Aramex global shopper

[Gtx Gaming]

First time buying a couple of small things on Aliexpress, used my AGS address in Aus. Realised that none of these items are combined, 6 items, the most expensive one was $12.

Now AGS will charge me R400 per item probably, damn shitshow, some items are like $2 and I really do not want them that badly.

Yep they don't combine, so shipping and customs clearance fee for each parcel

 

[Tinuva]

First time buying a couple of small things on Aliexpress, used my AGS address in Aus. Realised that none of these items are combined, 6 items, the most expensive one was $12.

Now AGS will charge me R400 per item probably, damn shitshow, some items are like $2 and I really do not want them that badly.

Why would you do that...

Aliexpress shipping to SAPO has improved recently when using the Aliexpress shipping method. I get items now between 4-6 weeks from order. Which, is probably similar to how long AGS takes.

 

[xrapidx]

How is myus in comparison to ags?

EDIT: Last order went through without any major issue - still need to see if it'll be delivered. Received shipping payment email, then received customs email which showed nothing - I contacted them by chat and they said the emial was sent by mistake - received an email again today, nothing in browser, checked on app - and it had the customs, so paid there.

 

[SAV]

Not sure if I've missed something, but the US address is gone?

 

[Mirai]

How is myus in comparison to ags?

EDIT: Last order went through without any major issue - still need to see if it'll be delivered. Received shipping payment email, then received customs email which showed nothing - I contacted them by chat and they said the emial was sent by mistake - received an email again today, nothing in browser, checked on app - and it had the customs, so paid there.

MyUS is fast. You can either prepay duties and have your item sent by FedEx or DHL or you can go the cheapest route and then pay duties here with the courier company as the cheapest shipping option doesn't prepay duties. Unlike AGS, MyUS only does the declaration and then you have to deal with the courier or if you prepay duties, then no worries, they'll only contact you for your SARS import code or ID number.

To consolidate with MyUS you need to pay their subscription fee. AGS doesn't do consolidations regardless though.

 

[Mirai]

Not sure if I've missed something, but the US address is gone?

Still have it:

Account #:

Name:
Address Line1: 4297 Express Lane, Sarasota, FL 34249
Address Line2:
City: Sarasota
State: Florida
Zip Code: 34249-2602
Tel: 9413262501
Available Services:


AGS Protect

MyUS had the same kind of address, Express Lane, Sarasota.

 

[xrapidx]

EDIT: Last order went through without any major issue - still need to see if it'll be delivered. Received shipping payment email, then received customs email which showed nothing - I contacted them by chat and they said the emial was sent by mistake - received an email again today, nothing in browser, checked on app - and it had the customs, so paid there.

And delivered. Around two weeks from placing the order.

Experience a bit better than my first order.

 

[Pho3nix]

Somewhat unrelated. Amazon Order went through Aramex (no longer DHL ) and the driver just called and didn't pitch. Called the call-centre and was told I needed to wait it out and the driver will try again tomorrow.

 

[xrapidx]

Somewhat unrelated. Amazon Order went through Aramex (no longer DHL ) and the driver just called and didn't pitch. Called the call-centre and was told I needed to wait it out and the driver will try again tomorrow.

They've been using Aramex for ages. Haven't had issues on my side. Amazon still use DHL for returns though.

 

[Mirai]

Somewhat unrelated. Amazon Order went through Aramex (no longer DHL ) and the driver just called and didn't pitch. Called the call-centre and was told I needed to wait it out and the driver will try again tomorrow.

There are two delivery options for Amazon.com. The slower Aramex and the faster DHL. You must have chosen Aramex by mistake.

 

[zawatchman]

Just a heads up. I am not sure if I will continue to use AGS after my most recent experiences. On multiple occasions now, my items at 4297 Express Lane, Sarasota, FL 34249 (Florida) have been flagged with status Special Situation and a nondescript reason 'Multiple'. The status of the 1st package changed by itself after some time, but the 2nd package (same contents as the 1st, and actually delivered before the 1st) is still not moving and all my efforts and engagements with AGS South Africa have come up fruitless. It's been nearly 2 weeks since delivery at AGS...

 

[feo]

I know this isn't an AliExpress thread but I have a question about whether to use AGS or the "Fedex IP" shipping option in AliExpress.

The past couple of pages show that AGS is hit or miss and that was the case for me years ago too.

If I Google "Fedex IP", it's their international priority service and it's a pretty cheap shipping option on Ali, but is that door-to-door? I can't deal with local PO (do they even exist?)

So Fedex IP vs AGS, which would you go for?

 

[Mordecai]

AGS is extremely slow these days. I had to make multiple calls to get the parcel allocated and cleared from customs. All my documents where submitted on the first day. See below, I still have not received my parcel:

Location	Date	Activity
Cape Town, South Africa	03/28/2024 13:15	Forwarded to Delivery Office
Cape Town, South Africa	03/27/2024 23:28	Under processing at operations facility
Sandton, South Africa	03/26/2024 23:18	Departed Operations facility – In Transit
Sandton, South Africa	03/26/2024 17:54	Departed Operations facility – In Transit
Sandton, South Africa	03/26/2024 08:51	Shipment Update - Code 1 | MRN: JSA2024314XXX
Sandton, South Africa	03/26/2024 08:51	Cleared from Customs
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	03/26/2024 08:24	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Pending Customs Release
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	03/25/2024 15:39	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Pending Customs Release
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	03/25/2024 07:39	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Pending Customs Release
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	03/22/2024 14:34	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Pending Customs Release
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	03/22/2024 10:25	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Pending Customs Release
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	03/20/2024 15:59	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Pending Customs Release
Cape Town, South Africa	03/20/2024 14:02	Shipment charges paid
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	03/20/2024 12:23	Under processing at operations facility
Sandton, South Africa	03/18/2024 15:42	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Commercial Invoice Required
Johannesburg, South Africa	03/18/2024 15:41	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Commercial Invoice Required
Dubai, United Arab Emirates	03/18/2024 07:28	Departed Operations facility – In Transit
Cape Town, South Africa	03/18/2024 05:38	Shipment charges paid
Dubai Express Hub, United Arab Emirates	03/17/2024 01:09	Under processing at operations facility
Sydney, Australia	03/14/2024 10:21	Departed Operations facility – In Transit
Fastway Couriers, Australia	03/12/2024 14:25	Received at Origin Facility
Sydney, Australia	03/12/2024 12:14	Record created.
Sydney, Australia	03/12/2024 12:14	Received at Origin Facility

 

[Mirai]

My TOTO TCF4911TH is on its way from Bangkok. 9.25kg package, cost me R4100 as shipping. Aramex marked the value as $100 so far and that was prior to receiving the invoice, which means they insured it as $100. I sent them the invoice from the Thai Toto reseller and an explanation as the invoice is in Thai but the dates, prices and name of product is in English.

​

 

[Mirai]

That's my AGS journey for this consignment.

AGS would not accept the original invoice which was mostly in Thai, from Majestic Home. Thankfully the people at that company provided me with an English invoice. I emailed and uploaded that to AGS. What's funny is that AGS Thailand marked the shipment value as $100 (and I chose insured shipping, which should mean a surcharge) but this item is worth considerably more and shipment charges include insurance but looks like I won't have to pay that insurance fee. Anyway after paying the duty which is 20% for this sort of item and VAT and that seems a bit higher than what I calculated myself (based on the Rand amount which came off my credit card), customs are now asking AGS for the invoice, although that's strange given my item was inspected for two days at least, by customs beforehand.

Sandton, South Africa	04/10/2024 10:23	Shipment Update - Code 13: Shipment Queried by Customs | MRN:
Cape Town, South Africa	04/09/2024 17:58	Shipment charges paid
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	04/09/2024 07:54	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Pending Customs Release
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	04/08/2024 10:17	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Pending Customs Release
O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa	04/05/2024 15:31	Under processing at operations facility
Sandton, South Africa	04/05/2024 11:11	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Commercial Invoice Required
Sandton, South Africa	04/04/2024 13:54	Shipment Held for Customs Clearance - Commercial Invoice Required

If I track this Waybill no on Aramex I get this:

The package is currently going through customs inspection for the 8 and 9th of April.

 

[tRoN]

Possible that customs opened and inspected the package and considered that the value was under declared

 

[Mirai]

Possible that customs opened and inspected the package and considered that the value was under declared

SA customs are a bunch of cnuts. What will satisfy them? Credit card statement?

I now get this:

Shipment Update - Code 31: Additional Information Required\​

To notify the declarant that further specific information, trade documentation, product related
literature, or proof is required.

I hope it's not something stupid. It's not a wifi connected device but it is an electrical device. But it's for personal use. I sent a query to Aramex.

In a country as corrupt and collapsing as SA, these fsckers are asking for paperwork for ordinary personal shopping.

 

[Norrad]

SA customs are a bunch of cnuts. What will satisfy them? Credit card statement?

I now get this:

Shipment Update - Code 31: Additional Information Required\​

To notify the declarant that further specific information, trade documentation, product related
literature, or proof is required.

I hope it's not something stupid. It's not a wifi connected device but it is an electrical device. But it's for personal use. I sent a query to Aramex.

In a country as corrupt and collapsing as SA, these fsckers are asking for paperwork for ordinary personal shopping.

Did you ship it in using your ID number or an importer's code? If it was on your personal ID number then try to ask the manufacturer to send you a copy of the wiring diagram and send it to AGS. Customs has issues with a lot of electronic items from South East Asia, that in any way interact with water. Apparently, their earthing leaves a lot to be desired.

If you used an importers code then it's way more complicated and you will probably receive a letter from Customs asking for SABS certification. You could find a local distributer and ask them for their SABS certification and show that to customs.

 

[Mirai]

Did you ship it in using your ID number or an importer's code? If it was on your personal ID number then try to ask the manufacturer to send you a copy of the wiring diagram and send it to AGS. Customs has issues with a lot of electronic items from South East Asia, that in any way interact with water. Apparently, their earthing leaves a lot to be desired.

If you used an importers code then it's way more complicated and you will probably receive a letter from Customs asking for SABS certification. You could find a local distributer and ask them for their SABS certification and show that to customs.

Thanks for this. Unfortunately no local companies stock Toto products, even though North America, EU, Thailand, HK, Singapore, Korea etc all stock these.

This product should be wired and grounded correctly as it's a Malaysian made product for the Thai market, they produce the same product for Singapore and other countries as well. They have similar devices on sale in the European Union as well. Majestic Home is listed on the official Toto website as an authorised reseller and Toto Japan would probably not put their name next to a dodgy product. Anyhow I've contacted the manufacturer's Thai division and the global one to see if they can help a tourist who returned with one such device with what you mentioned in anticipation of any pedantry from our customs. I've previously had some success with Japanese companies who sometimes help a foreign customer out, so I could try that next. I really don't see why SARS would be doing that given that the item is not for resale. Why is SARS concerned about what I install at home or not install. I suppose I could be buying this for educational purposes for disassembly to figure out how the thing works.

I have one such device from Hyundai WacorTech in Korea and the PCB is sealed in clear silicon. These are safe devices.

Anyhow AGS responded today with this:

your shipment is on customs query which is a random audit please submit Summary = Commercial invoice with incoterm of sale and to complete clearance on your shipment.

Please see below description of incoterms

Incoterms are rules which define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers. They specify who is responsible for paying for and managing the shipment. The agreement or term of sale you made with the supplier. Most common used incoterms are;

EXW -means that a buyer incurs the risks of bringing the goods to their final destination.

DDP- means that the seller is responsible for clearing the goods through customs in the buyer's country, including both paying the duties and taxes

DAP- means, all carriage expenses with any terminal expenses are paid by seller up to the agreed destination point.

So here customs is asking for one of the above to be stated on your invoice, in order for them to revert back to us with either a release or requesting further supporting documents.

Also why would AGS ask me to get an invoice with EXW? I mean they are the actual agents, AGS is an intermediary for companies which DON'T EXPORT. Surely they should be doing that?

About the ID number, I did not provide an importer's code this time so hopefully it's still on my ID number. I did not provide an ID number at all as far as I know. Maybe when I created the AGS account.

 

[tRoN]

Thanks for this. Unfortunately no local companies stock Toto products, even though North America, EU, Thailand, HK, Singapore, Korea etc all stock these.

This product should be wired and grounded correctly as it's a Malaysian made product for the Thai market, they produce the same product for Singapore and other countries as well. They have similar devices on sale in the European Union as well. Majestic Home is listed on the official Toto website as an authorised reseller and Toto Japan would probably not put their name next to a dodgy product. Anyhow I've contacted the manufacturer's Thai division and the global one to see if they can help a tourist who returned with one such device with what you mentioned in anticipation of any pedantry from our customs. I've previously had some success with Japanese companies who sometimes help a foreign customer out, so I could try that next. I really don't see why SARS would be doing that given that the item is not for resale. Why is SARS concerned about what I install at home or not install. I suppose I could be buying this for educational purposes for disassembly to figure out how the thing works.

I have one such device from Hyundai WacorTech in Korea and the PCB is sealed in clear silicon. These are safe devices.

Anyhow AGS responded today with this:



Also why would AGS ask me to get an invoice with EXW? I mean they are the actual agents, AGS is an intermediary for companies which DON'T EXPORT. Surely they should be doing that?

About the ID number, I did not provide an importer's code this time so hopefully it's still on my ID number. I did not provide an ID number at all as far as I know. Maybe when I created the AGS account.

What is the product exactly ? Is it a toilet?