HELP with Shipping problem F***ing shipping agent

[Hiphiphoray]

If your agent is good, they will clear fast and not incur storage chargers.

 

Warehouse chargers have to pay rah. They have to consolidate first mah.

 

yes bro

 

however, i dont see why i have to pay for their warehousing and all.

Edited April 26, 2010 by Hiphiphoray

[Marquee]

I am not in FF biz but have to use FF occasionally.

 

For small items, the difference between air freight and sea freight cost is minimal. If you do not ship regularly, tendency you incurred more money and very little information will be given to you; esp via sea freight.

 

For future reference, maybe you can ask a local FF and do a freight collect on those rims. Sellers sell on ex-work. Then all cost shall make known to you before the items are shipped. It's like a quotation and decide whether you want to use them.

Edited April 26, 2010 by Marquee

[Tham2005]

These are "standard charges"

 

All these charges are spread out to cover their rent in KD, labour, forklift rental, rebates on the ocean frt, etc etc.

for an end consumer you should have requested a door to door quote, that way it will save you alot of trouble.

 

you are feeling the pinch because your items are light (100kg?) weight to cost ratio high. if you are clearing 2-3 tons better cost ratio.

Maybe if you asked nicly they could have waved off the storage charges. else the charges are "fair"

 

Airfreight would have been little more Ex but faster.

Edited April 26, 2010 by Tham2005

[Kangadrool]

Hi guys

 

I shipped 4 boxes of car rims from the US. They arrived on a ship here ytd.

 

It was a very complicated process involving the shipper passing the item to the forwarding company which would then consolidate items to be shipped to singapore into one container. Once the shipping company takes over from the forwarding company it would then be up to the agent here in singapore to handle the administration. This method albeit complex, cost the least. Still $600 or so.

 

The goods were due to be picked up by me at the port.

 

 

So I waited for ~1 month for the ship to arrive. I sent the shipping company the bill of lading and invoice had the items declared as a gift around 3 weeks before the arrival of the goods. The CRO assured me that she would expedite the process and that they could provide customs brokering service as well as delivery for a fee.

 

However, today when i called up the shipping agent they forwarded me the notice of arrival. Turns out agent fees, wharfing and DO fees were not included and they came up to $125. This was not mentioned to me or the shipper by the forwarding company OR the agent here despite me contacting them beforehand to send them the B/L and invoice 3 weeks beforehand.

 

I checked with my friend and he said he wasnt informed. I checked with the agent and they said the $600 i paid was only the ORIGIN FEES

So i told the CRO no problem I dont mind paying this amount even THOUGH it was not included in the $600 i already paid for which was told to me as the nett figure. That one im willing to absorb.

 

They then sent me the admin FEEs for processing customs. This one added up to ANOTHER $200 or so. This one was expensive but not unexpected. The forwarding company had told me that I had to pay for customs clearance even if I had declared it as a gift.

 

The agent then chut stunt again say the invoice declaring the rims as a gift doesnt work. That i have to pay GST. This one i also dont mind paying BUT

 

KNNCCB NOW THEN THEY TELL ME AFTER THE RIMS ARRIVE.

 

THEN THEY CHARGE ME FOR

 

1. FORKLIFTING THE RIMS TO THE WAREHOUSE $75

2. MANPOWER $50

3. WAREHOUSE STORAGE

4. REMOVAL OF RIMS

 

How can they f--king charge me for bringing my rims to the warehouse when it was supposed to be a port pickup

 

They did not even inform me or ask my permission to send it to the warehouse.

 

Even if they claim its not processed by customs yet and i cant collect my good, its their fault why didnt they tell me declaration as a gift doesnt work till today.

and charge me for storage and movement BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN DELAY.

 

WHY DIDNT THEY SETTLE ALL THE CUSTOMS ADMIN WITH ME BEFOREHAND BEFORE THE GOODS ARRIVED?

 

I am waiting for my friend to rewrite the invoice. And see what the company can do about this.

 

Im not a calculative person. I dont mind paying $100-200 more even though it was not included in the original deal. BUT $540+ IS AS MUCH AS THE MONEY IT TAKES TO SHIP THE STUFF FROM AMERICA. WTF

 

If they had informed me earlier then I wouldve have used air freight which would have saved me 3 weeks +++ and lots of opportunity costs in my sale of old rims for just abit more $$$

 

They did not have the decency to inform me or the shipper despite me contacting them 3 weeks beforehand and now they want to charge me for their negligence? They still had the cheek to tell me its their "STANDARD" CHARGES. BS

 

Can i go to the small claims tribunal if they play punk? Its a big shipping agent.

I have all the proof and evidence with me.

 

Can any bros in the shipping industry advise?

 

It's NORMAL. You don't have a case against them IMO. Am stating the fact. As much as I share your frustration, this is how the sea freight (LCL load) works. Cheaper for you just to DHL/Fedex over.

 

Think someone had asked before (not sure if it's you) and warning given.

 

[Freestylers09]

It's NORMAL. You don't have a case against them IMO. Am stating the fact. As much as I share your frustration, this is how the sea freight (LCL load) works. Cheaper for you just to DHL/Fedex over.

 

Think someone had asked before (not sure if it's you) and warning given.

 

 

Bro so to mean,Air freight overall cheaper?

 

Sea Frieght incur only?

 

 

[Tham2005]

Bro so to mean,Air freight overall cheaper?

 

Sea Frieght incur only?

 

 

it all depends on the total weight of your cargo. get a quote from you local forwarder. for TS case i think he could have got a better deal.

Edited April 26, 2010 by Tham2005

[Kangadrool]

Bro so to mean,Air freight overall cheaper?

 

Sea Frieght incur only?

 

For small shipments, generally it's more cost effective to use DHL/Fedex/UP and the likes. They bring you from door-to-door They even custom clear for you both ends, except you may need to pay duties/GST when customs deem that it's taxable.

 

If items are not taxable, they will deliver to your home address in mainland Singapore. If items are taxable, they will send you notice with tax amount to be paid. Pay it and the parcel is yours.

 

LCL Sea freight has lots of "hidden" charges for those who are not familiar with it. It often shock many people who are not in the trade or do not deal with LCL consolidators.

Edited April 26, 2010 by Kangadrool

[RadX]

yup...i use DHL...every week at least have abt 40-50kg of stuff coming in....and any probs, i have the direct no of the mgr......which ensures i get my stuff in hassle free

[Kangadrool]

it all depends on the total weight of your cargo. get a quote from you local forwarder. for TS case i think he could have got a better deal.

 

Forget those sea freight forwarders. For future such shipments of such small volume/quantity, just stick to international courier like DHL/Fedex/UP, etc.

[Tham2005]

yup...i use DHL...every week at least have abt 40-50kg of stuff coming in....and any probs, i have the direct no of the mgr......which ensures i get my stuff in hassle free

 

 

My advice to anyone thinking of importing their own stuff

 

0 - 30kg DHL FEDEX

30 - 120 kg Air freight

120kg above go for LCL.

 

this is just a rough guide, other factors like suppliers origin is also important.

 

ask around for quotes or get a buddy in the forwarding ind to help you.

[RadX]

My advice to anyone thinking of importing their own stuff

 

0 - 30kg DHL FEDEX

30 - 120 kg Air freight

120kg above go for LCL.

 

this is just a rough guide, other factors like suppliers origin is also important.

 

ask around for quotes or get a buddy in the forwarding ind to help you.

 

 

good heads up.

 

Also, the tax is paid at cargo and i need not pay any EXTRA TAX....

[Tham2005]

good heads up.

 

Also, the tax is paid at cargo and i need not pay any EXTRA TAX....

 

FYI

 

GST is only applicable for cargo with CIF value above SGD 400.00

 

CIF = cost of cargo, insurance and freight.

[RadX]

FYI

 

GST is only applicable for cargo with CIF value above SGD 400.00

 

CIF = cost of cargo, insurance and freight.

 

 

yup...that's right.....I often try and ship below the cost and split the shipping so as to avoid the GST

[Jman888]

yup...i use DHL...every week at least have abt 40-50kg of stuff coming in....and any probs, i have the direct no of the mgr......which ensures i get my stuff in hassle free

 

you import body in ah... every week 1 body (40-50kgs)?

[RadX]

you import body in ah... every week 1 body (40-50kgs)?

 

 

er 40-50kg is china mei mei ah...so light

[Windchoco]

Hi guys

 

I shipped 4 boxes of car rims from the US. They arrived on a ship here ytd.

 

It was a very complicated process involving the shipper passing the item to the forwarding company which would then consolidate items to be shipped to singapore into one container. Once the shipping company takes over from the forwarding company it would then be up to the agent here in singapore to handle the administration. This method albeit complex, cost the least. Still $600 or so.

 

The goods were due to be picked up by me at the port.

 

 

So I waited for ~1 month for the ship to arrive. I sent the shipping company the bill of lading and invoice had the items declared as a gift around 3 weeks before the arrival of the goods. The CRO assured me that she would expedite the process and that they could provide customs brokering service as well as delivery for a fee.

 

However, today when i called up the shipping agent they forwarded me the notice of arrival. Turns out agent fees, wharfing and DO fees were not included and they came up to $125. This was not mentioned to me or the shipper by the forwarding company OR the agent here despite me contacting them beforehand to send them the B/L and invoice 3 weeks beforehand.

 

I checked with my friend and he said he wasnt informed. I checked with the agent and they said the $600 i paid was only the ORIGIN FEES

So i told the CRO no problem I dont mind paying this amount even THOUGH it was not included in the $600 i already paid for which was told to me as the nett figure. That one im willing to absorb.

 

They then sent me the admin FEEs for processing customs. This one added up to ANOTHER $200 or so. This one was expensive but not unexpected. The forwarding company had told me that I had to pay for customs clearance even if I had declared it as a gift.

 

The agent then chut stunt again say the invoice declaring the rims as a gift doesnt work. That i have to pay GST. This one i also dont mind paying BUT

 

KNNCCB NOW THEN THEY TELL ME AFTER THE RIMS ARRIVE.

 

THEN THEY CHARGE ME FOR

 

1. FORKLIFTING THE RIMS TO THE WAREHOUSE $75

2. MANPOWER $50

3. WAREHOUSE STORAGE

4. REMOVAL OF RIMS

 

How can they f--king charge me for bringing my rims to the warehouse when it was supposed to be a port pickup

 

They did not even inform me or ask my permission to send it to the warehouse.

 

Even if they claim its not processed by customs yet and i cant collect my good, its their fault why didnt they tell me declaration as a gift doesnt work till today.

and charge me for storage and movement BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN DELAY.

 

WHY DIDNT THEY SETTLE ALL THE CUSTOMS ADMIN WITH ME BEFOREHAND BEFORE THE GOODS ARRIVED?

 

I am waiting for my friend to rewrite the invoice. And see what the company can do about this.

 

Im not a calculative person. I dont mind paying $100-200 more even though it was not included in the original deal. BUT $540+ IS AS MUCH AS THE MONEY IT TAKES TO SHIP THE STUFF FROM AMERICA. WTF

 

If they had informed me earlier then I wouldve have used air freight which would have saved me 3 weeks +++ and lots of opportunity costs in my sale of old rims for just abit more $$$

 

They did not have the decency to inform me or the shipper despite me contacting them 3 weeks beforehand and now they want to charge me for their negligence? They still had the cheek to tell me its their "STANDARD" CHARGES. BS

 

Can i go to the small claims tribunal if they play punk? Its a big shipping agent.

I have all the proof and evidence with me.

 

Can any bros in the shipping industry advise?

 

I think the problem was with the agreed shipping terms. You should not have asked for delivery to port.

 

You asked for a freight quote from the origin as "till port of Singapore", so essentially, they are not really overcharging you because the charges at port that you have incurred are not included. + the fact that you are moving by LCL, that gives the co-loader at the port a chance to carrot you. They do that all the time to businesses.

 

Next time just use DHL and solve all your problems.. Or ask for a delivery to door.

 

[Leggt]

My advice to anyone thinking of importing their own stuff

 

0 - 30kg DHL FEDEX

30 - 120 kg Air freight

120kg above go for LCL.

 

this is just a rough guide, other factors like suppliers origin is also important.

 

ask around for quotes or get a buddy in the forwarding ind to help you.

 

 

Yes, most of the bros here are rite, consolidated containers have to be unstuffed in one of the warehouse within Keppel Distripark which is a Free Trade Zone. Then, they will separate the cargoes into for local or transshipment. Afterwhich, import permits will be declared for all local bound cargoes with their respective CIF values for each consignee (which TS is one of them)

 

All charges are charged as per "tariff" or "walk-in" to TS.

 

The above guideline is a good indication. Bear in mind that for sea freight, it is calculated in "revenue ton" (cubic metre in volume vs weight in ton, whichever is greater). For air freight, it is calculated in per kg provided your cargo is not out of shaped or odd shaped, using standard pallet is a good gauge IMHO.

[Freestylers09]

Oh no wonder i use air so hassle free but when from US n Uk not v familiar end up tio charge

 

btw if my things too big,i use air freight by volume,even cheaper

 

actually theres alot dropshippers or freight forwarders

just do abit research can liaoz