Transactional value and Customs assessment

P

PJT

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Jan 8, 2002
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It has recently come to pass the values of imported products recorded for this poster's Mail Boxes (MBE) pre-alerted shipments have been increased by Customs over the invoice value. Recently an Amazon product, silica gel packets, valued at US$ 8, the transactional value was appraised by Customs as US$ 25. This poster's history has been whatever value was invoiced Customs generally agreed. It has been routine Customs normally will assess a market value until the recent change. It seems the Customs handbook for product values is suggesting higher amounts. Has anybody encountered similar? Wondering if Customs is pushing higher assessments of tax borderline shipments to tax products over US$ 200? It was recent history Customs was shut off from taxing import shipments under $200. Are the higher assessments its response?

Regards,

PJT
 
P

PJT

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Jan 8, 2002
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cavok said:
How do you even know what value aduanas is putting on the item? I've never seen it anywhere(?).
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One can view the value on MBE's website for his account when his package is available for pick-up. It provides a breakdown of charges under "details" on the account billing for the shipment.

Regards,

PJT
 
CristoRey

CristoRey

Welcome To Wonderland
Apr 1, 2014
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I've never heard of this happening but it's not like we have anyone to file a complaint with should they decide too.
Using EPS for over a decade now. Zero complaints.
 
C

cavok

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PJT said:
One can view the value on MBE's website for his account when his package is available for pick-up. It provides a breakdown of charges under "details" on the account billing for the shipment.

Regards,

PJT
Click to expand...
I don't have MBE but I've never seen this on BMC's or Domex's facturas(?).
 
P

PJT

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Jan 8, 2002
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cavok said:
I don't have MBE but I've never seen this on BMC's or Domex's facturas(?).
Click to expand...
When you provide a pre-alert with a copy of the invoice to MBE when the shipment is made it is used to advise MBE and Customs of product and value. The owner, you, can see the aduanas value on MBE's website for your account when it is ready for pick-up.

Regards,

PJT
 
JD Jones

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
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PJT, I've moved over 2,500 packages with DOMEX, and I've never provided a pre-alert.

I can count on one hand the times they have asked me for an invoice, and I do not remember any interaction with customs. ever.

My packages arrive around a week or from the shipped date and and usually in 4-5 days from the time DOMEX advises me of it's arrival.

Example: I ordered some parts for my neighbor last Friday on Amazon and they were delivered to me today.
 
C

cavok

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PJT said:
When you provide a pre-alert with a copy of the invoice to MBE when the shipment is made it is used to advise MBE and Customs of product and value. The owner, you, can see the aduanas value on MBE's website for your account when it is ready for pick-up.

Regards,

PJT
Click to expand...
Ok. I've never had to provide a prealert to BMC or Domex. I do get an email notification when it's available for pick-up along with the shipping charges.
 
P

PJT

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Jan 8, 2002
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cavok said:
Ok. I've never had to provide a prealert to BMC or Domex. I do get an email notification when it's available for pick-up along with the shipping charges.
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Note: the pre-alert is for shipment enroute to the US stateside MBE address in Miami so they can prepare its intake of the shipment from the domestic carrier. It provides MBE information for a prompt export preparation, forwarding, and assists Customs clearance in Miami and Santo Domingo.

Regards,

PJT
 
J

JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
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I use Domex, and always do the pre-alerta with my Amazon purchases. I'd do the same if purchasing from another vendor, but haven't used others yet. I've had a few packages from family that I obviously cannot do the pre-alerta because there is no invoice. And yes, I have never seen a valuation of the package on my Domex receipts, so if Aduana is posting a different value in some system somewhere, I don't know that. If ever there was a problem with Aduana saying the value is over the magic $200 USD threshold, I hope Domex would help fight that battle.
 
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P

PJT

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JLSawmam said:
I use Domex, and always do the pre-alerta with my Amazon purchases. I'd do the same if purchasing from another vendor, but haven't used others yet. I've had a few packages from family that I obviously cannot do the pre-alerta because there is no invoice. And yes, I have never seen a valuation of the package on my Domex receipts, so if Aduana is posting a different value in some system somewhere, I don't know that. If ever there was a problem with Aduana saying the value is over the magic $200 USD threshold, I hope Domex would help fight that battle.
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Not familiar with Domex. Just thinking... if its online website allowing a pre-alerta may have a shipment details link that can be opened with a click positioned in a hidden corner of a webpage You may want experiment at home or ask a Domex agent familiar with the website. The MBE (details) online information is available to be viewed (to see its billing info.) only at time of arrival at pick-up location, not before. It is wiped by them after customer receives shipment.

Regards,

PT
 
C

cavok

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I don't see any reason to use pre-alerta(?). All my shipments with BMC and Domex have always arrived promptly w/o delay or problems. The BMC agent told me to send her a copy of the invoice if the item is over $200. I guess that's what's called a pre-alerta?
 
J

JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
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cavok said:
I don't see any reason to use pre-alerta(?). All my shipments with BMC and Domex have always arrived promptly w/o delay or problems. The BMC agent told me to send her a copy of the invoice if the item is over $200. I guess that's what's called a pre-alerta?
Click to expand...
The pre-alerta does include the shipper's tracking number (with Amazon usually UPS or USPS), so that combined with the invoice may be helpful to Aduana because they can see the tracking number on the actual package and know what is inside. If sending something that might be questionable, skipping the pre-alerta could be good. Personally, I don't mind doing it as it only takes about 2 minutes from my busy days :)
 
C

cavok

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JLSawmam said:
The pre-alerta does include the shipper's tracking number (with Amazon usually UPS or USPS), so that combined with the invoice may be helpful to Aduana because they can see the tracking number on the actual package and know what is inside. If sending something that might be questionable, skipping the pre-alerta could be good. Personally, I don't mind doing it as it only takes about 2 minutes from my busy days :)
Click to expand...
If it's not over $200, I doubt they care(?). They open everything.
 
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