Pre-Order Discussions

May 21, 2023:

• My apologies on the forum being down for almost a week; this was the result of a misunderstanding between Sean and me.  Yes, we're working on a new website, and hope to take it live as soon as feasibly possible--BUT we're not ready just yet to swap everything over.  Especially as Invision (forum host) is being a stick in the mud when it comes to getting a dump of the forum data: last time, they dragged their feet for almost 2 months before finally coughing one up.
  • I am tentatively planning the switch for approximately the end of next month.  Should allow us enough time to get the new website completed through and ready for customers to use.  Obviously, we will have to lock this forum shortly beforehand (so we don't lose any messages), then shut it down, demand a dump (which they have to provide per their terms)...port it into the new forum software, switch EVERYTHING over, and then go live.  Not the easiest thing to do--but in the long run completely worth it.
• I'm beyond fed up with the local shipping company.  As far as I know, the import paperwork is STILL not completed, and their absolutely stupid questions regarding the goods are driving me up a wall.  I thought basic reading comprehension was a requisite for jobs.  Let's not mention the necessity of basic Google search skills too, shall we?
  • Let's take a screw with the following information on the PI (Proforma Invoice) that I sent them: "Large Flat Head Cross Machine Screws SS304 M4*6".  And they ask me the following questions:
    • "What type of material is it made out of?"
    • "What length is it?"
    • "What type of head does it have?"
  • I mean, how about some basic sanity checks?
• At the current time, we have ALL of the materials required for production of the GS inverters--EXCEPT for two parts BOTH handled by U.S. companies:
  • the bulk goods shipment, handled by Tran---wait, I won't fully name-and-shame them unless they don't straighten out tomorrow.
  • the inverter cases still aren't done.  Welcome to the service of another American company.
  • the only other part handled by a U.S. company (the packing boxes) have been completed for several weeks now.

on YouTube the "Detax" ( a new term by Sean ) was mentioned

what is that???

the CBP is just trying to collect more tax for your imports.....

naming and shaming a transportation company will not have any effect on the taxing authorities.... just blame the politicians for taxing everything they can....that is the reality....

I had to pay an expediter to make out the proper forms and pay the tax of 33 percent when I imported tools into Bolivia South America....this happened two times and I found it more cost effective to buy most all tools within the country's stores....>>>> import and export is highly taxed one way or another...hard to stay under their radar with pallets of imports no matter what you use them for.....

hopefully they do not hold your imported China made pieces and parts too long....🤔

I had to pay an expediter to make out the proper forms and pay the tax of 33 percent 

Going thru US Custom after a 10 hours flight  is the most stressful .    NOT  declare  all items on the correct form  mean  bad thing will happen  and  my items will be seize and tax  and  if I  try to explain  the US Custom  will look harder to seize  more stuff .  I pay the 16 dollars duty and they did not look at the lugguge  for more stuff  to seize .   

I wish it was the CBP/taxing authorities at fault.

It isn't.  It's purely 100% the fault of the local shipping company for simply not even starting to get the documents ready until after the shipment had already landed in the States.  I mean, I'm not educated, but it would seem to me that you'd want all the import paperwork in order BEFORE the ship arrives.

We haven't even gotten to CBP level yet.

On 5/21/2023 at 5:03 AM, Sid Genetry Solar said:

 

• Let's take a screw with the following information on the PI (Proforma Invoice) that I sent them: "Large Flat Head Cross Machine Screws SS304 M4*6".  And they ask me the following questions:
  • "What type of material is it made out of?"
  • "What length is it?"
  • "What type of head does it have?"
• I mean, how about some basic sanity checks?

You expect a shipping company that deals all kinds of products to know the material from SS304 or M4?  If they Google and make a mistake you would accept the penalty?

Yes, I do.  SS304 is an exact specification: stainless steel 304.  Not 316 stainless.  Not carbon steel.  Not plain steel.  Not brass.

Their technical description is "customs broker."  And I'm dealing with an "entry specialist."

This is their job description, not mine.  If I am somehow responsible for handling all of the import paperwork, then why would I need someone else?

I'm double-checking all of the HTS codes they choose.  And I've disagreed with a few--including one that was completely invalid.

The new import forms are a giant pain.  It something that all the companies are dealing with.  They need to create a spreadsheet with all the questions instead on these pages with one part per page.  I can't imagine filling out those pdf forms that would suck if your in import company.  I know you have been patient they are really having a hard time recently.  One of the issues is tracking parts to ensure that parts did not get shipped from company or country that has been blocked or a part might be used for a firearm.  So many odd new rules added and of course the normal weird rules.   

Well, I cold-called an import logistics company in a different state this afternoon.

And let me just say that the old adage "you have only one chance to make a great first impression" definitely rang true.  I was duly impressed with their friendly down-to-the-earth presentation (not corporate nonsense "take the number we give you and we'll talk with you later if we feel like it" like the one handling the current shipment). 
For example, remember that huge issue we had regarding our name being "Genetry Solar"?  This new company...as soon as I said the company name, he immediately asked, "You aren't importing solar panels, are you?"  In other words, what was for us a humanitarian crisis--would be a complete non-issue with a competent import broker.  (The worst part is that by the time the current import broker threw that huge mess in our face, they already had the details of what was in the shipment!)
I also learned that all of this classification nonsense could likely have been totally avoided had the import brokers simply classified the entire shipment under GRI 3: "Classify unfinished or incomplete goods based on the category they would fall under if complete."  (Instead, the current importers went with GRI 1, "Classify goods according to their specific descriptions and terms provided in the tariff schedule.")

Said new import logistics company also said that in order to pass the test to be a licensed importer, you have to be able to find/assign an HTS code within TWO MINUTES.  Heck, it's been two WEEKS with the current company.  In other words, we are truly dealing with basic incompetence.  Or with a company that just could care less.

Let me just say that I am almost certain that we have the import company sorted for the next shipment.  It is quite embarrassing and humbling that we seem to be making huge blunder after blunder...all the while customers are waiting on us to deliver.
...BUT we are learning.  These mistakes will not be repeated again.

Any chance it could be reclassified as gri3 at this stage?

Problem is...I am not getting any responses from the shipping company.  As in ZERO contact.

They were supposed to contact me today at the end of the business day.

Didn't happen.

...that feeling of being powerless to do anything...

Too bad its not like a pizza delivery back in the day, 30 mintues or less, or its on us. . . 😛

customs only want to collect the tax..... not at all concerned about how long it takes the expediter to get it correct or how long it takes to find the real value of the China made imports....

the tax bureaucracy is huge thanks to the politicians rules they make in the 5000 page documents that no one actually reads before they vote on them....

CBP allows things for personal use if not agricultural in a limited amount at the airports,,, but still a royal pain in the axx...

imports for production in pallet quantities will not go under the radar.... best to be as polite as possible to these people...

 I worked for the federal government for 30 years as a supervisor....

I guarantee you it best to be careful what you do.... when dealing /working with the federal government....🤔

Their technical description is "customs broker."  And I'm dealing with an "entry specialist."

I think  a custom broker  can be an entry specialist  who job is to get  your shipment to  Chicago  warehouse  and  his job is done .   The importer  has to  wait for  CBP  to  open all the container to get the HST code  for import duty .  This process is call liquidation of the entry.    The importer can then  pay for  home  delivery  .     Someone who work for CBP  can verify in this forum  will be helpful .  

Sean just posted

Parts delivery expected tomorrow