Chinese Supplier Trying To Give Me The Run Around?

I Drink It Up!

Dear ******

Kindly be informed that our old mailing agent confirmed there is a little problem to apply for custom while in Hongkong airport. Now we only use another mailing agent which fee charge for DHL express is USD188.00 but they confirm it 's no problem to ship this sample to Ireland since they apply for custom in Guangzhou,China air port.

Very sorry for the delay shipment and extra fee charge, So what's your suggestion ? Could you accept to change the new DHL agent to ship this sample batteries although extra USD88.00 ?

Your prompt reply would be appreciated . thanks very much!

Best wishes,
Sandra
**************************

Basically they are asking for another $88 to ship by air after I already paid them $100 to do so.

Now, they did ring me twice, at an unGodly hour, and then sent the above email.

I don't know if this is a genuine beef they have or some sort of scam, or what.

Any help? Cheers people:cool:

I Drink It Up!

Oh, and by the way, this email was received only 1 day before the above email:

Dear *****

Thanks for your confirmation.

Don't worry, the outer carton has a label marked "Sample". We are also advising you the tracking number is 655 **** 861 .

Additionally, We would like to let you know since "The World Exposition Shanghai China 2010" will be held in May.1st,2010, all the cargos ship by air is very strict to be inpected when apply for custom. These two days, we have checked with another mailing agent regarding this shipment to Ireland, they confirmed it is no problem , but the freight charge is too expensive(about USD188.00) . Now we decide to use the old agent only charge USD100.00, if they can not handle this shipment, then we have to change another agent by USD188.00 .

Keep in touch! if have any questions, we will let you know.

Best wishes,
Sandra

rainbowdash

In my experience you should offer to share the cost and offer $44, thats only about €35 and that usually works.

I Drink It Up!

rainbowdash wrote: »

In my experience you should offer to share the cost and offer $44, thats only about €35 and that usually works.

Thank you very much for your advice and help.

Apparently, the Chinese wholesaler is suggesting kthat my package was delayed thanks to some mandatory customs inspection which is being imposed on all produce leaving HK, thanks to the Expo or something.

However there is, the seller maintains, a DHL service, express, which can avoid this delay, for $88 extra.

The original shipping price agreed was $100 via UPS.

Cheers!

RUDOLF289

Hello Idrinkitup,

just a quick note.

Customs in China can be problematic. Not all manufacturers can perform customs export formalities as not everybody is licensed for export. That could be a factor. The fact that your shipment is being switched from Hong Kong to Guangzhou could - perhaps - be an indication that you may be dealing with an agent that ran into a licensing issue and had to switch supply from one factory to another. It may well be that there is a cost issue involved related to the product, hence the increase in "shipping costs". The other factor that may have a bearing on all of this is that China is closed for the May day holiday from 30APR to 04MAY. There has been a big rush on, putting pressure on all modes of shipping, from China to Europe over the last 14 days/

I am not sure how you found your Chinese contact. I would be a bit weary because of this. You could be dealing with a middleman rather than a manufacturer. I would recommend, once you have received your sample, to do some further homework. There are some very good sourcing agents based in Ireland who really know the way in China. I can put you in contact with at least two. Also, there is a fellow boards.ie member : MICKK who has been to China and has developed some good insights and contacts in China. Have a look at his posts, particularly this one ; http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055657956 . Maybe send him a PM and ask for advice. He may be able to point you in the right direction.

Hope this helps, I know I still owe you a reply to a PM / previous post. Will try to get back to you tomorrow (that is later today ...)

Cheers,
Rudolf289

I Drink It Up!

RUDOLF289 wrote: »

Hello Idrinkitup,

just a quick note.

Customs in China can be problematic. Not all manufacturers can perform customs export formalities as not everybody is licensed for export. That could be a factor. The fact that your shipment is being switched from Hong Kong to Guangzhou could - perhaps - be an indication that you may be dealing with an agent that ran into a licensing issue and had to switch supply from one factory to another. It may well be that there is a cost issue involved related to the product, hence the increase in "shipping costs". The other factor that may have a bearing on all of this is that China is closed for the May day holiday from 30APR to 04MAY. There has been a big rush on, putting pressure on all modes of shipping, from China to Europe over the last 14 days/

I am not sure how you found your Chinese contact. I would be a bit weary because of this. You could be dealing with a middleman rather than a manufacturer. I would recommend, once you have received your sample, to do some further homework. There are some very good sourcing agents based in Ireland who really know the way in China. I can put you in contact with at least two. Also, there is a fellow boards.ie member : MICKK who has been to China and has developed some good insights and contacts in China. Have a look at his posts, particularly this one ; http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055657956 . Maybe send him a PM and ask for advice. He may be able to point you in the right direction.

Hope this helps, I know I still owe you a reply to a PM / previous post. Will try to get back to you tomorrow (that is later today ...)

Cheers,
Rudolf289

Hi Rudolf, thanks for your time and effort, as always. Yes, it appears that all of China has gone on Holidays. I was given a DHL tracking # which is not returning any positive results. I look forward to your PM, I will fill you in with more sensitive details then. CHeers and good luck.;)

I Drink It Up!

Problem appears sorted.

Tracking code checks out.

It seems the supplier is going to foot the extra $US 88

It seems that way.

But for the time being, they have switched over to DHL, tracking checks out as it seems, and the product is at least out of customs.

I will keep this thread going as long as possible so it serves as a guide for anyone who has this problem in the future. Apparently, massive economy or not, the Chinese have {a} Holidays and {b} Customs rules and they take both very, very seriously.:D

Southsider1

I Drink It Up! wrote: »

Apparently, massive economy or not, the Chinese have {a} Holidays and {b} Customs rules and they take both very, very seriously.:D

Yeah but, surely you sussed all this out before you started doing business with them didn't you? A basic preparation?

Dannyboy1987

i have delt with china a few times customs rules and laws keep changing and watch you don't get stung by irish customs

I Drink It Up!

Dannyboy1987 wrote: »

i have delt with china a few times customs rules and laws keep changing and watch you don't get stung by irish customs

How do I make sure I don't get "stung"?

I expect to pay Vat and Customs and have determined those values as being 21% and 2.7% respectively

I am only wary of being "stung" on samples.

I Drink It Up!

Southsider1 wrote: »

Yeah but, surely you sussed all this out before you started doing business with them didn't you? A basic preparation?

If anything, it was the supplier who wasn't doing their homework.

They quoted me $100 for postage. This was agreed up front and in advance before any money changed hands.

Then they came along with a story about the Expo and about some customs difficulties. This apparently required extra money.

In the end, anyways, they switched over from UPS to DHL and the packet is now in Leipzig.

Whether I get asked for extra money off customs, is one thing. That said...if i suddenly get asked for the difference on postage, then that would not be acceptable, and I may have to consider whether I want to do business with these people again.

However, that is down the line from now.

RUDOLF289

Dannyboy1987 wrote: »

i have delt with china a few times customs rules and laws keep changing and watch you don't get stung by irish customs

Hello Dannyboy1987,

Getting "stung" by Irish customs, suggests either one of two things ;

1) Didn't do your homework in advance to determine what duty and VAT would be payable on importation
2) Trying to get away with something you shouldn't

I think Idrinkitup has done a fair bit of homework on this and is aware of the implications on importation.

I have posted a number of times on postal importation and the values that customs will accept before a shipment becomes liable to duty and/or VAT. And if you believe you are getting "stung" by customs, there is an appeals process. Have a look at the attached post for a happy ending

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055212393

Cheers,
Rudolf289

I Drink It Up!

RUDOLF289 wrote: »

Hello Dannyboy1987,

Getting "stung" by Irish customs, suggests either one of two things ;

1) Didn't do your homework in advance to determine what duty and VAT would be payable on importation
2) Trying to get away with something you shouldn't

I think Idrinkitup has done a fair bit of homework on this and is aware of the implications on importation.

I have posted a number of times on postal importation and the values that customs will accept before a shipment becomes liable to duty and/or VAT. And if you believe you are getting "stung" by customs, there is an appeals process. Have a look at the attached post for a happy ending

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055212393

Cheers,
Rudolf289

Hi Rudolf. I owe you a PM and a reply and all!!!

I got sick recently, lost my voice and everything, then all of a sudden today, against all odds {volcano and what not} my shipment got thru.

Vat and Excise was €69.35 on an order which had a face value of $362.50

$362.50 is around €278. 21% of that is €57.75

I was asked to pay €69.35 on that in customs and duties

I have asked DHL to send me out a printed copy of the breakdown, so when I get that information I will certainly pass it onto yourself. I am not sure whether I was asked to pay VAT on the original agreed shipping cost or the later, higher price.

While I did not have to pay the extra $88 shipping, it is worth noting for any prospective business person that the VAT payable on the extra shipping cost may still have fallen due to me, with VAT being CIF calculated.

That said I will have a much clearer picture of exactly what happened once I get the printout from DHL.

The charges were supposedly C.O.D, driver had no idea, but I paid him anyways, and got my receipt.

Needless to say, I spent the rest of today testing the merchandise- it is of a sensitive electrical nature. It all checks out.:D

Needless to say, it has been an experience and I am glad I am now in a position to start documenting my plan. It's all well and good having a basic format but there is nothing like parting with your cash and seeing where you stand when the dust settles.
@Rudolf- I will be in touch via PM as soon as I have a much more detailed answer to your questions. Cheers.

maninasia

From what I can see of the mails the Chinese supplier or middleman did a good job in giving you options, keeping you informed and delivering your merchandise. Calling you was an extra step that most wouldn't do, calling twice is very good customer service. They wouldn't try to cheat you on a sample otherwise how would they get any business?

If you find the right agent and right price you should stick with that for the moment, otherwise you might give yourself more of a headache than you need.

Chinese customs shut down during national holidays and special events, this the one major drawback of trading with China. Many suppliers export out of Hong Kong due to tax and license issues, it's normal.

I Drink It Up!

maninasia wrote: »

From what I can see of the mails the Chinese supplier or middleman did a good job in giving you options, keeping you informed and delivering your merchandise. Calling you was an extra step that most wouldn't do, calling twice is very good customer service. They wouldn't try to cheat you on a sample otherwise how would they get any business?

If you find the right agent and right price you should stick with that for the moment, otherwise you might give yourself more of a headache than you need.

Chinese customs shut down during national holidays and special events, this the one major drawback of trading with China. Many suppliers export out of Hong Kong due to tax and license issues, it's normal.

YES, I have to be honest, they have proven to be a reliable and decent supplier. A bit expensive, but very business-like.

maninasia

I read that guy's Mick's posts, very informative. However it was a better situation for him to be dealing directly with the factory. This is not always the case if you are trading. Even if you want something custom made some agents will take of a lot of headaches for you.

So it really depends. My advice is if you find a reliable and efficient supplier it's no big deal to give them their cut. They are effectively taking care of all the 'crap' for you, saving you time and the risk of losing money. I say this as I work with an agent in China but he is very professional and as he gets a % of business he is very pro-active, pushing the factory and taking care of the all the fiddlesome stuff. Some agents do indeed have preferred status with a factory. If they don't give you a reasonable price or good service then they are not any use to you. Also, as Mick alluded, some factories do not have a proper sales force or English speaking ability and may not like dealing directly for small orders.

After a while you can explore working with factories directly but hang onto an agent or two as a reliable partner to help you source and explore business opportunities.