like a good idea before I ask the manufacturer to send another same except using the postal service and a fake Thai name. It's funny, once I exposed all of XXX lies and sent a complaint to the head office, some other random person just sent me an email asking to pay as if nothing had happened. I was sure to add XXX email address to the response. How will you collect the goods on a fake name? . He doesn't have to "collect" the goods. The post office simply delivers them to the address on the label. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsk3009 Posted August 7, 2015 Author Share Posted August 7, 2015 Come to think of it, I think the best way to fight this corruption is to inform online vendors themselves. I know online retailer iherb.com no longer ships anything to Thailand except via the postal service. Businesses and online retailers need to be informed of this so that these corrupt couriers are get a comeuppance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzasore Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Take someone from the Army with you when you go to collect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneday Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 you live in a country which finds blatant lying the norm, even when its right in their face they just keep on doing it, they have no shame from top to bottom. After living here for 6 years I can confirm the absolute accuracy of this statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish fingers Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 sounds worst than the post office 'extra' customs charges in the UK.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overherebc Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 UPS. Had to pay approx 90% of value. First and last time used. Royal Mail tracked and signed. Paid 7 yes seven baht to postman. Gave him 13 baht tip. Both packages from UK . Small bike engine parts about 100 UK pound value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey346 Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I do video reviews for a US Tech Forum. I have Smartphones shipped to me every month. 90% are shipped DHL as these phone manufactures have unbeatable rates with them. Last month I received 2 phones. The first arrived with no customs or VAT fees. The second phone has B950 in fees. I called DHL and asked why. I was told my first delivery was valued at $30. and the second at $60. The DHL rep stated that $30. is the no fee threshold. I told her according to Custom regulations, there is no duty on computer products and Mobile Phones are listed in that category. I added that the package was marked as a sample and VAT should not be charged as well. She did remove all the charges including DHL charges for processing the package, but would not remove the VAT charge. I do agree that the carriers to implement these charges to make money. I also believe that I was credited due to the number of shipments I received and who they come from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colabamumbai Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 (edited) As stated Thai Post or post to Thailand in general is the way to go. The post office gives you a receipt, the money is accounted for and they are a very honest in a country where few are. Over 5 years Thai Post has done a perfect job for me. Edited August 7, 2015 by Colabamumbai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey346 Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 As stated Thai Post or post to Thailand in general is the way to go. The post office gives you a receipt, the money is accounted for and they are a very honest in a country where few are. Over 5 years Thai Post has done a perfect job for me. I agree. I send most of the phones to the US as we use them for Forum contests and always send them via the Thai Post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maderaroja Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Between UPS, Fed Ex, and the post office, the only way to ship into Thailand is the latter. I've had shipped numerous boxes through the USPS/Thai Post, of various sizes and never, not once, has the shipment been held up or any money demanded. Having said that, I always wrote the address in both English (official doc) and Thai (taped on side), and both the sender and receiver had (made up) Thai names. While I've heard of many who didn't write the address in Thai, and also experienced no problems, I always figure "an ounce of prevention …." Australia Post is also reliable, but Oz merchants will not use them. In the U.S., the Post Office is reliable, but many merchants will not use them. Thai Post is reliable, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maderaroja Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Come to think of it, I think the best way to fight this corruption is to inform online vendors themselves. I know online retailer iherb.com no longer ships anything to Thailand except via the postal service. Businesses and online retailers need to be informed of this so that these corrupt couriers are get a comeuppance. Vendors do not care and are not interested in what works here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chao Lao Beach Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 UPS will also have a 200b delivery charge, wait for it. Then the actual delivery guy wont let you hand it over and sign for it till you give him a 200b cash bribe, even when you record it openly. Worse is the no reply from a complaint to UPS. Have a better history with Fedex in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaurene Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I would not be arsed over the 1,000bt, it would have ended up a lot cheaper if you paid the 1,000. You got the samples for free are you expecting every thing free Man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey346 Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I would not be arsed over the 1,000bt, it would have ended up a lot cheaper if you paid the 1,000. You got the samples for free are you expecting every thing free Man. This has nothing to due with the merchandise being free or the costs. It's the principal. It' morons like you that allows them to keep getting away with ripping everyone off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsk3009 Posted August 7, 2015 Author Share Posted August 7, 2015 I would not be arsed over the 1,000bt, it would have ended up a lot cheaper if you paid the 1,000. You got the samples for free are you expecting every thing free Man. The package was received last Wednesday, which they immediately detained the because they falsely claimed it needed all the registration nonsense. So add all the other fees plus 5 days in the warehouse because of the 4 day weekend. Then I had to run around and figure out how to register with Customs, which I didn't need to do in actuality. That was a UPS lie. I contacted the FDA once I suspected that this was all a bag of lies and they confirmed it. That took about a week in total. 2 days since then. In total 100 USD. I was never given the option to pay the only 1284 baht plus the other non-warehouse bullshit fees, UPS automatically put it in the warehouse based on false pretenses, saying I needed all this registration and that they would do the registration themselves if I paid the fees. The thing is, there was no registration I need to do with customs and the FDA. It was all a bag of lies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thailandforumaddict Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Just landed ? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash999 Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I had to mess around with FDA crap as I received a care package from my family for my wife and I. My sister had included one tube of cheap lipstick and because it's a cosmetic item I was advised that it was causing an issue. But the resolution was to fill out some sort of FDA declaration form, which after duly submitting and paying assorted fees I received my package. Sending things via courier is hit and miss. Sometimes things sail straight through. Sometimes they're hit with insane duty valuations. I think it's down to the random checking by customs and also the personal relationships between the courier clearance agent and customs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibbler Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 This is the reason people choose to do business in Malaysia instead of Thailand. Too many informal fees, payments and charges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsk3009 Posted August 7, 2015 Author Share Posted August 7, 2015 Just landed ? :-) Humor appreciated. I knew Thailand was corrupt but surprised an American multinational could be so corrupt in it's interactions with customers. And surprised that UPS HQ doesn't care. To me this is like going to McDonalds and ordering a Big Mac meal and being given a Big Mac missing a supposedly all-beef patty and the special sauce and then having the cashier tell you you can't have all your change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsk3009 Posted August 7, 2015 Author Share Posted August 7, 2015 This is the reason people choose to do business in Malaysia instead of Thailand. Too many informal fees, payments and charges I am now one of those people. I was considering doing business here but leaning towards Malaysia, but now doing business here is out of the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldBattles Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 This is a scam that has been going on for many years with Fedex, UPS and DHL. Every time you use these couriers you are going to get screwed. Of course they have to pay the people who enforce the fake charges. This is an ongoing scam between the customs and the couriers. Your only hope is to use the postal system However, USPS shipping fees are now equal to the couriers you just don't have to go through the scam BS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyfez Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Yes. I've had similar problems with UPS Thailand. I usually ship to my address in China, and never a problem. If I ship to Bangkok I usually use Fedex like you. I was sent some samples (like you they were almost valueless) and got the same story. You learn very quickly that losing your temper here in Thailand does you no favours, but it took me several phone calls, and three trips to the UPS office in Savurnabhumi to get it sorted. Like you I got a whole list of charges, a pat on the back saying 'we're doing you a big favour by letting you have this', and paid cash. Then the following month I got an invoice for the import duty...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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