|
Post by zed on Sept 21, 2016 11:26:43 GMT
It might have a lot to do with raw wool/animal products, Linn, that is an issue with customs in many places. They want to check for bugs which could be a problem for native animals/wildlife, and also seeds which get trapped in wool so you don't end up with a problem like kudzu or Japanese knotweed.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 12:37:32 GMT
Hi Zed Didn't think of that, could be. In the meanwhile, I had to submit proof of payment of everything I bought :-( as well as supply price lists from everybody I bought from. The latter is impossible because Etsy sellers do NOT have text price lists! So I made screenshots of the individual items and I have just sent it off. Took me most of today to do. Also had to explain exactly why I imported all of these items and what I intend doing with it! What the heck??!!!!! I do feel as if I am being treated like a suspect! It would have been a different case if I imported a whole lot of chemicals and powders and stuff like that ... but really .... wool? !!!!! Regards Linn
|
|
|
Post by MTRuth on Sept 21, 2016 16:02:24 GMT
I do think Zed might be right. I know for sure that Australia doesn't allow raw fiber imports due to that issue.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 16:12:44 GMT
I agree Ruth. Australia is extremely strict with almost everything.
However, because I am working with shipping agents, they would have told me right from the start that I would need an import certificate for the locks, if that was required. Or - they would have told me that South Africa would reject the locks and that they (the agents) are going to return it to the seller(s) or are going to destroy it ... my choice.
So the locks can't be the problem.
FedEx keep on assuring me that my packages aren't suspicious and that it was just "poor luck of the draw" that MY boxes got picked. I have to believe them even though it is very hard to. They (FedEx) also assure me all the time that I WILL get my boxes - it is just a matter of time and having to wait for the red tape system to work through from beginning to end.
They also said that I would make a big mistake by putting pressure on the customs officers by urging them to rush it through because that is when they turn spiteful and really take their time processing everything and would find fault if there isn't even fault. You don't know South Africa and the government officials ... it's people with new-found authority which is sometimes abused, unfortunately :-(
Regards Linn
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 8:08:24 GMT
The latest in my sad saga ... customs and our revenue service are most happy with all the paperwork and contents ... as I knew they would be.
BUT ... now it has to be physically inspected by our state vet! So the FedEx guy called me and said that IF there is any sign of infestation, they will have to fumigate it. I exploded! I told him that he can go through each and every invoice and see for himself that whatever locks I bought have been washed and some even dyed. There are NO VM and obviously no danger to anything or anybody in South Africa.
I warned him that if they bring a drop of liquid near my roving or locks, I would sue them because it would get damaged! He then quickly changed his story and said that the goods would stay at the depot and only the paperwork would be taken to the state vet. Idiot - why cause me such stress? :-(
I just can't understand our country, really I can't :-( They are more concerned about stuff that they don't know a thing about and too lazy to Google, than care about the millions of people without running drinking water or toilets!
Yes, I am highly stressed out about all of this. If I had know before the time about all the procedures, I would have been prepared for it. Next time I will know better and split up my shipments!
Regards Linn
|
|
|
Post by MTRuth on Sept 22, 2016 16:26:37 GMT
Sorry it hasn't come to a quick conclusion. Hope the remainder goes smoothly and you get your order soon.
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Sept 22, 2016 17:01:24 GMT
Hang in there Linn! I hope it is all sorted out soon for you.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 17:09:28 GMT
Thank you Ruth & Marilyn.
Latest : everybody that wanted to check and touch and smell have now satisfied their curiosity and I finally received my invoice for the custom duties, VAT, handling charges and PENALTIES!!!! What the penalties are I don't know - will see when I get my boxes which will have all the paperwork attached to it.
I have paid it all and now HOPEFULLY it will be delivered tomorrow, Friday 23rd September. I will be praying really hard tonight that nothing happens that will throw another spanner in the works.
I have just made supper for the two of us, and as I thought, I could hardly get two mouthfuls down :-( Hopefully by end of this weekend I will get myself back to eating something.
Regards Linn
|
|
|
Post by elizabeth on Sept 22, 2016 21:59:54 GMT
Linn, I'm sorry that you've had to go thru all this, but I've been having fun reading all your eager posts. Still laughing about the finger cots! Next time, how about if I smuggle in a few suitcases worth of fibers? All I ask is help smuggling out a Ragdoll! As soon as you get your shipment, you'll be so happy playing with it that you'll forget what has happened. Kinda like childbirth I'm told.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 2:21:37 GMT
<LOL> Elizabeth ... I tell you what ... our house is quite big ...you are more than welcome to come live with us and the ten Ragdolls :-) Then we can groom them regularly and wet felt their fur as well! <LOL> Every time we groom a Ragdoll, Robert wants to know if I want the fur to blend into my roving once he has made my blending board! <LOL>
Regards Linn
|
|
|
Post by zed on Sept 23, 2016 11:01:41 GMT
It does sound like a lot of unnecessary hassle for a few bits of fibre! I knew we were lucky here having such a wide variety of wools and fibre fairly cheap, but I feel even more so now.
I hope it all comes today and you get to play with it all. Go and get a bag of chips once it arrives!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 11:06:00 GMT
Thanks Zed ... but there won't be any time for eating <LOL> Will be spending lots of hours unpacking, admiring, labelling, more admiring, packing away, taking out again, more admiring, packing away again, take out again for more admiring ... you get the drift? <LOL>
Tomorrow morning I am starting my first scarf .. I know the piece of fabric will be too short (shrinkage factor) so will have to add on felted ends which I will make into dreads.
Going to take my time with it so that I don't make a (huge) mess of it <LOL>
Regards Linn
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 12:55:06 GMT
Boxes are here!!!!! Now for the biiiiiiiggggg inspection!!!
Till much much much later ladies! I promise to take pics :-)
Regards Linn
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 14:05:55 GMT
Taking a quick break ... have to tell you this : the important customs inspector inspected TWO parcels ... one containing a batt and a small bag of dyed locks (same seller). And the other one the organza draw-string gift bags! And that was it!
Both were in the same box, but both boxes were ripped open! Why???!!!!! Three days' delay .. for nothing? Just because you are curious?
When my purchases arrive at the shipping agents, they must open each and every parcel to check contents against the invoice, and obviously that I am not trying to ship something that is against the USA and South African laws. Then they seal up each little parcel with clear tape.
When our customs inspector inspects anything, the tape is white with red print on it. That is how I could tell that only two little packages were opened by our customs inspector.
Now I am even more upset about this stupid delay!
Regards Linn
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 14:11:54 GMT
One more comment ... it was quite an eye-opener to see how some of the sellers took immense care in how they packed and presented my purchases. Lovely short hand-written notes and messages, some even sent a couple of free samples of other fibers, etc.
And then, the one where I spent a lot of money, just threw it all together in a cheap old second-hand bag! <shaking head>
And then there was a Russian lady who was quite abrupt ... she sent the huge bag of gorgeous locks in a beautiful organza bag with a pretty ribbon. I was most surprised because I didn't think she was that kind of person. Shows you how wrong one's perception can be, huh?
Regards Linn
|
|