Item sent to customs

punkindrublic

Ordered clothing online and the tracking info on an post says:
Current Status

* ITEM SENT TO CUSTOMS * 06-Apr-10 *
Item History

*
Activity

Location

Date


* ITEM SENT TO CUSTOMS PORTLAOISE MAIL CENTRE CO LAOISE 06-Apr-10 *
* ON ROUTE TO CUSTOMER PORTLAOISE MAIL CENTRE CO LAOISE 06-Apr-10 *
* ITEM RECEIVED PORTLAOISE OVR CO LAOIS 06-Apr-10 *

Any clue what this means??

smallgarden

it might mean that youll get stung for custom charges

jor el

Import duty and VAT would be my first guess, and after that they could suspect they are counterfeit, and seize them.

punkindrublic

Thanks for clearing that up. Doubt they will suspect it's counterfeit goods since it's mostly clothes from forever 21,
lol. Will my package be held in customs & they send a letter or will it be dispatched to me & I pay the mailman? The package was sent via usps express if it makes any difference.

The outside of the box will say the amount I paid for the items on the customs declaration form so I was expecting to pay vat/duty anyways!

punkindrublic

It now says "item held by customs" (still in port Laois)
what does this mean?

Wats_in_a_name

held by customs means they need to examine it further. More than likely they'll open it up and confirm the invoice amount matches declared value.

punkindrublic

Ah think I'm screwed so. I had the items sent through a re-packing company who declared it lower. I assume customs will mail me a letter asking for original invoices?

VMNT

I am facing the same problem at the moment 'item held by customs' WTF ...

punkindrublic

VMNT wrote: »

I am facing the same problem at the moment 'item held by customs' WTF ...

How long has yours been held so far? Mine just arrived in port Laois yesterday morning, went to customs around 2pm yesterday and held this evening. I'm hoping they don't hold it for weeks

VMNT

2 days

VMNT

You can give them a ring @ 051 862850 between 9.00-12.30 & 2:00-4:00 Mon-Fri. I've been trying to call them for the past 2+ hours...

bryaner

UPS are a disaster when it comes to customs, I normally try to find an alternative method of shipping when buying stuff online..

punkindrublic

bryaner wrote: »

UPS are a disaster when it comes to customs, I normally try to find an alternative method of shipping when buying stuff online..

it was usps not ups! I had 2 packages delivered via ups around Xmas time, they were in my hands 4 days after I placed the orders! I chose usps this time because it was about $10 cheaper than fedex/ups and the handling fee was less too. Should have just stuck with them!

punkindrublic

VMNT wrote: »

You can give them a ring @ 051 862850 between 9.00-12.30 & 2:00-4:00 Mon-Fri. I've been trying to call them for the past 2+ hours...

Thanks! Will try calling them after 2

punkindrublic

No luck so far..

punkindrublic

VMNT wrote: »

You can give them a ring @ 051 862850 between 9.00-12.30 & 2:00-4:00 Mon-Fri. I've been trying to call them for the past 2+ hours...

Got through to them and the guy there said that usually when it says "item held by customs" means they are going to charge tax/duty and they just hold them for that. He told me it will take a few days for them to do it since they have a backlog

danindub

punkindrublic wrote: »

Got through to them and the guy there said that usually when it says "item held by customs" means they are going to charge tax/duty and they just hold them for that. He told me it will take a few days for them to do it since they have a backlog

any luck with that? when did you receive your item? how long was it in customs? did u have to pay ?

my item is with customs for last 2 days, I called them and they said they didn't even scan it in yet, because of the backlog...

ridicules, took 2 days to go through half of US, but can't get from Portlaoise to Dublin...

Will think twice next time before paying $100 for Express package to Ireland...

punkindrublic

danindub wrote: »

any luck with that? when did you receive your item? how long was it in customs? did u have to pay ?

my item is with customs for last 2 days, I called them and they said they didn't even scan it in yet, because of the backlog...

ridicules, took 2 days to go through half of US, but can't get from Portlaoise to Dublin...

Will think twice next time before paying $100 for Express package to Ireland...

My package stayed in customs 3 days total - one day of "item sent to customs" and 2 days of "item held by customs" it was released saturday morning and I recieved it on Monday morning, charges due were €44 including the post office fee (€6) for some reason they didn't charge me duty! The total value of my package was $347 so I was surprised the customs charge was so little (but also happy!)

VMNT

4 days in customs. Import tax/duty = 27-30% of the total value (incl. shipping)

rubadub

danindub wrote: »

Will think twice next time before paying $100 for Express package to Ireland...

I would never pay for express, this can (well should) be added to your liable VAT & duty

punkindrublic wrote: »

The total value of my package was $347 so I was surprised the customs charge was so little (but also happy!)

THat is strange, the duty is 12% on clothes according to this site
http://www.clothing.ie/customs-duties-clothing-imports.html

An Example of how this might work out: - A wonderful Ball Gown costs $150 from Sydney's Closet. You choose insurance at $15 and there is a $35 airmail freight charge. Total cost for Customs Duties purposes is $200. Customs duty will be $24 - 12% of cost, making $224.
V.A.T. is now charged by Customs on the $224 @ 21% = $47.04.
The extra charges in total are $24 + $47.04 = $71.04, which is then changed to Euro at the central exchange rate of the day. In many cases the delivery company used will ask for payment of the customs duties before releasing the clothing to you.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/pn1882.html