Who is the thief? Nigerian Customs or Fedex?

Hello everyone. I am kind of new here. I think this a good place to discuss the plight of Nigerians in the hands of Courier services. I have a pathetic story to tell.

See, my brother in the States sent us some items through FedEx. The items include a CPU, a teddy, 3 textbooks, 1 slim digital camera, 1 discman, 2 wristwatches and some chocolates. He had to pay close to $600 to as delivery fee and he was assured that the goods will be delivered to our doorstep.

You can imagine how we felt when FedEx came to our house without our goods but a bill of 63,000 naira. They claimed it was customs duty for our. Well, what could we do? We ran around, gathered that amount and went to their office to pay the so called "customs duty".

We were once more "assured" that our goods will be brought to our home the next day, which was a Friday. FedEx came as promised with our goods, but guess what? They said we had to pay the sum of 3,000 as NDLEA charges before we could collect our parcel. Since we didn't have 3,000 naira with us, the delivery man took our parcel back with him. we had to wait till Monday to pay the money and collect our parcel.

To make matters worse, when we opened the parcel, we found out that the discman and one wristwatch was missing. Also, the installation CD for the digital camera was broken and one has to pay $135 to download the software. You can imagine how furious we all were.

Please can someone tell me if this is the norm with courier services in Nigeria? And which courier service do you recommend we use in future? Pplease I need your views.

Its called "courier" services not "Korea".
I sympathize with you but you should know that the country is corrupt.

Oh oh! Sorry about that gross error. And thanks for the correction.

UPS is the best even though FED-EX and DHL are kinda trying to over take it.......After UPS then DHl..then FEX-Ex = FEX-Up

DHL are very lousy o, infact most service organizations in nigeria are lousy because there are no laws protecting the consumers. Your brother in the states should have sent it through some other nigerian coming into the country, then you wont be liable to any customs duty.

I sympathise with you WL, but I think you should put an official complaint to both FEDEX in Nigeria and in the States. They should give you back any money taken from you which did not form part of the original contract. You should also find out if there was insurance cover on the parcel. If that is the case, you should be entitled to compensation. In any case, if FEDEX have been careless in handling your parcel, then they should at least give you something back as a gesture of goodwill. You have paid a lot for an extremely poor and customer-unfriendly service.

I have used DHL to send parcels (documents) to Nigeria and they were often good (but, it is really not rocket science, is it?). On one occasion they were about 48hrs later than promised and I demanded an apology, which I got.

I wish you luck as you try to reclaim money you have had to spend unnecessarily.

I once used a company called D&K Freignt Services (London) to send some parcels to Nigeria and they were excellent. I did not have to pay any customs duties on the goods and they called me to let me know that my parcels had been delivered in Nigeria. They even spoke to me in Yoruba, which was nice. Unfortunately, I think they only operate from London.

Sesan2:

I sympathise with you WL, but I think you should put an official complaint to both FEDEX in Nigeria and in the States. They should give you back any money taken from you which did not form part of the original contract. You should also find out if there was insurance cover on the parcel. If that is the case, you should be entitled to compensation. In any case, if FEDEX have been careless in handling your parcel, then they should at least give you something back as a gesture of goodwill. You have paid a lot for an extremely poor and customer-unfriendly service.

I have used DHL to send parcels (documents) to Nigeria and they were often good (but, it is really not rocket science, is it?). On one occasion they were about 48hrs later than promised and I demanded an apology, which I got.

I wish you luck as you try to reclaim money you have had to spend unnecessarily.

Complaint will help but i doubt it cos i have used them before...they did the same thing to the goods

Custom charges are standard for some things when bringing them in via courier. And may be those guys shafted you thinking you are into some 'yahoo yahoo' stuff.

Just lay some official complaints and if that doesn't work, let your broda sue the living daylite out of their arse in yankee.

1. Don't use Fedex in to/in Nigeria, the Fedex Nigeria franchise operator is grosslly incompetent. Most people in the US will insist on using Fedex but just say NO. DHL then UPS is my preferred carrier to Nigeria.

2. Expect to pay custom duties on such goods as you received.

3. Document all the steps of the process, when money was paid, what was promised, the actual name of the officers you dealt with and make an official complaint. Follow up the complaint and male a lot of noise. Most people are used to being shafted and only grumble (here and in real space). If you dont demand your rights, nobody will give it to you (In Nigeria and elsewhere, contrary to the impression some people here may give you). Did you take down names and dates? If not, sorry oooo.

4. For such parcels as you received, it may actually be better to send them thru small freight carriers who charge for door-to-door delivery and calculate a flat rate customs duty into their charge.

Hope this helps.

yea yea...its the Nigerian thing,but its no doubt a shame.I have had a few experience myself. I would not want to go through the crisis of comparing the american courier service with that of our blessed nation, but come to think of it again, who is spoiling Nigeria? its Nigerians, the guy who at the customs or NDLEA or NIPOST who opens other person's percel and takes stuff out of it. The fictitious thrumped up charges levied by governmental agencies in Nigeria, I mean charges that have no legislative authorization.All these are done my Nigerians, its just sad.
Hear an experience, two years ago I sent packages to Nigeria and one to The American embassy. They took money from my family under made up custom charges, but when the got to the embassy, they could not, cos the Oyibo fella there said never, the charge was unwarranted. They left without contesting his claim. When I called he said, " your kins men try to scam me off my hard earned dollar". I once sent camera cell phone a few years ago, it never got there. Though I had sent a huge package few years back and it got there safely, you just never know when that one bad guy would be on duty to fool around with your stuff. please let us pray for us all in Nigeria, we do need a reorientation as to value and culture.

File an official compliant with both nigeria and US offices. That most likely won't do much good. The after you file, make as much noise as possible, especially at the nigerian end. Write to as many newspapers as possible, just take it public and cause them public embarassment, that will get them to sit up a bit as companies never ike bad press. Your story scares me WL because i've just had a parsel sent from the states through fed-ex and now i'm panicky. the package isn't anything special or bulky, but it cannot afford to not to get it. But all said and done, i'm almost certain it's the nigerian end that has done some dirty dealings as it's somewhat 2nd nature for such **ish to happen here, and thats where you need to make noise. And to thing you paid all that money. F****** that.

Thanks everyone for your empathy and advice.

We (my family) made official complaints to both ends (fedex USA and fedex Nigeria). The US end gave a refund of the delivery fee paid to them initially. They were suprised at the money we had to pay at the Nigerian end and promised to look into it. Fedex Nigeria did nothing about it and we got tired of dealing with them.

Now, another dilema. A laptop has to be sent to me from the US. I would have prefered to have it sent through anyone coming to Nigeria, but dont know anyone coming down around this time (until december). So, i am thinking of using DHL, but i am really scared. I dont want suprises:
Custom charges;
NDLEA fees;
Police tips;
Area boys settlement;
Dellvery charges;
and the likes!

Any suggestion please?

Hmm.. a lappy ay.. That's risky... first off.. don't even go near fed ex... try ups.. BUT.. d sender MUST get a written commitment from them as to what happens if it gets to u in a damaged state or anything... and if its not good enuf, then find another way.. I recently read thru the policy thing of fed ex.. and it didnt sound encouraging.. it said something like in d case of damage or non delivery, they are only liable up to a certain amount, and they r governed by some international treaty of some sort.. And the amount wasnt enough to pay for my package... sheesh.. keep looking.. there must be a way.. just be cautious

I think you should find out from the different authorities how much you will end up paying before it is sent to you. It may well be cheaper buying it in Nigeria. I am sure that is what the Nigerian authorities will prefer and they will have to apply the necessary tax to discourage people having these things sent to them from abroad.

I would be weary of using a company that disappointed me before but you should relate your experience to the new company you want to use and let them assure you that you will not have a repeat of your previous experience. Both the US and Nigerian end of the company should let you know how much you will expect to pay in fees and taxes before you let them ship your good.

I don't know the modus operandi of Area Boys.

I have read so many people's testimony. Let me now share mine also. Two years ago, I ordered for a product worth $250 online using my bank account. I payed $10 extra for the shipping. I was told after my payment was confirmed that the parcel will get to me within two weeks using Fedex. After two weeks, the parcel did not get to me. I went to contact them that the product did not get to me. I was sent the statement of the shipping with date. Up till now the parcel has not got to me. Maybe it will get to me before the end of this year. I know the delivery problems we face here cannot be in the US but in Nigeria. Why on earth should somebody take something that does not belong to him?

Some people are working towards the progress of the nation while some are working towards its going down. I dont know what we can do to them (Fedex) I think the best they deserve for now is a public disgrace suggested by somebody. I dont think appealing can work in Nigeria. We need to disgrace them so that people will not patronise them again.

Hello White Lady,

I'm sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with courier companies and really understand how you feel.Nigerian courier companies could at times be careless and unfeeling with other peoples property.This causes embarassing situations for clients such as yourself.I suggest that you use the services of an experienced e commerce company like mine.We are always willing to help and can arrange for your orders to be shipped at the lowest minimum costs compared to normal courier rates.We ship from the US.All we need is a description of the item you are shipping and the shipping weight in kg.If you do not have the weight the description will suffice and we will send you the shipping quote for express,air or seafreight shipping.Beleive me this is our specailty and we ship to Port Harcourt,Benin,Lagos and,Abuja presently.You may fill out the order form on our website and indicate in the comments coloumn that all you want us to do for you is to ship your item.I can bet you our prices will always be cheaper no matter what and more effective because we know how to pressure the courier companies.Our shipping rates are on our website for more information log on to www.aesthetica-int.com or call 08034139537.Please note that all orders outside port harcourt will arrive in 7 buisness days instead of 6.I hope we will be priveledged to satisfy your needs.Have a wonderful day.

The 63g u paid were u issued a receipt for it or let me not say it.They can be sued so far the items kept in there possession was damaged,you can still get them to sort you if you want it because they wont want there name dragged all arund,


Better luck next time

whitelady

good to know you filed your complaint in the US

but dont leave the nigerian end like that GO TO THE NEWSPAPERS punch guardian and thisday

let them publish so that FEDEX in nigeria will be made accountable for the INCOMPETENCE

its about time people are held accountable so they'll stop illtreating others

Hi,

I'm a shipping company that does Roll on Roll off shipping for cars and suv's from 1500.00 to 2600.00 depending on the size and the country its going to. We are also a DHL Authorized shipping center that provides 30-40 percent off of all DHL shipments, We also do ocean cargo to Nigeria @ $350 per CBM. We are located in Orange, NJ, and accept Credit Cards for all DHL Shipments. We are a licensed and bonded company and licensed with the FMC as a NVOCC. for more information please contact us @ 973-674-8932. or via email at wweekes@gmail.com

WE ACCEPT VISA & MASTERCARD, WE ARE LOCATED IN NJ BUT I CAN SEND SHIPPING LABELS TO YOU VIA FAX OR EMAIL.


--
WESLEY W. WEEKES JR.
International Logistics Coordinator
WW Messenger & Shiping Co.
51 Main St.
Orange, NJ 07050
Phone: 973-674-8932
Fax: 973-675-1300
Email: wweekes@gmail.com
A DHL Preferred Provider

Resently,I got a inquiry from Alibaba.I contacted him via Yahoo message and called him once.Finally,he asked us to send him sample for free.I have been in the trade forum before,I have known that in Nigeria there are a lot of frauds.So I am very carefull with this customer.I asked him if he can give me express account to pay the feight,he promised me that he can pay the ship charge fast .Soon,he gave me an account number from Fedex,I was a lttle rest with this.

Then I prepared the goods as soon as I can.When I finished the samples and called Fedex,they said they couldn't accept payable at destination in Nigeria.I was shocked.I was cheated.Oh,my god!

I told him about Fedex,then he gave me a reply with a long passage related to "ship manager @ Fedex" and still asked me about the sample. today.I told him if need us to pay the ship charge ,I cannot help him with the sample.

What the next step ,he want to do ?

I will continue to tell you.Who has the same experience ,please share with us?

I have been using DHL for my courier services, sometimes the parcel is delayed beyond the expected date of arrival, but apart from that they are quite reliable, UPS is damn too expensive,just sent a parcel through FEDEX today, hope they wont disappoint me.

@poster

its not a norm in the courier industry. lf those missing items where manifested in the waybill, Fedex shd be held responsible to replace or pay for it. Also they shd be made to replace the broken item, this is a most. is not really Fedex Nigeria that will pay, but the Sending or origin Station. So your brother shd ask for these replacement from there.

Yes, you ought to pay those charges, Fedex paid those charges before the shipment could be cleared, and the amount paid is a function of the decared value of the goods your brother wrote on the airwaybill. Thats why some people lower the value.

FedEx i have nothing to say about them they have made me sweat before. But is it not funny that i send things Laptops, watches ,perfumes sometimes 3 laptops at once from the post office in USA to the post office in Nigeria i have done this at least 7 times not one item is missing, everything is always accounted for. all they do is send a slip to your house or better still if you use priority to Nigeria which is about 6 to 8 business day just show up at the general post office i mean like one in Lagos Marina and you will get your goods. you will have to pay some money but at the end of the day it is cheaper than FedEx i pay about $180 to send 3 laptops .
So you see in some aspects it is not a Nigerian factor the company is just hopless.

White lady  @ where are you from self ? see how she just dey talk about nigerian as if her country is not  corrupt,  if you are not a nigerian go face whatever problem you have alone , i pay over 5000k  usd for goods from holland  the goods got to turkey, and there so call Custom  brought a letter that i got a parkage i was happy that money don come lol, because after i recived the goods i will sell them over 10k usd here ,the so call Custom  charge me another 5k for the same goods , i refuse to pay it and they return it back to holland the 7th day ,  i later send the same goods to nigeria by  TNT cargo to nigeria it get there savely , please stop talking about nigerian as if your country are good ok? why una dey pity white people? they do more then what she experienced. if i did not report the turkish Customs they will stil the goods ,they did same to many friends ,  i love my country Nigeria is the No.1 in the world ,believe or not when you travel you will understand what i mean

Nigerian customs are legal criminals.

Hi everyone

i've gone through the earlier replies and all i can do is shiver with fear because i am about to ship a laptop from the US using FEDEX. the guy sending it suggested FEDEX (i think almost everybody in the US does). To be candid i no get any money for custom fees e t c. (after i have paid for shipping and all the necessary duties). i feel all the money should be included in the shipping cost once and for all.

The question is - is the customs fee only peculiar to FEDEX or the same with other shipping agencies? which other courier can i use that is reliable and not too expensive. pls i need suggestions.

thanks

I'm a shipping company that does Roll on Roll off shipping for cars and suv's from 1500.00 to 2600.00 depending on the size and the country its going to. We are also a DHL Authorized shipping center that provides 30-40 percent off of all DHL shipments, We also do ocean cargo to Nigeria @ $350 per CBM. We are located in Orange, NJ, and accept Credit Cards for all DHL Shipments. We are a licensed and bonded company and licensed with the FMC as a NVOCC. for more information please contact us @ 973-674-8932. or via email at wweekes@gmail.com

WE ACCEPT VISA & MASTERCARD, WE ARE LOCATED IN NJ BUT I CAN SEND SHIPPING LABELS TO YOU VIA FAX OR EMAIL.


--
WESLEY W. WEEKES JR.
International Logistics Coordinator
WW Messenger & Shiping Co.
51 Main St.
Orange, NJ 07050
Phone: 973-674-8932
Fax: 973-675-1300
Email: wweekes@gmail.com
A DHL Preferred Provider

send us your company website

Thanks

i have sent you a mail

adebisi1; im not quite sure what you like about Nigeria, with regards to what the woman is complaining about. If you have really travelled outside Nigeria, then you should know that the corruption in Nigerian establishments as well as their lousy business practices, hinders a lot of people from wanting to have anything to do with Nigeria at all. You should be proud of Nigeria, but not when they are clearly sabotaging the growth of the entire country through activities like corruption. Nigeria is getting more corrupt everyday and its people like you who have been abroad and seen better that should stand up and speak out against it and not say you are "proud" of it.

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