SMC Business Councils

To Whom It May Concern,   In January 2017, the container for this particular customer arrived in to the Houston port.   It was placed on customs hold for a VACIS exam (which is an x-ray).  This is becoming more common on import...

containers. The percentage of containers being randomly selected for exams is increasing daily. US Customs is selecting them for either a VACIS exam or an intensive exam.   We informed the customer immediately about customs hold when we received word. She was informed on a daily basis on the progress of her inspection until the container was finally released by US customs and railed to Denver rail.   On January 20th, customer received an invoice for the exam fees which included the container transport to/from the exam site, the inspection and administrative fees which came to a total of $1,170.00. The customer immediately contacted our office to express dissatisfaction and the following email was sent in response:   Hi [redacted],   Michelle has forwarded me your email because she is in a meeting.     Unfortunately, we have absolutely no control over which containers/shipments US Customs randomly selects for inspections.  The fees associated with the customs inspection on your container came to $1170.  These charges are for the following:   US CUSTOMS ORDERED RANDOM EXAMINATION FEES --  CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIVE FEES, TRANSPORT CONTAINER TO EXAM SITE, VACIS EXAM, TRANSPORT BACK TO THE PORT   Thankfully, US Customs didn't order an intensive exam because those fees can easily exceed $3000.  There is no possible way that we could have known your container would be randomly selected upon arrival.   On our agreement, we include the 'normal customs clearance' not random examinations that are ordered by customs.  RSS LLC does not receive one cent from these charges.  These charges were billed to us and in order for us to pull the container out of the port we need to pay them.  If we don't pay them by the end of today, the container will go into storage and demurrage beginning  1/23 and those charges can run about $150 per day.    Unfortunately, our hands are tied.  We are not speculating anything and are only asking that you pay the charges that we have been invoiced for due to US Customs random examination of your goods.   Please remit the payment ASAP because we have to get the release in order before the end of the day so that the container moves to Denver as scheduled.   After going back and forth several times, customer paid the balance and container was moved to its final destination without any additional delays.   Several days after delivery, the customer contacted for our office for copies of the customs documents as a proof that container was examined. Customer was provided with the documents for customs as well as the email notification received pertaining to her shipment.    Yes, it is an unfortunate situation but it is out of our control.  Per our agreement with the customer, any customs related charges are excluded on her contract. Had we been able to predict that this was going to happen, we would have invoiced her for it before her shipment even left to come to the US.     With Kind Regards, [redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted] [redacted]
[redacted] [redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[On the document that I received from Masterplace International Limited wasn't any indications for charges , no charge was documented and called them and they said that they never charged this amount 1170.00. I have the entry number and they looked by entry and said this amount was never charged. Company that supposedly make the random check is Masterplace International Limited 147-31 176 th Street 2nd floor Jamaica, NY 11434 US  tel 7185530748 and my entry ID is D52-5901244-6 port Huston 5301.Masterplace International responded to me that they never charged and if I was charged RSS,LLC  charged me without any reason. Random check never been performed and I have no documents of the random check . RSS did not provide any documents of the random check and they said it was done internally . This is a international entry and if  any check was performed I should have any documents , but no check was done. Please ask RSS,LLC for documents that shows random check was done and amount charged from authorities.
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.Hello, Thank you Revdex.com to help consumers with issues. this is great.I provided to RSS ( I contracted with them) pictures I took the very day from the truck. I signed a release sheet stating the items were damaged and took pictures. the vlue of $100 is a typo, I communicated to RSS in a first place the total value of items in a document with pictures and the catalogue price for these items. value can fairly be estimated under $1000, not $100. any expert can assess that.I understand the terms of the insurance I contracted : it only covers total loss of shipment based on declared value. here, it is not about MY insurance, but RSS insurance : when their crew break items, damage walls, etc.. it is their responsibility. it would be too easy if they could break almost everything, damage properties, etc.. and just walk away. Their responsibility in breaking those items is clearly reported and established. As a business they have a legal obligation to be insured.It is a shame that for such a small value they are not willing to settle on the compensation and not assume their responsibility.I am hopping that with the Help of the Revdex.com, they will settle on something that is A) their responsibility B) a relatively small amount.happy to provide with any documentation Revdex.com may require Thank you very much.
Regards,
[redacted]