I participated in a group contest with WOMWorld and teamed up with 3 other tech bloggers from Sri Lanka, Singapore and Australia to figure out a code from clues individually sent to us. We each got a sealed box delivered via DHL.
I was monitoring the tracking logs from the DHL website and saw that the box arrived by evening of Sunday. I figured it should be home by Monday morning or afternoon. There were some delays according to the logs and I got a bit concerned. It finally arrived this morning after being cleared by Customs.
The box is made of hard transparent plastic with a 4-digit lock. You can clearly see the Nokia E72 inside but we still need to figure out the code in order to unlock the box.
Each of the 4 team members also get a clue so we can all figure out the 4-digit code. Unfortunately, I no longer needed the code to get inside the box. Customs has forcibly opened it for me.
Obviously, the inspectors at the Bureau of Customs got very curious about the Nokia E72 despite the fact that they can clearly see what’s inside the transparent box. They just need to closely inspect the items.
So there you go — no more code-breaking for me, thanks to the people at Customs.
Loading ...
What a very clever lot those Customs people are…
Hey that’s bad, anyway let us try to find the code
Brilliant bunch, I tell yah.
Somebody ought to file a formal complaint to those people in Customs.
What’s next? Game over or we got some more task in hand?
di ba pwedeng x-ray nalang nila? kailangan pa talaga buksan? grabe
Tsk tsk tsk…
Grabe talaga mga customs, to think na transparent na nga yung box para hindi na gaano ma question and yet pinilit pa rin buksan.
Sir yuga, i think you should have filed a formal compaint about this the moment you knew that the package was forcibly opened.
Hindi na sila marunong mahiya…
Twitter: eguar51
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 11:44 am (8)
Noticed the text on the sheet lining the box?
“How you respond is who you are”, it says. And how did those customs people respond?
See?
Pwedeng pinalitan na rin yan ng 2nd hand Nokia E72 by the Customs Head who got the same phone hehehe…. tsk tsk.
Bad Gorillas!
bakit mga china phones na nakakapasok sa bansa na hindi nag tatax di nila nahuhuli…
etong nakatransparent na box at halata naman na galing pa talaga sa Nokia at DHL pa pinadala…
sigurado naman safe pero binuksan parin mga kurakot na custom na yan…
baka nainggit sir yuga.gusto ata makahipo ng E72… Papahiramin niyo kasi kawawa naman sila….
file a complaint T_T grabe talaga.
Twitter: surforeo
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 12:12 pm (12)
I hope they didn’t damage the plastic together with the E72. They are just proving that we don’t have enough technology to scan the transparent plastic. They are not respecting the privacy of the people in their own country.
ganyan talaga ang mga taga customs… mga kurakot.. no wonder madaming taga custom ang mayayaman.. please confirm sir yuga na orig pa din yang unit.. baka pinalitan na nila ng china phone.. ajejeje
did they charge you anything? so sad they had to open packages without even the consent of the receiver.. this really frightens people into importing anything w/ or w/o value.
malas talaga tumira sa Pilipinas pagdating sa custom. hope you give them somewhat a lesson XD
Dapat jan sa mga taga customs i-pabitag kay Tulfo para maturaan ng leksyon at gawin ng maayos trabaho nila.
my God! Ganyan ba talaga ka-garapal sa Customs?? Grabe sila, kailangan pa ba talaga nilang i-open yung box?? tsk tsk! Hindi na sila nahiya! Bulok na systema! Sir Yuga, you have to do something about this.. i-report mo sila.
(
Twitter: surforeo
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 1:17 pm (17)
@RJ ganyan tlga sila pati un laptop ko noon binuksan nila. pgdatng skn dami ng finger prints.
sayang naman ang effort ng WOMWorld dahil sa Philippine Custom.
That’s terrible!…Those Customs employees should be reported and slammed-in into jail!
Twitter: wharen06
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 2:17 pm (20)
wtf?? sayang naman sir yuga ang chance at trill.. lintek na CUSTOMS.
sop. hehe! baka inisip nila meron iba pang gadgets nakatago sa loob ng cellphone. lol!
what is you clue?
Twitter: jhayrocas
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 2:30 pm (23)
You got a very good evidence for a solid complaint. Will you file one sir Abe?
I hate customs!!! Yung inorder ko na hoodie sa amazon.com via DHL din yung box ko halatang tampered. Nakadeclare naman dun na clothing yun at from Amazon.com naman yun.
kayo naman.. ngayon lang sila nakakita ng cellphone! x_X
sir abe,
we urge you to please file a formal complaint.
since most of us do not know the policy of bureau of customs in regard to packages/electronics being received from abroad.
this would be one good example we all could learn from.
ps: did customs charge you a tax or anything?
a few years ago, i once received a webcam (personal/gift) from a friend in canada (worth php 1500 including stamps).
the customs in my local post office charged me tax,etc worth 750 pesos!
I was busy then kaya di na ko naka-pagtanong sa main office if it is really correct and just.
ps: did customs charge you tax or anything?
a few years ago, i once received a webcam (personal/gift) from a friend in canada (worth 1500 pesos including stamps na).
the customs in my local post office charged me tax,etc worth 750 pesos!
may mga personal letters kasing kasama sa package kaya kinuha ko na rin. I was busy then kaya di na ko naka-pagtanong sa customs main office if it is really correct and just.
What could their excuse be? Did they think it was a bomb? Was there a real E72 or just a box? Pakialamero naman!
Bad! Bad! Bad!
Did you already inspect the unit?
Baka nga napalitan na ‘yan.
haha lintek talaga mga customs na yan. daming beses na rin ako nadali. kelangan nila talagang buksan kasi baka raw smuggled item.
you really can’t blame them.. just doing their job siguro… baka ntakot na may bomb or something
I’m pissed really. They should have called the owner right away if they’re really curious to see it.
Hay such crocodiles!
Goodluck Abe.
Twitter: foodrecap
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 5:17 pm (34)
ouch! that hurts! sayang naman ang enjoyment. ala na yan thrill.
@Elizar
Kahit na. Bakit, wala bang x-ray man lang, or any Customs-proper device to inspect goods without tampering them? What they did was bordering on destroying stuff already. So much for being efficient.
That’s Philippine Customs for you! I have been victimized numerous times! Someone should revise customs laws especially now with online retailing and online shipments on a boom.
@Elizar, “can’t blame them”? “just doing their job”? “baka ntakot na may bomb or something”? Come on! Are you even aware of their practices? That’s like tolerating those bunch! All of the customs officials and grunts should really be replaced. They’ve done way too much harm already.
Wala boss. Sinira nila ang contest. Winakwak pa talaga.
I purchased a Macbook online about a week ago and I’m waiting for it.
I do hope na wala itong fingerprints and such.
Navictim na din ako before ng customs. yung binili kong cd sa YesAsia, pagkadating d2, puro scratches and fingerprints yung CD. tapos siningil pa ako ng 500 pesos. DHL din yun dati.
Twitter: deuts
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 7:02 pm (40)
Dapat jan ipadala sa Xxx, at ipa-entrapment operation! abuso na yan ah.
Twitter: ramfree17
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 7:07 pm (41)
@Randell,Eizan: easy lang. the poster was being sarcastic (notice the smiley). sarcasm doesnt really convey well in written media. saka dapat wink ang ginamit.
ciao!
dapat yung title “How the Bureau of Idiots Spoiled the Fun”
Haha! Apparently, hindi masyado nade-deliver ng maayos ang emotions through text only.
Grrr…napa-slow naman yata mag-adapt ng Customs.
the philippine government sucks, customs people…………………………………………..haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaysssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Twitter: ambotweets
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 7:37 pm (45)
Every time i hear news about customs, it pisses me off! I forgot the politician’s name but he said customs is one of the most corrupt agencies in the country!
Stupidity.
Nangyari yan b4 sa akin but with the Post Office. Pinagalitan ko sila yong in-charge sa parcel section at sinabihan ko kakasuhan ko sila and I told them to remember my name. and when another package for me arrived at the Post Office, tinawagan nila ako at gusto nila makita ko daw habang binubuksan nila ang package, hayon natoto ang mga ungas at natakot na rin sa akin. Ngayon when ever I go to the Post Office dito sa lugar namin, serve nila ako agad. Patapangan lang yan. Kung duwag ka ay lulukuhin ka lang nila.
Twitter: manilamommy
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 8:29 pm (48)
oh shoot!!! i’m so sorry to hear about this abe :T are you considering taking action against the bureau? what have the contest organizers said about this? sana maayos pa rin to.
@Edgar: hehehe.. nice one bro.. how you respond is who you are.. hehe..
customs responded like who they really are.. mga MAGNA.. CUM LAUDE =)
wala nang bago sa mga customs na yan mga gahaman talaga mga yan….last month lang nagpadala friend ko ng 3 units ng cell phone sa pinas, pag dating dyan sa atin naging 2 na lang at yung pinaka mahal pa ang kinuha, ang kakapal talaga ng mga mukha ng mga taga customs at alam din ng mga opisyal nila yan dahil kung gusto talaga nila mahuli mga tiwali sa customs napaka dali lang diba, maglagay lang sila ng camera sa lahat ng sulok ng opisina nila eh mahuhuli na nila mga yan….
kamote tlga dito sa ‘pinas… kadiri to the max, kahit sa airport ganyan.
omg, this happened to me too with my Kindle! lolll
this post is the funniest post
If they intent to inspect the parcel make it proper and handle with care. As few poster stated above there are problem with finger prints, they should have handle it with utmost care! What a shame!
Twitter: parakatis
replied on Dec 8th, 2009 at 10:35 pm (54)
Wala ba silang mga sniffing dogs? hehe
Those pigs with 40-inch waistline.
baka sa sobrang third world ng customs ng pinas eh ang XRAY nila hindi tumatagos sa more than 1mm na material. LOL.
had a similar issue before, wanted to get an ubuntu free DVD from their site so I ordered one and paid for shipping. Pagdating sa post office at las pinas, they were charging me close to 700 pesos for “taxes”. mahal daw talaga pag electronics. I was shocked. I wasn’t paying 700 pesos for a free DVD. so i went home and downloaded it nalang. I doubt it kung may matalino naman sa kanila na makakapaginstal ng ubuntu at makikinabang dun no.
BTW, does this mean, yuga, that you have forfeited the challenge?
I wonder how the other bloggers will react to this. Nakakahiya na naman ang pinas! my gahd.
@Boo I ordered like 10 Ubuntu CDs sa site nila, dumidiretso naman sa bahay namin. Cainta Area here.
isang tawag lang yan sa IMB!
looks like it wasnt just you whose box was already open.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnpTsRzO6Nw&feature=player_embedded#
according to him, the box got damaged during shipping. maybe that is what happened?
if customs actually held (and opened) the package, it would have accumulated customs duties and taxes for you to pay.
dapat dyan sa mga customs na yan eh padalhan ng anthrax, para pag bukas ng mga punyetang yan eh mamatay agad yang mga hinayupak na yan!!! customs is no.1 currupt agency…taga dyan ang mga taong biglang yumayaman dahil lahat ng pumapasok at dumadaan sa kanila eh pede pagka perahan, pag hindi na nag lagay hindi makakalabas ang shipment mo.
Twitter: jehzlau
replied on Dec 9th, 2009 at 6:46 am (60)
hahahahaha… mga taga customs talaga.. makati ang mga kamay.. tsk tsk tsk…
sir yugs, its hopeless but did it passed in your mind to make a scene ?
ask their names, then show them a picture with the ampatoan clan
@boo hopefully we dont go lower than Cuba, to think na wala pa tayong embargo
yehey! nanalo si sir yuga! walang kahirap hirap..
yan ang pagiging matulungin…
mga kurakot talaga…paano ba mawawala ang mga linta na yan sa customs..
kaya nakakatakot bumili sa online shop eh..
pwede ka nang mahack at pwede din mahack ka ng customs.
File a complain para magtino ang mga ewan na mga taga custom!
tinignan ng customs kung may NTC logo sa likod
Use Johnny air in shipping na Lang.
-Sent via YugaTech Mobile App
Whoa! we should be very proud of our very own CUstoMs!
they are more pea brainer than Saudi Customs. hahaha
Twitter: carloblogg
replied on Dec 9th, 2009 at 12:32 pm (66)
the Customs may just be “doing their jobs”, pero di naman ata tama na sirain nila yung package;Dapat they have at least sent a letter to sir Abe regarding the “inspection” they made and the damage they have done. Definitely an unlawful act if you ask me
Twitter: jdGONEMAD
replied on Dec 9th, 2009 at 1:41 pm (67)
what if it is the actual Pandora’s box that’s not supposed to be opened else all sorts of evil will break loose. but come to think of it. it’s already too late. all sorts of evil are already lurking around that department anyway.
Ganyan naman talaga yan mga tiga Bureau of Crocodiles!
Anyway Yuga curios lang, did you get to keep the phone?
@boo
for ubuntu?
bakit ka nila sinisingil?
yung ubuntu disc ko galing pa netherlands…
wala naman ako binayaran even a single cent…
Marami na talaga buwaya sa gobyerno…
dapat sa kanila ilibing gamit ang Back hoe ng mga Ampatuans….
May kabobohan din ang customs…
di nila naisip kaya nga inilagay sa Transparent na casing… para pag nacheck sa custom hindi agad nila buksan kasi nakikita naman nila yung laman…
di naman siguro nakaon yaung phone kaya wag nila sabihin baka bomba…
no way to trigger it kung hindi nakabukas yung phone? at nasan yung bomba? transparent din?
palibhasa mga transparent ang utak….hehehe..
You should file a complaint sir Yuga ng maturuan ng leksiyon yang mga yan.
hehehe.. grabe talaga custom.. boss ko nga nagpadala ng second hand mac mini from US, for testing ko dito sa house, naka declare eh as gift.. tapos ang naka declare na price eh $150.. so sabi ko fedex na lang gamitin para walang hassle.. eh ayus.. pagdating sa custom dito.. sa status eh.. naka hold.. yun pala me kelangan ako bayaran sa custom.. and wooping $96… grrrrrrrrrrrrr.. tapos yung bayad sa fedex ng boss ko eh $164… sana binigay na lang ng boss ko yung sa shipping at custom.. dagdagan ko nalang bili na lang ako ng bagong mac mini.. hehehe
Twitter: domob17
replied on Dec 9th, 2009 at 6:40 pm (72)
Sir yuga, buti pa mga taga customs na-challenge sa pagbubukas ng transparent box… ng sapilitan.
Ano ba naman yung kontakin yung receiver ng package so they can inspect it in front of you…
di kaya nila nakita na may lock and essential yung box sa package? Its for a challenge…
stupid spoilers. >:(
Twitter: domob17
replied on Dec 9th, 2009 at 6:50 pm (73)
and btw sir yuga, check the contents if its still complete. Compare with this person who had the same package… link from andrew no. 58 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnpTsRzO6Nw&feature=player_embedded#
i have to admit… my tax money went into 90% of the stupid government employees. technologically illiterate government employees.
We really urge you to file a complaint PLEASE! For the sake of the others who’ve had their packages tampered as well.
sobrang OA naman ng customs.. maganda pa naman ung box.. hayz…..
By law, IT related items coming into the PH from anywhere in the world, when in non-commercial quantities, must be free from duties.
That applies especially to ASEAN countries where there should be limited taxes at all, if any, for most personal items shipped in.
Say, a laptop comes from the US. Shipping rates as reflected by the sender (UPS, FedEX, etc.) should be applicable, plus other handling fees (home delivery, etc etc). Otherwise, customs duties must be totally free.
I emphsize “should”, kasi siyempre, may sarili naman batas yung mga customs natin.
Now, not because there are no duties, does not mean they cannot inspect. But quid pro quo I say…why inspect when you already know its not taxable?
Dami talaga kurakot sa customs.
reply ko lang sa comment ni Tom… malamang hindi alam nung nasa customs yan, alam mo naman ang government offices basta may kakilala nakakapasok kahit walang alam diba.
nababahala ako… bakit walang kasamang charger? LOL.
o kaya naman, hindi kaya ang tunay na challenge is for you to figure out that you dont have to decode the clue anymore because the box is already open? LOL Kidding.
damn those crocodiles! if they’re to sell their conscience and brains, i’m sure it’d be very very expensive! good as new e, hindi nagagamit! mga hinayupak talaga!
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the suggestions and the comments. I am getting more information so I can file a formal complaint about the incident.
- yuga
hahahaha. naglabasan tuloy ang mga galit sa customs (sa poor service nila).
dear bureau of customs,
pls improve your website for more FAQs and info campaigns about your regulations, taxes, duties, and exemptions.
madaming nadadale at naiisihan/iniisahan dahil walang nakaaalam sa magulong system nyo.
NAGING OT na itong site ni sir yuga
di bale, favorable nman sa site activity eh. hehe
dapat lang mag file ka kuya.. kakaasar sila..
@rico: It might appear OT in a way, yeas. But it helps that people can vent their frustrations and express their disgust on certain issues in this land of corruption and cretinous officials. Remember the RFID? That too, got so much angst here. At least Sir Abe is doing us a service.
Long Live Blogging, Long Live YUGA!
Smile!!
I bet that when you look at the dictionary, or google for the words devil, demon or corrupt, you’ll see Bureau of Customs, Philippines next to it. Or perhaps under synonyms
pang-asar naman yung customs! transparent na nga, binuksan pa. tsk tsk.
Update mu kami. Dapat maresbakan mga ungas.
testing comments
Nakapag file ka na ng complaint? Interesado ako kasi gusto makita na magkaroon ng soluyon ang naging problema. Nalaman mo na ba kung customs talaga ang nag-puwersa na buksan yung fiberglass box? Baka naman talagang dumating na damaged or ang sumira taga DHL? Wala sa kontrol ng customs ang warehouse sa DHL. Kahit puntahan mo, mahigpit security at limited access ang customs doon.
E kasi taga customs ako. Yung tira ng tira na nilalahat kami, aba, konting hinahanon naman. Hindi pa nga alam kung sino talaga sumira e tira na kaagad.
Ano ba naman kayo, kung exempted sa duties yan, sisingilin pa rin kayo ng 12% VAT na imposition ng National Internal Revenue Code. Taga kolekta lang kami ng VAT.
Pinag-uusapan yan sa Congress, meron kaming pending bill na ang tawag Customs and Tariff Modernization Act. Isa sa mga probisyon ay yung “de minimis” – yung bang pag ang halaga ng inangkat ay di lalampas doon, walang buwis. E kasi mga bosing, yung batas natin 1957 pa kaya ang minimum value noon ay pinapa-iral pa rin – 50 pesos, pag lagpas, may buwis na. Ayaw aprubahan ng mga pulitiko kasi hihina ang kontrol nila sa customs.
Pag nagbayad kayo, tandaan, humingi ng resibo. No BOC receipt, no deal kamo. Merry Christmas.
Twitter: ramfree17
replied on Dec 13th, 2009 at 11:46 pm (89)
at least may other side of the story na rin.
viewed the video showing the other contestant who got his box broken. from the same video it seems that not everything is out in the open. not sure but the background itself looks like a box containing the other goodies. pag ganon *at* assuming na taga customs talaga ang pumwersa sa transparent box ay baka magkaron talaga ng probable cause.
just my opinion.
ciao!
Twitter: Teknisyan
replied on Dec 16th, 2009 at 8:21 am (90)
This is actually a test of character!!! Hmp! Amf!
they also want to try the phone – kayo naman///sila gusto mauna… ehehhe…. pero… sometimes they scrutinize everything esp. hardware… unless… there is a note saying do not open or case… if open by YOU then u will be assign to maguindanao province..again .. hehehehhe
this is so funny. the best thing customs did in a while. lucky you
if customs weren’t THAT shitty I wouldn’t have to “bypass” them. I’ve been customs free since they screwed with my business shipment worth 800k. Bottomdwelling mother F***ers. SEO campaign against customs anyone?
hey guys,sir yuga, hintayin nyo ibabalita ko cgro hanggang before xmas, bukas ko malalaman yung naka on hold ko na ship sa customs ung iphone 2g, $260 bili ko. tgnan natin kng mgkano tax nila or kung mkalusot ma ship na panta dto qc. Godbless us all
naharang din yung inorder kong item, maliit na earphones lang yun, total of $44.99 (1.1lbs) yung item and shipping. magkano kaya babayaran ko? badtrip nga eh, wala man lang nag inform sakin, kahit yung fedex na dumating na pala yung item ko last dec 17 pa. tapos ngayon nasa customs daw.
yung Inorder ko na Macbook sa Online Apple Store weeks ago, dumating na siya Last Wedneday from singapore in good condition.
Hindi binuksan yung packaging kasi sealed pa siya and original pa yung seal. and the best of all, wala akong binayarang Tax. =D IDK kung yung Apple Store na nagbayad basta nung dineliver ng DHL, pumirma na lang ako.=D
@xandrouz: mura lang tax nyan tol ang problema ppnta ka pa ang hasel. grabe earphones nalang hinarang pa although electronics yan pero xmpre diba, haiz pinas talaga. mamaya ttawag nako tignatin natin kung ung akin e nakalusot.
@jason:
i see. thanks bro. ah talaga? ako pa ang kelangan pumunta? pero may nakapag sabi sakin, halimbawa kasi fedex yung akin, pag ni deliver daw ng fedex, sa kanila ko na raw iaabot yung bayad sa customs tapos sila na ata mag bibigay. hmmmm. pero kung sakaling ako pa pupunta, san ba location ng customs na yan? hindi pedeng pay via paypal or bank account na lang? hassle amp.
hasel tlga yung akin nga kkunin ko cgro tom na forward na sa customs. nagiicp nga ako kasi malapit na pasko baka mas mahal isingil e kaso auko naman tumagal kasi baka mapano. dapat yan itawag ko kung saan pero malamang malapit lang din yan sa airport. dapat ikaw ang kukuha talaga e tapos bbuksan daw sa harap mo tapos icacalculate yungtax. ok lang yan mura lng yan.
ang kupad talaga ng customs, december 17 pa nila kinakalikot yung earphones ko, hindi pa ba nila na cocompute yun? tumawag ako kanina sa fedex, sabi nila hindi pa raw tumatawag yung customs, sabi naman nila, idedeliver na lang daw dito yung earphones tapos sa mag dedeliver na lang daw ako magbabayad ng para sa customs. t@en@ng yan, baka naman iniipit talaga nila para tumagal sa storage nila, me bayad kaya yun kada araw na andun yun. badtrip.
ay hindi ko lang alam bro ang maganda nyan hindi ka na ppunta, kaso ang hirap maghintay sa ganyan eh. mahirap maghintay sa hindi naman sigurado. yung customs ng post office hanggang bukas nalang pasok. kaya try m na pumunta bukas kung ako sau.
san ba location nung office tols? di ako pamilyar dito sa maynila eh. kung pupunta ba ako dun siguradong makukuha ko na yung item? tumawag na nga pala ako sa fedex and as usual ang sagot di pa raw tumatawag ang bureau of customs.
ask m nalang sa operator malapit lang din ung naia kasi ang pnta ko bukas ung customs ng post office pasay area din. kalayo taga commonwealth kaya ako. sana lang hindi mahal singilin sakin.
@jason:
tols, alam mo ba contact number nila? mas magulo pa sila sa pubic hair eh, lols. tinawagan ko yung numbers nila na nasa website nila pero kung san san lang ako pinapatawag, wala rin ako nakuhang info reagaring sa item ko.
guys nakuha ko na iphone P3400 cningil sakin. pero natawaran ko ng 2k. wala e gnun tlga.
wa. sakin tumawag na kanina, PHP 1,285.00 sinisingil sakin, halos 60% ng total price ng binili ko which is PHP 2,115.00. Pano ka tumawad bro jason? kasi idedeliver na lang daw sa dorm yung item ko. hindi ko nga makukuha eh, binigyan ko na lang authorization letter yung guard namin tapos iniwan ko yung bayad. badtrip. kelangan ko umuwi batangas eh.
badtrip talaga, nag email nako sa FEEDBACK ng website nila, ewan ko lang kung magrereply sila.
guys, para sa update about sa ngyare sa package ko,visit niyo lang blog ko. just click my name. Thanks! gud luck sa ating lahat! merry xmas!
Twitter: GekiDan
replied on Dec 24th, 2009 at 7:05 pm (109)
This i the third blog na nakita ko na nagtatackle ng customs kurakot. Anyways, natatakot na nga ako sa item ko sa FedEx na naharang ng customs.
It’s a $30 worth of toy from play-asia.
Sana lang dumating ito nang maayos sa akin.
Twitter: silkenhut
replied on Jan 4th, 2010 at 5:03 pm (110)
With such horror stories, I am already thinking twice if I should buy online and pay a lot more in the customs. My only reason to buy online is because they cost lesser than buying in the Philippines but if they get stuck in the Customs, you will have to pay the crocs.
Twitter: GekiDan
replied on Jan 4th, 2010 at 6:13 pm (111)
Well, I ordered a $30 item via Play-Asia and when it arrived here, customs is asking me Php2k for taxes. That’s double the amount I have paid for.
Lesson learned ika nga.
It’s much better to buy here locally than import stuffs.
Kindly read my whole story here: http://www.jefusion.info/2010/01/onlne-shopping-fedex-and-philippine.html
Twitter: ovijade
replied on Jan 16th, 2010 at 8:54 am (112)
GAAAAAAAAAA Go ung mga customs bat nila ako pagbabayarin nga 7k sa prize q napalunan sa NOKIA?
7k daw ksi 50k ung package ( N97 mini ) via UPS to.
At isa pa ung N97 q CLEARANCE delay parin dahil sa Customs na yan! via FedEx to at 4 days delay na.
Next is my TRIAL from WOMWORLD, N86 8MP 1 day Delay na dahil Clearance delay rin…mag wawait na lg ako ng balita…ito Via DHL…damn! I need to kick those heads of customs…Bob* ung politiko na nagimpose ng 12% na vat…yan d umasenso ung Pilipinas dahil sa 1% lg ung pumupunta sa tao..ung 11% nsa mga POLITIKO!
OMG! I’ve read the article and the comments. I was thinking of buying stuff online. It looks like a bad idea na. I agree with the sentiments of the people commenting on this post. A complaint should be filed. It angers me on how stupid this guys from customs are. It was in a clear plastic container. I’m sure the sensors would’ve detected something if it had dangerous contents.
So ano ang gustong iparating ng customs? Buy Pinoy?
We (me and my family) also experienced something like this last Dec ’08.
We were expecting a package from the US sent by our relatives. Of course, it’s for the holidays and everyone in the family has at least one item. Well, everyone except my cousin who was expecting a BNEW mobile phone.
Turns out, there should’ve been two phones in the box. The old used one (for my younger cousin) and a BNEW one with all the trimmings. Alas, the BNEW one went AWOL after a trip into Customs.
I was infuriated by this and was planning to make legal steps. However, my mom and grandma said that “it’s probably best not to get in their way”. I don’t know if they’re scared of them or something, or maybe they just want to avoid the hassle.
I guess the rumors are indeed true. Those people from that Bureau make money out of other people’s belongings. That, and they charge you with every possible crap they can come up with. SHEESH!
Twitter: GekiDan
replied on Mar 11th, 2010 at 9:35 am (116)
I tried EMS the other day. And I received my item from Japan without hassle. Just paid Php35. XD
Twitter: zeromd
replied on Mar 12th, 2010 at 6:03 pm (117)
LMAO. You know what. Everybody’s got a problem with customs. I got charged 200% of my purchase price! See my blog entry here:
http://zeromd.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/200-customs-tax-only-in-the-philippines/
Had a bad experience lately with Bureau of Customs and FedEx, bumili ako online ng educational textbook costing around 35 dollars tapos tinawagan ako ng FedEx sabi I have to pay an additional P 1,900.00 dahil daw sa taxes and custom duties, nag reklamo ako pero until now wlang action, lahat na sinulatan pero wlang nangayari, saan ka makakita ung bayad ko sa taxes is much more higher than the amount i paid sa educational textbooks, yung FedEx naman hindi nag justify sa package ko na ung items are educational textbooks na supposed to be wlang tax, pinabayaan mangkurakot yung taga customs, wlang kwenta ang service, next time meron transaction online im gonna make sure hindi FedEx! only in the Philippines!!! hindi na talaga aasenso bansa natin, daming kurakot
Yuga, you’ve got a very strong case against customs. I suggest lumapit ka kay tulfo or any media that can expose these guys in customs. Na biktima na din ako nyan… I had a package shipped to me via fedex worth 5k, tapos they billed me around 3.8k… it was just a special computer mouse… kakaiba yung fees nila… may storage fee na 800 pesos just for a damn mouse… kakaiba talaga mga hayop na yan…
Hey, awesome website. I actually came across this on Yahoo, and I am stoked I did. I will definately be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just absorbing as much info as I can at the moment.
Thank You
Dog Toys and Clothes
putang inang customs na yan. i sent my gf a dslr at im looking at the fedex tracking sabi “clearance delays” im guessing ng pipicture taking na ang mga mokong na un!
Twitter: jehzlau
replied on Jul 2nd, 2010 at 2:33 pm (122)
@kyleb – ahahahaha.. natawa me sa comment you.. Yeah ur right, ginagamit nila yun para ma test baka ipadala sa recipient.. baka pinasa pasa na yung DSLR.. woooooot!
Nag fedex din me dati, ang tagal. Bukas na din yung pinadalang phone sakin O__O
guess how much i paid? P4,000 para i release. putang ina hinold nila ng ilang days so daily pumpatak ung fee. suppose to be friday at sa house ideliver guess what my gf had to pick it herself kasi dami nila reasons bakit matagal. i had a feeling palusot lng nila un para madagdag ang stocking fee kasi balak nila tuesday pa i deliver. i am gonna write a complaint to them. and to the customer service na they ignored my gf’s call whenever they see her number. humanda kayo i want this on the news.
@kyleb
may nag email sakin dati, sa 24 oras ata or sa saksi, nabasa niya kasi yung pinost ko regarding the issue, gusto sana ako mainterview para daw sa segment nila sa news kaya lang busy ako that time at kapamilya ako, lol, try mo mag contact ng tv news station, kailangan ng mapigilan ang ginagawa nila, sobra na eh.
same experience with customs.
my friend sent fossil watches neatly packed and invoiced as gifts.
kunwari pa e sa harap daw ng pinsan nyabubuksan.
pgopen e ala n ung 2 tin cans and ung 3 watches pinagsamasama sa isang tin can.. which means ala n ung mga protective foam etc, puro gasgas tuloy.
tpos my nerve p cla n icharge cya ng 1900PHP n taxes?
Guys, if ever one of you goes up against these people through media or whatever, i can contribute by giving my story as well… dapat talaga maexpose na mga bwayang customs na yan.
guys share your stories here malay natin mapansin to at maayos
http://bmpm.abs-cbnnews.com/blogs/ems-post-office.html
Hello folks! I’m doing research regarding case studies the Bureau of Customs messing with people’s packages. Are there folks who are willing to share their stories?