Calling Vietnam Post and import tax

I've tried emailing. They never respond.

towards end of May this year (2021), chatted to someone using their chat feature on the mail tracking web page (recently they don't seem to respond to chat requests either). He told me to visit the international division at:

270 Bis Lý Thường Kiệt, P.14, Quận 10, TP.HCM

This address has a huge VNPost post office. International division is on the side street. Vietnamese name; bưu cục ngoại dịch sài gòn

I went there and staff entered tracking number on computer and said parcel will clear and I should receive package in 2-3 days. I received it the next day in Vung Tau. That was in May mind you, so your mileage these days may differ.

Bolero.fan wrote:

I am from the UK and trying to call Vietnam Post about a parcel I got for my friend from India (already delayed by a month). It is stuck in "customs" at VNSGNA now and I called 3 numbers (thanks to this website for 2 of the numbers) of VN Post and no one answers the phone. Would anyone please like to tell me a direct number I can call where I can speak to someone who can speak English and also bothers to answer the phone? Also, the value of the parcel should be around 42 GBP but my understanding is parcels under 1 million VND have no customs fees and under 2 million can be allowed 4 times a year. Does this mean since I already sent her 4 gifts (all under 1 million VND), she will need to pay the tax?

Values do play a big part in hold-ups and taxes, but they can also incur higher fees depending on the commodity. What's in the box? and where did you ship it from?

You have to remember also if it is something that is not available here customs will look for the nearest comparative item for correct pricing. The best thing to do in the future is to include the store's receipt, not good for gifting admittedly but saves on hassles.

It was purchased from Etsy via an Indian seller.
The item was a handbag (genuine leather/handmade)
Price was 50 pounds but shipping was 8 so 42 pounds approx, so basically around 1.5 million VND.

Bolero.fan wrote:

It was purchased from Etsy via an Indian seller.
The item was a handbag (genuine leather/handmade)
Price was 50 pounds but shipping was 8 so 42 pounds approx, so basically around 1.5 million VND.

Taxes anywhere are complex, usually when calculating the import duty and tax rates people forget several important bits of information.

Tax and duty is calculated on the cost of goods, shipping and if applicable insurance
Luxury goods are often taxed at a higher rate
Goods from non-economic trading nations can get clobbered with excise, VAT, Sales, duty, etc
Shippers should include a detailed packing list invoice showing the correct HS code and origin

see the below link for more info - on how the system works.

As fo VNpost not replying, the chance is they have huge backlogs to clear, don't forget lockdown has only just started to ease. Calling them is not going to get you anywhere, even then the chances of someone having the information you need or even being able to understand you is slim


https://customsdutyfree.com/customs-or- … o-vietnam/

Thank you for your comments. My friend is very busy and she's working on the COVID ward so she does not have time to deal with the VN Post/customs drama. I also have no idea if the Indian seller included a packing slip/added the HS code (I would assume they did not) and I cannot contact them now or whatever they need to add to speed up customs clearance. I would guess they included the customs form as it was sent through the Indian post office. 1.5 million VND is not luxury in the UK, that would be more like Gucci and Vietnam is a somewhat rich country so I doubt 1.5 million VND is much for most people. Despite my friend not willing to call them or get involved in any formal things, should I advise her to do so in the hope of maybe someone might help or they also of no help to Vietnamese people as well in this kind of situation? After how long should I be worried? 1 week? 2 weeks? I spent much time looking for a handbag for her and found the one I liked for a cheap price but now this drama with the post is not making what should be a gift very easy. Should have sent it Royal Mail myself and done the customs form myself or used a freight forwarder for not much more money. I am sad as I spent much time and effort finding her a bag I thought she would like. 50 pounds might not be much money but when I spent much time finding what I thought she would like, it is very annoying. It is no point sending any taxable goods overseas unless the person is ok paying the extra fees esp. when sending as a purchased gift through a 3rd party when I cannot check the customs form myself.

Bolero.fan wrote:

Thank you for your comments. My friend is very busy and she's working on the COVID ward so she does not have time to deal with the VN Post/customs drama. I also have no idea if the Indian seller included a packing slip/added the HS code (I would assume they did not) and I cannot contact them now or whatever they need to add to speed up customs clearance. I would guess they included the customs form as it was sent through the Indian post office. 1.5 million VND is not luxury in the UK, that would be more like Gucci and Vietnam is a somewhat rich country so I doubt 1.5 million VND is much for most people. Despite my friend not willing to call them or get involved in any formal things, should I advise her to do so in the hope of maybe someone might help or they also of no help to Vietnamese people as well in this kind of situation? After how long should I be worried? 1 week? 2 weeks? I spent much time looking for a handbag for her and found the one I liked for a cheap price but now this drama with the post is not making what should be a gift very easy. Should have sent it Royal Mail myself and done the customs form myself or used a freight forwarder for not much more money. I am sad as I spent much time and effort finding her a bag I thought she would like. 50 pounds might not be much money but when I spent much time finding what I thought she would like, it is very annoying. It is no point sending any taxable goods overseas unless the person is ok paying the extra fees esp. when sending as a purchased gift through a 3rd party when I cannot check the customs form myself.

Probably stuck in a back log
If you have tracking details I might be able do some digging..

CD523876695IN
Thanks.

Bolero.fan wrote:

CD523876695IN
Thanks.

From what I can see the delays are largely outside of Vietnam, the last two tracking events are due to customs clearance and were dated over the weekend.

Usually clearance is a Monday to Friday process and can take up to 5 working days depending on the accompanying documents. Of course in the even if any taxes they would need to call the receiver, hopefully the shipper included full contact details.

I'd give it until Friday before panicking, customs do things at their own pace..even in the UK.

If you need any help later let me know..

For now to keep thread today when replying click quote rathe than just reply.