The Dreaded DHL Package Hostage Case

[greeneyes]

Just FYI, I placed an Estervals order with shipping via UPS and received my order in a few days, no hassle re tobacco.

 

[greeneyes]

I placed a second order from Estervals via UPS and got my package inspected by the FDA and slapped with $169 of import fees. UPS can kiss my .... future business goodbye.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I placed a second order from Estervals via UPS and got my package inspected by the FDA and slapped with $169 of import fees. UPS can kiss my .... future business goodbye.

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What in the everloving... what is this world coming to?

Been over 20 years since I worked at that UPS hub, sorry I can't help ya out.

 

[greeneyes]

What in the everloving... what is this world coming to?

Been over 20 years since I worked at that UPS hub, sorry I can't help ya out.

It is the "brokerage fee" scam.

UPS are charging me $167 in fees just for forwarding the $0.27 of import tax I owe to the federal government.

I'm furious.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

It is the "brokerage fee" scam.

UPS are charging me $167 in fees just for forwarding the $0.27 of import tax I owe to the federal government.

I'm furious.

What's the retail on the tobacco?

 

[greeneyes]

What's the retail on the tobacco?

Around $300. You can see the "government charges" above were $0.27.

I looked this up, apparently this is a racket that UPS has via a company they specifically set up for the purpose: UPS Customhouse Inc.

 

[greeneyes]

So just an update: my box arrived and there was no paperwork from the FDA, stamps, or any indication whatsoever that it was opened or inspected.

 

[woodsroad]

So just an update: my box arrived and there was no paperwork from the FDA, stamps, or any indication whatsoever that it was opened or inspected.

Did you pay the ransom?

 

[orlandofurioso]

Well my first order with Estervals went about as I expected. Held up in Cincinnati. The DHL representative reached out and wants me to fill out multiple forms, one being a Tobacco Import Permit. Has anyone ever gone through the process of actually obtaining the permit? I know there's a post about this situation from a couple of years ago where Greeneyes went through a similar situation but he got by without the tobacco import permit

So, not really "discrete" shippnig from Germany ?

 

[greeneyes]

Did you pay the ransom?

I paid the ransom via PayPal. Then as soon as the package was delivered, I disputed the payment and explained the situation, and told PayPal that I opted to pay the FDA myself.

I won.

Of course, there was no evidence the FDA even looked at my package. It hadn't been opened, no stamps or paperwork. No official notice from the FDA. It's a con. UPS is just brining in money for nothing.

 

[woodsroad]

I paid the ransom via PayPal. Then as soon as the package was delivered, I disputed the payment and explained the situation, and told PayPal that I opted to pay the FDA myself.

I won.

Of course, there was no evidence the FDA even looked at my package. It hadn't been opened, no stamps or paperwork. No official notice from the FDA. It's a con. UPS is just brining in money for nothing.

You done good, sir.
Thank you.

 

[pappymac]

Five days after it was scheduled to be delivered by DHL Express, my Esterval's order has arrived at my house.
It arrived at the local DHL distribution center on Sunday, May 12th and sat there for two days. I reached out to DHL and was told that Customs had put a hold on my package and it had to be sent back to Atlanta. I hadn't heard anything more until it arrived.

No explanations on the delay.