Your Experience: Average Time Your Precious Package STUCK in La Aduana?

[Lucas61]

Like you, I avoid buying anything > $200 USD and avoid La Aduana like the plague. Until I have no choice. I've had a Dell computer "stuck" in La Aduana for three weeks. Many of you know the courier Vimenpaq. They have a department that just oversees that function, sending you the tax bill to pay at BanReservas, etc. etc. I have good contacts at Vimenpaq who are always helpful and try their best. My case was escalated a week ago and I still haven't heard anything.

My fear is that my Dell computer comes up "lost," someone goes home with a new computer that I am making payments for on my credit card, payments for something I don't have and never received. Just a fear.

This is only the second time that I've been "forced" to use Customs. The first time five days and as smooth as glass. This time, who knows?

How long have you waited and is my situation "normal" as in "normal abnormal"?

 

[cavok]

I've been buying things off of eBay and Amazon for years. I probably average getting packages every two weeks. I use BM Cargo and things have never been held up in Aduanas for more than maybe two days. Usually, they're not held up at all. Have you registered yourself with Aduanas?

 

[Lucas61]

I've been buying things off of eBay and Amazon for years. I probably average getting packages every two weeks. I use BM Cargo and things have never been held up in Aduanas for more than maybe two days. Usually, they're not held up at all. Have you registered yourself with Aduanas?

Sure, I registered a long time ago. It's required. I don't believe the issue is with Vimenpaq although I can't say for sure. Vimenpaq was recommend to me by members here after I had bad experiences with LogicPaq and I have been using the former for about four years or so, averaging 10-15 packages per month although almost never via Customs.

 

[cavok]

Sure, I registered a long time ago. It's required. I don't believe the issue is with Vimenpaq although I can't say for sure. Vimenpaq was recommend to me by members here after I had bad experiences with LogicPaq and I have been using the former for about four years or so, averaging 10-15 packages per month although almost never via Customs.

How do you get packages here without them going through Aduanas?

 

[Lucas61]

How do you get packages here without them going through Aduanas?

My packages always come to my Vimenpaq delivery location in Sambil and never end up in Customs unless the value is > $200.00, however, one time a package sneaked through by mistake and I didn't need to pay tax.

 

[cavok]

My packages always come to my Vimenpaq delivery location in Sambil and never end up in Customs unless the value is > $200.00, however, one time a package sneaked through by mistake and I didn't need to pay tax.

Unless you or a friend brings it in on a flight, everything coming into the country goes through Aduanas and they open everything, too. Don't forget, that $200 limit includes all taxes and shipping fees except the courier's. I always get a notification from BM Cargo when something is delayed in Aduanas. They told me that, when that happens, they have to contact Aduanas and confirm info for some reason that they don't understand either.

 

[Riva_31]

I have 2 accounts:
EPS - For things that I need to get it fast, my packages after arriving to MIA i get it here within 2 labor days ready to pick up. The price per pound is more expensive but I get it faster.

BM Cargo when Im not in a hurry, they take always a week to bring my package after arriving to MIA.

 

[MiamiDRGuy]

I used had a box that was held at FedEx for 3 months because these assholes at Aduana says there is no paperwork. WTF? FedEx uploaded it online when I was at the FedEx store. What a idiot!

So my wife had to shell other $21,000RD for their BS plus $500RD fee something.

Next time, if you want to ship. Bring it with you on plane, pack in a bag. Fuck Aduana at all cost, they are the #1 agency that ROBS money. That explains they made $4 Billion (RD) monthly.

 

[cavok]

I have 2 accounts:
EPS - For things that I need to get it fast, my packages after arriving to MIA i get it here within 2 labor days ready to pick up. The price per pound is more expensive but I get it faster.

BM Cargo when Im not in a hurry, they take always a week to bring my package after arriving to MIA.

At BM Cargo in Sosua, I almost always have my packages in 3-4 max.

 

[CristoRey]

The only time I've ever had a package held up by customs is when the seller I purchased an
item from forgot to include the receipt so I just copied the invoice and emailed to the courier
and the item was released a day or two later. I have heard many stories of people having to wait weeks to receive
items once they/ customs put a hold on it. I've no idea why.

 

[cavok]

Same here. Occasionally, a seller will forget to put an invoice in the package and it'll be held in aduanas. I send a copy of the invoice to BM Cargo and I have it a day or two later.

 

[malko]

Unless you or a friend brings it in on a flight, everything coming into the country goes through Aduanas and they open everything, too. Don't forget, that $200 limit includes all taxes and shipping fees except the courier's. I always get a notification from BM Cargo when something is delayed in Aduanas. They told me that, when that happens, they have to contact Aduanas and confirm info for some reason that they don't understand either.

Nah, I call BS on the " everything coming into the country goes through Aduana and they open everything too. "

Posting for a friend --- obviously.

He sends boxes from Europe. 1mx1mx1m .
You can stuff a lot in a 1 cubic meter box.
The company does not ask for any invoices, nor do they ask what is in the boxes.
The boxes arrive, at your house in the DR unopened ---- and the guys who deliver have to take a picture and upload it to prove it.

Clearly, it is impossible to put less than 200$ worth of ANYTHING in a 1 cubic meter box.

My friend sends crates of wine/champagne, electronics amongst other stuff, and has never had a problem.

Perhaps Aduana X-ray the stuff, but then how come there is never a problem ?

Anyway, today a bunch of boxes arrived--- my friend and his friends send stuff together----, so I asked the delivery guys about customs and the 200$ rule..... they laughed and said customs was for pendejos. 🤔🤔🤔

 

[windeguy]

Nah, I call BS on the " everything coming into the country goes through Aduana and they open everything too. "

Posting for a friend --- obviously.

He sends boxes from Europe. 1mx1mx1m .
You can stuff a lot in a 1 cubic meter box.
The company does not ask for any invoices, nor do they ask what is in the boxes.
The boxes arrive, at your house in the DR unopened ---- and the guys who deliver have to take a picture and upload it to prove it.

Clearly, it is impossible to put less than 200$ worth of ANYTHING in a 1 cubic meter box.

My friend sends crates of wine/champagne, electronics amongst other stuff, and has never had a problem.

Perhaps Aduana X-ray the stuff, but then how come there is never a problem ?

Anyway, today a bunch of boxes arrived--- my friend and his friends send stuff together----, so I asked the delivery guys about customs and the 200$ rule..... they laughed and said customs was for pendejos. 🤔🤔🤔

Door to Door shipping is different than the way many use BMCargo/Encargopaq/EPS/CPS/ETC couriers... Those other couriers were actually the topic of this thread but you make a good point. For the multitude of small items I get , I use one of those couriers since I have no one to pack a box or barrel for me so I just stick with the no more then $200 limit with them. If I want something that costs more I get a firm fixed price quote from a door to door shipper.

The Door to Door shippers have things so will oiled those boxes and blue barrels slide right around customs. I wish I could easily use them.

 

[malko]

Door to Door shipping is different than the way many use BMCargo/Encargopaq/EPS/CPS/ETC couriers... Those other couriers were actually the topic of this thread but you make a good point. For the multitude of small items I get , I use one of those couriers since I have no one to pack a box or barrel for me so I just stick with the no more then $200 limit with them. If I want something that costs more I get a firm fixed price quote from a door to door shipper.

The Door to Door shippers have things so will oiled those boxes and blue barrels slide right around customs. I wish I could easily use them.

But one would expect those shippers are also subject to the same taxes than the others are, no ?

 

[cavok]

But one would expect those shippers are also subject to the same taxes than the others are, no ?

Those mudanzas, like Awilda Shipping, are an exception. They have some special deal under the table with aduanas and they are paying import duties on everything the bring in("special rate"). I don't know how you could tell if it were opened or not(?). The mudanza is right there at the dock to receive his shipments. Pretty easy to open a box and tape it back up again.

I was referring to courier and FedEx, UPS, and DHL shipments. All of those go through and are opened by aduanas.

 

[william webster]

My mudanza packs for me
I order however many items.... separate - Home Depot/Amazon/whatever -- ship to him

Most recent was 8 tires - 2 sets of four

He packs and brings to me - no taxes

 

[cavok]

My mudanza packs for me
I order however many items.... separate - Home Depot/Amazon/whatever -- ship to him

Most recent was 8 tires - 2 sets of four

He packs and brings to me - no taxes

Those "taxes" are included in the shipping fee you pay to the mudanza.

 

[malko]

Those mudanzas, like Awilda Shipping, are an exception. They have some special deal under the table with aduanas and they are paying import duties on everything the bring in("special rate"). I don't know how you could tell if it were opened or not(?). The mudanza is right there at the dock to receive his shipments. Pretty easy to open a box and tape it back up again.

I was referring to courier and FedEx, UPS, and DHL shipments. All of those go through and are opened by aduanas.

The way it works---in my friend's case---, is you " buy" a cardboard box off the shipper for a 100 chf/$.
You pack it, and when you are ready, you call the shipper and he sends some guys round to your place to pick the boxes up.
They then tie up the box with plastic straps ( the red kind, tough stuff that needs to be cut off ) and then wrap it in plastic.
You pay them, and they give you a receipt.
Remember, the price is fixed, and no one save you knows what is in the box.
A couple of weeks later the box turns up on the DR at your house.

Aduana might plastify your boxes again, if they open them, which is doubtful at best.
But imo, there is no way they are cutting the plastic straps, and then putting new ones on again after they have finished rummaging through a big box...... and in the same colour, please !
Possible, I guess, but doubtful.

 

[cavok]

Aduana might plastify your boxes again, if they open them, which is doubtful at best.
But imo, there is no way they are cutting the plastic straps, and then putting new ones on again after they have finished rummaging through a big box...... and in the same colour, please !
Possible, I guess, but doubtful.

I doubt they open every box, they probably check some every once in a while to keep them honest, but the shipper is right there with the key to his container. He might have those red straps to tie it back up again(?).

 

[william webster]

Those "taxes" are included in the shipping fee you pay to the mudanza.

Yes, clearly..... discounted