Unwillingness or incompetence - Commodity Codes

File Number - Tracking Number - ********** 35718

We have used FedEx so many times and yet again their communication and feedback are lacking. In this case the freight forwarder used the incorrect commodity code for a portion of the products in the shipment. This resulted in 15% customs duties to be levied where the products are duty free.

The procedure should be that the clearing agency has to contact the importer (client receiving the goods locally) to determine the commodity code or customs heading. The customer at the end of the day is the liable party and is liable to prosecution or a fine if the supp**** information is incorrect, not the exporter or the clearing agency.

After repeated requests for a voucher of correction (VOC) to be done, both agent who were contacted, Bianca McGee and Jezelle Pieterse were unwilling to do the VOC, neither were any of the callcentre agents. A full week has passed and there is no feedback from FedEx, it seems they will just leave this indefinitely. in the meantime we have clients on our back to receive their goods.

In all our dealings with DHL, UPS and our other ocean freight clearing agents, the procedure is to contact us (importer) and to confirm the commercial invoice and customs headings. As stated previously, we remain liable for the correct allocation of the commodity codes. This was our last shipment with FedEx, even though their service in the US is terrific we cannot afford the horrible service locally.