This is what shows in my tracking, it's been like that since yesterday, courier is FedEx.
Shipping from abroad (share your experience)
This is what shows in my tracking, it's been like that since yesterday, courier is FedEx.
Heard supplements processing and clearing require 7 million LBP per shipment.
For your information and anyone else in the same situation reading.
I decided to go clear the items myself as I needed the supplements.
I went to FedEx cargo center before the airport.
First of all, I paid FedEx 25$ as Delivery Order (اذن تسليم) Or You can call it an official term for straight out theft.
Why would I need to Pay for a delivery order or اذن تسليم For an Order that is for me!? And that shipping has already been paid.
I understand the paper is needed to show to customs, but they should just give it without needing to pay 25$.
One weird thing I noticed, is that the item was in the warehouse of FedEx and was not under customs' hold.
I always though it would've been held at customs since tracking says it's held at customs. But it was just sitting right in the warehouse of Fedex along with hundreds of other packages. (and I assume this is for all shipping firms not just FedEx).
This, in my opinion leaves a big door open for companies to let pass any item or package that they choose, and slip it away from customs without paying anything.
Sure, there is an army and national security checkpoint entering and leaving the premises, but in each warehouse campuses there, they all know each other so it's very easy to let packages pass without properly going through customs.
In fact, I have personally experienced this before with Aramex shopandship.
I ordered a monitor from Amazon US, paid a shit of money for shipping, delivery order, brokerage fees, all customs duties, VAT, handling etc.... And I specifically requested to have all invoice copies in my hand which they handed.
The monitor came in physically damaged.
They agreed to ship in the replacement monitor for me for free, as in no shipping fees this time.
But I thought I would pay the same customs / brokerage / vat fees all over again.
But nothing, it was immediately cleared from customs it wasn't even held, tracking info never mentioned being held at customs.
They snuck it away without paying anything.
Coming back on point.
After laying the 25$ delivery order, they gave me the package in my hand, told me to go to the customs office which is right in the same premises, to start that process.
Once customs gave me all their necessary paperwork, I left the package under their hold, took the documents and went straight to MoH to present for approval.
In MoH the process was rather easy, but because I was late it was around 12, she said leave the papers and pass by the next day.
Supplements for personal use, you'd need to go to the second floor, and make sure you go to whish money to get a 20,000 LBP Stamp invoice with you.
The following day, went to MoH, got my documents with the approval, went straight to airport.
I thought the process would be easy by now, but apparently not.
Went to the same cargo station where FedEx is located, went back to the customs office within that premises (btw it's just a somewhat of a small rectangular room, nothing too big) handed in my papers, and that's when I was surprised to see the officer started handwriting in many additional customs fees and duties.
On the first day, they had estimated my shipment with a worth of 4,000,000 LBP.
Next to that, they noted a few % to pay,
First 5% whatever that is for
Then 11% VAT
Then 3% added on top whatever that is for as well.
Getting the above on the first day, I thought that all I was supposed to pay the next day, was 18% on the 4m LBP estimation which would equal around 800,000 LBP.
BUT again to my surprise, as mentioned, the customs officer started writing in many additional fees, that totaled all around an additional 2,5m LBP which would be around 28$.
I was furious, but what the fuck could I have done.
I paid for my shipment to iHerb total 50$, that is WITH shipping.
And now, to clear it from customs (and from fucking FedEx) I ended paying 53$.
Like what the actual fuck?
Good thing I had LBP with me more than the 800K that I thought I was going to pay, and yes they only take in LBP.
SO, in order to pay this additional 2,5m, you don't actually pay it there.
You need to drive back to their headquarters, which is onto another campus / premises, facing DHL HQ and LibanPost HQ.
And I wouldn't have known all of this if it wasn't for this old man there that forced his services onto assisting me in every step.
The man was nice, and was very helpful, but still the act of straight diving into helping people and expect a return should be gone.
But I said to myself, he was nice and helpful, and being this my first time doing this, his guidance was very helpful, it was fine. He's not an employee there, but he's been there for over 30 years and everybody knows him and he knows everybody.
Anywho, I went onto that building, paid evrrything, after being guided by this old man, which came with me in the car btw as he had some business there as well.
Paid, got the receipts, and went back to the FedEx premises.
Went to customs, got my package, on the way out, there is an office what writes down something in his book (bookeeping I guess) , and on your documents also (to inform the checkpoint on the way out that everything is clear).
And I left.
So yea.
TLDR
package costed 51$ from iHerb, WITH SHIPPING.
To clear it myself, I paid 53$.
And if I wanted FedEx to clear it for me, that would have been an extra 50-55$ as informed by Gezairi (FedEx).
I decided to go clear the items myself as I needed the supplements.
I went to FedEx cargo center before the airport.
First of all, I paid FedEx 25$ as Delivery Order (اذن تسليم) Or You can call it an official term for straight out theft.
Why would I need to Pay for a delivery order or اذن تسليم For an Order that is for me!? And that shipping has already been paid.
I understand the paper is needed to show to customs, but they should just give it without needing to pay 25$.
One weird thing I noticed, is that the item was in the warehouse of FedEx and was not under customs' hold.
I always though it would've been held at customs since tracking says it's held at customs. But it was just sitting right in the warehouse of Fedex along with hundreds of other packages. (and I assume this is for all shipping firms not just FedEx).
This, in my opinion leaves a big door open for companies to let pass any item or package that they choose, and slip it away from customs without paying anything.
Sure, there is an army and national security checkpoint entering and leaving the premises, but in each warehouse campuses there, they all know each other so it's very easy to let packages pass without properly going through customs.
In fact, I have personally experienced this before with Aramex shopandship.
I ordered a monitor from Amazon US, paid a shit of money for shipping, delivery order, brokerage fees, all customs duties, VAT, handling etc.... And I specifically requested to have all invoice copies in my hand which they handed.
The monitor came in physically damaged.
They agreed to ship in the replacement monitor for me for free, as in no shipping fees this time.
But I thought I would pay the same customs / brokerage / vat fees all over again.
But nothing, it was immediately cleared from customs it wasn't even held, tracking info never mentioned being held at customs.
They snuck it away without paying anything.
Coming back on point.
After laying the 25$ delivery order, they gave me the package in my hand, told me to go to the customs office which is right in the same premises, to start that process.
Once customs gave me all their necessary paperwork, I left the package under their hold, took the documents and went straight to MoH to present for approval.
In MoH the process was rather easy, but because I was late it was around 12, she said leave the papers and pass by the next day.
Supplements for personal use, you'd need to go to the second floor, and make sure you go to whish money to get a 20,000 LBP Stamp invoice with you.
The following day, went to MoH, got my documents with the approval, went straight to airport.
I thought the process would be easy by now, but apparently not.
Went to the same cargo station where FedEx is located, went back to the customs office within that premises (btw it's just a somewhat of a small rectangular room, nothing too big) handed in my papers, and that's when I was surprised to see the officer started handwriting in many additional customs fees and duties.
On the first day, they had estimated my shipment with a worth of 4,000,000 LBP.
Next to that, they noted a few % to pay,
First 5% whatever that is for
Then 11% VAT
Then 3% added on top whatever that is for as well.
Getting the above on the first day, I thought that all I was supposed to pay the next day, was 18% on the 4m LBP estimation which would equal around 800,000 LBP.
BUT again to my surprise, as mentioned, the customs officer started writing in many additional fees, that totaled all around an additional 2,5m LBP which would be around 28$.
I was furious, but what the fuck could I have done.
I paid for my shipment to iHerb total 50$, that is WITH shipping.
And now, to clear it from customs (and from fucking FedEx) I ended paying 53$.
Like what the actual fuck?
Good thing I had LBP with me more than the 800K that I thought I was going to pay, and yes they only take in LBP.
SO, in order to pay this additional 2,5m, you don't actually pay it there.
You need to drive back to their headquarters, which is onto another campus / premises, facing DHL HQ and LibanPost HQ.
And I wouldn't have known all of this if it wasn't for this old man there that forced his services onto assisting me in every step.
The man was nice, and was very helpful, but still the act of straight diving into helping people and expect a return should be gone.
But I said to myself, he was nice and helpful, and being this my first time doing this, his guidance was very helpful, it was fine. He's not an employee there, but he's been there for over 30 years and everybody knows him and he knows everybody.
Anywho, I went onto that building, paid evrrything, after being guided by this old man, which came with me in the car btw as he had some business there as well.
Paid, got the receipts, and went back to the FedEx premises.
Went to customs, got my package, on the way out, there is an office what writes down something in his book (bookeeping I guess) , and on your documents also (to inform the checkpoint on the way out that everything is clear).
And I left.
So yea.
TLDR
package costed 51$ from iHerb, WITH SHIPPING.
To clear it myself, I paid 53$.
And if I wanted FedEx to clear it for me, that would have been an extra 50-55$ as informed by Gezairi (FedEx).
ordered from aliexpress, does the retention require anything from my side for the items to be cleared or its just normal libanpost behavior and I just have to to wait?
and the item in question is just a cheap 2$ phone case.
Thank you
@AVOlio thanks for sharing, this is a very valuable tutorial!
It means the sole customs dude still working in the airport will check it, it can take 1 to 3 monthsPRO-crastinator wrotehttps://i.ibb.co/YjXZCbK/Annotation-2024-08-11-144528.png
ordered from aliexpress, does the retention require anything from my side for the items to be cleared or its just normal libanpost behavior and I just have to to wait?
and the item in question is just a cheap 2$ phone case.
Thank you
After that a guy from Libanpost will come at your door claiming he did you a wasta because the package was blocked at Libanpost main stock so you give him a tip + customs clearance.
If your cover is 2$ and the price is printed on the pack they will make you pay 50000 to 100000LL
If no price on the package they can estimate it 10$ and take more.
The Chinese government should put some pressure on our government to facilitate AE shopping like they used to do before
thank you for your replyinfiniteloop wroteIt means the sole customs dude still working in the airport will check it, it can take 1 to 3 months
After that a guy from Libanpost will come at your door claiming he did you a wasta because the package was blocked at Libanpost main stock so you give him a tip + customs clearance.
If your cover is 2$ and the price is printed on the pack they will make you pay 50000 to 100000LL
If no price on the package they can estimate it 10$ and take more.
The Chinese government should put some pressure on our government to facilitate AE shopping like they used to do before
so is it better to tell the seller to print the price on the pack for cheap items?
Every aspect of Life in Lebanon needs a tutorial, especially when it comes to dealing with government institutions.samer wrote@AVOlio thanks for sharing, this is a very valuable tutorial!
Sadly.
And most of the times, they need a wall hack cheat as well.
- Edited
has anyone tried Xshippers before?
About more than 1.5 months ago, I placed an Amazon order and decided to try Xshippers for the first time due to their affordable prices (fed up with Aramex Shop & Ship and their ridiculous customs fees)
After reaching out, they provided me with a US address to ship my Amazon package. After 2-3 weeks, I followed up and they sent me a link with a form to fill out so they could ship my goods (which I was not told about earlier).
After 2 more weeks of follow-up, they informed me that most airlines had temporarily canceled their flights to Lebanon, so they decided to hold the items in the USA inventory. (which makes sense)
After another 2 more weeks, I’m trying to reach out again without any response. I’ve called and messaged them on WhatsApp for over 5 consecutive days, but still haven't received any reply.
Has anyone used their service before?
They are either scammers or have the worst customer service, as they often respond the next day 2 days later.
About more than 1.5 months ago, I placed an Amazon order and decided to try Xshippers for the first time due to their affordable prices (fed up with Aramex Shop & Ship and their ridiculous customs fees)
After reaching out, they provided me with a US address to ship my Amazon package. After 2-3 weeks, I followed up and they sent me a link with a form to fill out so they could ship my goods (which I was not told about earlier).
After 2 more weeks of follow-up, they informed me that most airlines had temporarily canceled their flights to Lebanon, so they decided to hold the items in the USA inventory. (which makes sense)
After another 2 more weeks, I’m trying to reach out again without any response. I’ve called and messaged them on WhatsApp for over 5 consecutive days, but still haven't received any reply.
Has anyone used their service before?
They are either scammers or have the worst customer service, as they often respond the next day 2 days later.
Thanks a lot for your tutorial. Useless hassle as per usual.AVOlio wroteEvery aspect of Life in Lebanon needs a tutorial, especially when it comes to dealing with government institutions.samer wrote@AVOlio thanks for sharing, this is a very valuable tutorial!
Sadly.
And most of the times, they need a wall hack cheat as well.
- Edited
The number 1 thing that infuriates me is being scammed. i ship all my stuff to uae then bring them with someone, there isn't a place on the planet that will charge customs more than the item itself... and they wonder why no one would respect the law. i will send my 2000$ items in a bag with my friends for free and not have people working above the law scam me.. the law says 5% customs + 11% vat which is fair but more than that is pure scam but there is nowhere to complain
Some people use a Trainer for cheating (political wasta)AVOlio wroteEvery aspect of Life in Lebanon needs a tutorial, especially when it comes to dealing with government institutions.samer wrote@AVOlio thanks for sharing, this is a very valuable tutorial!
Sadly.
And most of the times, they need a wall hack cheat as well.
- Edited
Just wanted to share with you my experience; AFAIK there are no customs on electronics imported from the USA and this was the case ever since I started using aramex.
Recently, I ordered a couple of electronics on ebay to Lebanon which was dispatched by ebay. The package moves from the US to an EU country then to Lebanon.
They charged me customs because according to them the package came from France which was a transit country. I explained to them that the shipment is coming from the US and that the waybill mentions that but they didn't care.
Obviously they do it on purpose because it happened twice.
Btw, I took Ascendia 2 month and 8 days to deliver the package to Lebanon and 3 weeks at customs doing nothing and I still didn't get the package because nobody knows where it is.
Recently, I ordered a couple of electronics on ebay to Lebanon which was dispatched by ebay. The package moves from the US to an EU country then to Lebanon.
They charged me customs because according to them the package came from France which was a transit country. I explained to them that the shipment is coming from the US and that the waybill mentions that but they didn't care.
Obviously they do it on purpose because it happened twice.
Btw, I took Ascendia 2 month and 8 days to deliver the package to Lebanon and 3 weeks at customs doing nothing and I still didn't get the package because nobody knows where it is.
9 days later
They said they have a new whatsapp number on their Instagram page. Have you tried contacting it?zizo99 wrotehas anyone tried Xshippers before?
About more than 1.5 months ago, I placed an Amazon order and decided to try Xshippers for the first time due to their affordable prices (fed up with Aramex Shop & Ship and their ridiculous customs fees)
After reaching out, they provided me with a US address to ship my Amazon package. After 2-3 weeks, I followed up and they sent me a link with a form to fill out so they could ship my goods (which I was not told about earlier).
After 2 more weeks of follow-up, they informed me that most airlines had temporarily canceled their flights to Lebanon, so they decided to hold the items in the USA inventory. (which makes sense)
After another 2 more weeks, I’m trying to reach out again without any response. I’ve called and messaged them on WhatsApp for over 5 consecutive days, but still haven't received any reply.
Has anyone used their service before?
They are either scammers or have the worst customer service, as they often respond the next day 2 days later.
Did anyone return a product purchased on Aliepxress?
I bought some cheap stuff from there; just received one of them and had to pay 3$ for a 5$ item. I want to prepare myself if I need to return something. Do I tell the courier to return it? or do I need to ship it myself? Any info would be much appreciated.
I bought some cheap stuff from there; just received one of them and had to pay 3$ for a 5$ item. I want to prepare myself if I need to return something. Do I tell the courier to return it? or do I need to ship it myself? Any info would be much appreciated.
Ordered from MyUS, I have an Amazon Basics multivitamin inside my shipment, Fedex called to get my ID and said I might have to get a clearance from MoH for the supplements but he assured me that the customs are paid for by the shipper (I had myUS pay them online)
Not sure what happens now but if it's not delivered I have to get taxis to drive around and get papers between Fedex and MoH? :/
Not sure what happens now but if it's not delivered I have to get taxis to drive around and get papers between Fedex and MoH? :/
5 days later
I have an item from AliExpress that has no update since the 27th July.
It says "Despatched to overseas (Country code: LB)"
Singapore post
It says "Despatched to overseas (Country code: LB)"
Singapore post
Check a few posts up for a detailed process on how to clear dietary supplements.jaqen h'ghar wroteOrdered from MyUS, I have an Amazon Basics multivitamin inside my shipment, Fedex called to get my ID and said I might have to get a clearance from MoH for the supplements but he assured me that the customs are paid for by the shipper (I had myUS pay them online)
Not sure what happens now but if it's not delivered I have to get taxis to drive around and get papers between Fedex and MoH? :/
If you need further detail, you can contact me directly if you wish.
Is this the first time you use MyUS?
Or are they a frequent forwarder for you?
Are they legit? how are their rates and service?
- Edited
Why did you have to go near the Airport? They told me to come to Sin El Fil they'll give me a file and I can deliver it to the MoH and get it stamped or something.AVOlio wroteCheck a few posts up for a detailed process on how to clear dietary supplements.jaqen h'ghar wroteOrdered from MyUS, I have an Amazon Basics multivitamin inside my shipment, Fedex called to get my ID and said I might have to get a clearance from MoH for the supplements but he assured me that the customs are paid for by the shipper (I had myUS pay them online)
Not sure what happens now but if it's not delivered I have to get taxis to drive around and get papers between Fedex and MoH? :/
If you need further detail, you can contact me directly if you wish.
Is this the first time you use MyUS?
Or are they a frequent forwarder for you?
Are they legit? how are their rates and service?
This is indeed my first time with myUS, it's nice the rates are exactly like the shipping calculator down to the dot and they offer to pay the customs online (DDP) which is nice I used that option as-well. I can access the photos of my shipped items only after they've shipped them and for some reason it's only on the app I can't see it on the website.. otherwise you'll pay extra if you request photos of a package.
But the down side is they only offer US and UK addresses and the problem is I want to ship a bunch of matcha cans from Japan so I will be switching to S&S sometime soon.
They have alot of bad reviews but don't get discouraged, the experience will always change and differ but the pricing is similar to S&S all in all.
The problem is if Libanpost was reliable I wouldn't have had to ship Aliexpress to the US and forward them, it's a hit or miss with them.. so many items with no tracking disappear and everything takes forever with them
EDIT 1: Went to Sin El Fil, they gave me a bunch of papers that have info on the stuff I ordered and I presented it to MoH 2nd Floor, luckily I had 2x10,000 stamps from the covid days that I never used (had 60,000 stamps for MoHE but I never went back lol) and they said to come back tomorrow was around 11:30 , I think they tell everyone to come back tomorrow unless you have 100000 aura or know someone. I didn't pay anything, I saw someone at Fedex paying but I'm not sure if it's because mine is covered by the DDP or not.
EDIT 2: For MYUS, I just canceled my account. They charge a 10$ switching fee cz i switched to the free tier while I was canceling my account. The cancellation process is annoying they make you click on stuff by accident.
I contacted them on WhatsApp and I got the $10 fee refunded and at some point they asked "Shall I canclled the cancellation request?"
EDIT 3: I sent the papers Thursday afternoon and now they sent me that they have to wait for MoT approval and that the first approval was General Security even though they said it was MoT.. yaane they still haven't got it approved by the national assembly
7 days later
- Edited
Received my earphones today, paid them 14$ in AE ....gomrok? 17$!!!
This is the very last time I order anything to Lebanon as long as the corruption masters are still in place.
Btw why is it aramex who delivered and not libanpost while the delivery was AE standard shipping?
This is the very last time I order anything to Lebanon as long as the corruption masters are still in place.
Btw why is it aramex who delivered and not libanpost while the delivery was AE standard shipping?