arzan87 Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Hey Guys, So today customs found my tobacco, 1.5 kg sent from hookahcompany.com, declared as "Flavoured Molasses". The duty on 1.5kg here in Aus is $491.66 plus GST which makes it $549.83 I'm thinking of returning it, but just seeking some quick suggestions. 1) Isn't the amount of tobacco content in the shisha thats charged duty, i.e the 15 g or so of tabacco per 250g of Al Fahker shisha.. They seems to be calculating it on the amount of shisha 2) If I sent back to hookahcompany, would they get in trouble? 3) Do I have to pay postage costs to send back to hookahcompay? From Aus to US 4) If HC get it, can I get them to resend it to me, and will I have to pay a restock fee or just the new postage charges? 5) Now that it's been found by customs, will they be on the "lookout" for any more packages, or is it COMPLETE luck, and the same package could just be approved next time? Appreciate any feedback from people who've had customs take their shit! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Real sorry to hear that man. I can't confidently answer any of your questions, but yes, the molasses are probably the majority of the weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codename067 Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Man, that really sucks.. As far as I'm aware, you have to pay the shipping charges to return the items. HC is not responsible. I believe they mention that somewhere on their site. There is always a little bit of luck. I know some people that order from over seas and they either get their items, or don't. Many don't bother too much because of the risk and the troubles for shipping the items back. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Wow... I can't... even...imagine. I honestly don't know what to tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSU Smoker Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 damn that really sucks man, im sorry to hear that. Yeah possibly see if the tobacco can be taxed on the actual tobacco weight not the molasses and all, however I feel like they will tax it all the same. You can always just have the package sent back to HC and see if they can't refund any money. Maybe try again but ask for discreet shipping or a label that doesn't specify the contents of the package but idunno what to tell ya man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dizzbizz Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 [quote name='PSU Smoker' date='18 March 2010 - 07:49 PM' timestamp='1268966957' post='458081'] damn that really sucks man, im sorry to hear that. Yeah possibly see if the tobacco can be taxed on the actual tobacco weight not the molasses and all, however I feel like they will tax it all the same. You can always just have the package sent back to HC and see if they can't refund any money. [b]Maybe try again but ask for discreet shipping or a label that doesn't specify the contents of the package but idunno what to tell ya man[/b] [/quote] If a package is suspicious can't they just pop it open? I'm sure they'll keep an eye out for his name and address for future shipments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSU Smoker Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 yeah thats true...maybe have the next one shipped to a friend so long as nothing bad comes of the current situation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coal Gnome Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 HAHAHAHAHAHA I STRIKE AGAIN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7mad Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 That sucks. I had my box (6kg) opened and checked yet it still got through. I think it depends on the customs officer or how busy they are. Could even be a city/state issue. Maybe shisha importers are more frequent in your city/state so customs is a lot more vigilant and a lot less lenient toward it. Anyways, to answer your questions. 1. Not anymore. We used to only get taxed on the tobacco content, but they changed the law and now we are taxed on the net weight. I don't know how long you've been smoking for, but about 2 years ago 250g was $15. Now you'd be lucky to find 50g for that price. 2. As far as I know nothing can be done to HC as long as they didn't break any laws. From what I understand, customs now considers YOU as the IMPORTER so it is YOUR responsibility. They might flag HC packages as suspicious or something, but I don't think they can actually charge them for anything. 3. If you want to send it back to HC, yes you do have to pay for the postage. You do have the option to have it destroyed (resold? ) by customs which I believe is free, but I'm not 100% sure. Customs should send you a letter with all of your options, or at least a number to call to find out your options. 4. Ask HC. Check their website or email them. 5. Well I wouldn't order any more shisha under your name/address any time soon If I were you. Use a friend's details (with their permission of course) if you do decide to make another order. I'd try and find out what HC's refund policy is and work out whether or not it's worth the effort to try again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSU Smoker Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 (edited) damn you coal gnome (only typing this cause I put a response to a different thread here and caught it in time lol) Edited March 19, 2010 by PSU Smoker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff_T Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Damn man, that's some terrible stuff. Sorry to hear that. Sorry I can't be of any other help... Maybe try to order from John next time would be my only advice. And Gnome, that's cold... ice cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allstar Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Question are you in the USA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 [quote name='arzan87' date='18 March 2010 - 08:23 PM' timestamp='1268961836' post='458056'] Hey Guys, So today customs found my tobacco, 1.5 kg sent from hookahcompany.com, declared as "Flavoured Molasses". The duty on 1.5kg [b]here in Aus[/b] is $491.66 plus GST which makes it $549.83 I'm thinking of returning it, but just seeking some quick suggestions. 1) Isn't the amount of tobacco content in the shisha thats charged duty, i.e the 15 g or so of tabacco per 250g of Al Fahker shisha.. They seems to be calculating it on the amount of shisha 2) If I sent back to hookahcompany, would they get in trouble? 3) Do I have to pay postage costs to send back to hookahcompay? From Aus to US 4) If HC get it, can I get them to resend it to me, and will I have to pay a restock fee or just the new postage charges? 5) Now that it's been found by customs, will they be on the "lookout" for any more packages, or is it COMPLETE luck, and the same package could just be approved next time? Appreciate any feedback from people who've had customs take their shit! Thanks [/quote] [quote name='Allstar' date='19 March 2010 - 02:43 PM' timestamp='1269027781' post='458265'] Question are you in the USA? [/quote] Australia. They probably have the worse tax on tobacco in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cheng Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Half a grand for 1.5kg of shisha? WTF????? I thought UK was bad, but damn aussies are worse. Wont rejecting the package mean it will be sent back to the sender? Anyways, good luck to you mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arzan87 Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 [quote name='Cheng' date='20 March 2010 - 04:22 AM' timestamp='1269030120' post='458274'] Half a grand for 1.5kg of shisha? WTF????? I thought UK was bad, but damn aussies are worse. Wont rejecting the package mean it will be sent back to the sender? Anyways, good luck to you mate. [/quote] Right .. so I've called HC and they said just tell customs to send it back.. it's free and usually takes 2 - 3 weeks (as on ship) They will then either restock it, for free minus delivery, or they can recharge delivery and attempt to ship it in 2 - 3 smaller packages. .. they said they've had luck with this, and apparently seems to happen all the time.. Also pmed hookahjohn, and he's given me some really good advice, so may consider ordering through him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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