ENDED - Vapor.gearbest Giveaway Part 2 - Win 1 of 6 X ELEAF ASTER 75W TC Box Mod - 8/23-8/30

[Ramsay Bolton]

Did any of the winners get an invoice? I got an invoice in the mail today from fed ex charging me a 20 dollar broker fee and .46 cents in additional fees for a total of 20.46?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

I noticed that Gearbest just added Fedex as an option during checkout.

Sounds like a Fedex goof if the value is low or maybe someone in Gearbest's shipping
department screwed up.

 

[SnapDragon NY]

@SirRichardRear I didn't get an invoice from Fed Ex- yet! I see that we probably received ours at the same time, but so far no invoice!

 

[SnapDragon NY]

@SirRichardRear - I Just got the mail today and I also have a Fed Ex bill for $20.23
This is a real invoice!
Customs Duty
US Food & Drug Admin Processing Fee $20.00
Total Duties,Tax,Customs, Other Fees - $ 0.23

Waybill commodity Description - Full Set Of Atomizer Deviceno Nicotine

Ouch!
My 1st win at a contest and I have to pay $20.23?
I left a PM for June @Vapor.gearbest

 

[SnapDragon NY]

Did any of the winners get an invoice? I got an invoice in the mail today from fed ex charging me a 20 dollar broker fee and .46 cents in additional fees for a total of 20.46?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Yes- got a Fed Ex bill today for $20.23
Customs Duty US Food & Drug Admin Processing Fee- $20.00
Total Duties,Tax, Customs, Other Fees $0.23

Ouch!

 

[SirRichardRear]

Yes- got a Fed Ex bill today for $20.23
Customs Duty US Food & Drug Admin Processing Fee- $20.00
Total Duties,Tax, Customs, Other Fees $0.23

Ouch!

well that's 2 out of 6 so far, I'm assuming everyone is gonna get one.

 

[Deucesjack]

well that's 2 out of 6 so far, I'm assuming everyone is gonna get one.

That's some Bullshit! Wtf!

Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk

 

[SnapDragon NY]

well that's 2 out of 6 so far, I'm assuming everyone is gonna get one.

I think it is ridiculous to get a bill now! If I knew there was a FDA $20.00 charge at the time- maybe I could have refused delivery! Now it looks like we are stuck with the FDA charge thru Fed Ex. Highway robbery!
I hope I don't get whacked by USPS for another package from China? Not sure if this is Fed Ex only? I can't afford to keep paying these free contest winnings!
I guess nothing in life is free-

 

[SnapDragon NY]

Fed Ex should have made me aware of this $20.00 FDA charge, when this FREE gift was delivered!
My package was opened too, calling this a FULL kit is a lie too! It is only the mod, NO battery, (it takes an 18650 not included) tank or liquid!

 

[SirRichardRear]

I think it is ridiculous to get a bill now! If I knew there was a FDA $20.00 charge at the time- maybe I could have refused delivery! Now it looks like we are stuck with the FDA charge thru Fed Ex. Highway robbery!
I hope I don't get whacked by USPS for another package from China? Not sure if this is Fed Ex only? I can't afford to keep paying these free contest winnings!
I guess nothing in life is free-

well lets just wait and see what @Vapor.gearbest has to say. I've won a couple of contests before and never go this.

 

[SnapDragon NY]

well lets just wait and see what @Vapor.gearbest has to say. I've won a couple of contests before and never go this.

Yes I PM'd June too!
I am waiting to hear from @Vapor.gearbest !

 

[Artemis]

http://www.fedex.com/us/ancillary/go/service.html
I hope people realize that fedex will charge this ancillary fda fee. It's a shame for those who won a contest and was not advised on this additional fda fee collected by fedex.

 

[Ramsay Bolton]

Appears that the 8th regulations are now being enforced by shippers. Cash grab!.

Distributors/Importers who receive shipments through DHL, FEDEX, UPS etc will
probably get majorly dinged as well and pass the costs on.

Food and Drug Administration Clearance Information is required to be filed and approval obtained to import certain commercial goods, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, computer monitors, laser CD players, cosmetics, eyeglasses, and food and food products or other controlled products.

 

[SnapDragon NY]

You should not be getting anything like that from a give away here in the forum. Does it state it's from GearBest? Did you ask GearBest about it?
@Vapor.gearbest

I got one too- the Bill is from Fed Ex- Mine says it is a FDA Admin Processing Fee- $20.00
Total Duties, Tax,Customs, other fees - $0.23
I am surprised I wasn't made aware of this when I had to sign for the Package, and 2 weeks later get a bill from Fed Ex- if I knew I would have refused the shipment. I do not think this is Gear Best fault, I was just unlucky enough to have my Package searched and the FDA put their hand out for $20.00 thru Fed Ex!

 

[SirRichardRear]

I got one too- the Bill is from Fed Ex- Mine says it is a FDA Admin Processing Fee- $20.00
Total Duties, Tax,Customs, other fees - $0.23
I am surprised I wasn't made aware of this when I had to sign for the Package, and 2 weeks later get a bill from Fed Ex- if I knew I would have refused the shipment. I do not think this is Best Buys fault, I was just unlucky enough to have my Package searched and the FDA put their hand out for $20.00 thru Fed Ex!

I'll wait until I hear anything from @Vapor.gearbest before I call fed ex
Mine said
Brokerage Ancillary Service Fees 20.00
Duties, Tax, Customs, Other Fees .46
Total Charges 20.46

I mean If it was 100 dollar mod like the other contest, I wouldn't mind it at all, but when I won a 25 dollar mod, I wouldn't have ordered otherwise then have to pay fed ex 20+ bucks for it, I would have refused it. I had to go there and pick it up since nobody was home when delivered and show my ID. They didn't mention any fees nor did the contest. I would have honestly refused it, which probably happens a lot and why they aren't asking for the fees upfront. Makes no sense to release a product then bill for it later from someone who doesn't have an account with you. It would be like getting a cheeseburger form mcdonalds then 2 weeks later they bill you for it lol

 

[Ramsay Bolton]

At least DHL warns you in advance of any extra charges.

Sounds like Fedex is trying to avoid delivery refusals by not requiring
payment of this $20 fee pre-delivery or during delivery.

I think Gearbest and a bunch of overseas vendors are now being caught
off-guard.

 

[Deucesjack]

Fuck them! I wouldn't pay it. Tell them to come and pick it up, repackage it, and ship it back.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

 

[SirRichardRear]

Fuck them! I wouldn't pay it. Tell them to come and pick it up, repackage it, and ship it back.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

Probably what I'll do lol

 

[SnapDragon NY]

Mine says that too Sir Richard on page 1 of 7 , but go to page 3 of 7 and there it says Customs Duty- $0.23
US Food & Drug Admin Processing Fee- $20.00
My total is $20.23
Not sure that Gear Best had any control over this?

 

[SirRichardRear]

At least DHL warns you in advance of any extra charges.

Sounds like Fedex is trying to avoid delivery refusals by not requiring
payment of this $20 fee pre-delivery or during delivery.

I think Gearbest and a bunch of overseas vendors are now being caught
off-guard.

yup, Refusals cost them money to ship back. I wonder how many people they expect to pay this. Doesn't seem to make sense to me personally. How can you charge a 20 dollar fee on a 25 dollar device lol. If anything it should be a percentage charge of the value. I mean If i order a 2 dollar drip tip from china (piece of plastic basically lol) am i gonna get a 20 dollar fee on it?

 

[SirRichardRear]

Mine says that too Sir Richard on page 1 of 7 , but go to page 3 of 7 and there it says Customs Duty- $0.23
US Food & Drug Admin Processing Fee- $20.00
My total is $20.23
Not sure that Gear Best had any control over this?

I didn't see that but just checked and yes it does

 

[Deucesjack]

yup, Refusals cost them money to ship back. I wonder how many people they expect to pay this. Doesn't seem to make sense to me personally. How can you charge a 20 dollar fee on a 25 dollar device lol. If anything it should be a percentage charge of the value. I mean If i order a 2 dollar drip tip from china (piece of plastic basically lol) am i gonna get a 20 dollar fee on it?

Send them an arbitrary bill for $21. Tell them the way I see it you guys owe me 77 cents. You know what FedEx just forget about it, you can keep the 77 cents. Lmfao.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

 

[Ms. Trixy]

Wow! I received mine over 2 weeks ago. No notice. I wonder when that bullshit was implemented?
June was very kind with all of us. Perhaps she's trying to undo the damage. I wouldn't pay a cent until you hear from her. IMHO

 

[SnapDragon NY]

http://www.fedex.com/us/ancillary/go/service.html
I hope people realize that fedex will charge this ancillary fda fee. It's a shame for those who won a contest and was not advised on this additional fda fee collected by fedex.

I do not know when they started to bill for this? Maybe the enforcement just started this month? I don't know, I only purchase vape gear in the States and it is shipped by USPS, so I have not encountered this and did not know that I would encounter FDA fees for a Free contest win.
I will wait for June @Vapor.gearbest to look into this.

 

[SirRichardRear]

Send them an arbitrary bill for $21. Tell them the way I see it you guys owe me 77 cents. You know what FedEx just forget about it, you can keep the 77 cents. Lmfao.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

nah I'll charge them daily interest on the .77 cents

Wow! I received mine over 2 weeks ago. No notice. I wonder when that bullshit was implemented?
June was very kind with all of us. Perhaps she's trying to undo the damage. I wouldn't pay a cent until you hear from her. IMHO

I got mine like 2 weeks ago as well. took them like 10 days to invoice it and another 4 to get it to me in the mail lol It would be interesting to see how many of us get them and how many get them from the recent giveaway

I do not know when they started to bill for this? Maybe the enforcement just started this month? I don't know, I only purchase vape gear in the States and it is shipped by USPS, so I have not encountered this and did not know that I would encounter FDA fees for a Free contest win.
I will wait for June @Vapor.gearbest to look into this.

Last time i ordered from china was pre august 8th. If this is going to be the case going forward, i either won't order out of the US anymore, or just factor in an additional 20 bucks on the price meaning I'll only order expensive mods that have a really good deal on them.

 

[Ramsay Bolton]

Takes longer, but better off shipping prizes via registered mail and declaring the goods
as battery powered butt massager and attachments. Paying extra to have winners
receive their prizes quicker seems to have backfired thanks to the FDA and the weasels
behind the new regulations.

 

[SirRichardRear]

Takes longer, but better off shipping prizes via registered mail and declaring the goods
as battery powered butt massager and attachments. Paying extra to have winners
receive their prizes quicker seems to have backfired thanks to the FDA and the weasels
behind the new regulations.

Lol at battery powered butt massagers

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[SnapDragon NY]

I have a Aspire Evo Tank coming from Vape Sourcing another contest partial win, but that shipment looks like it will be delivered by USPS from the China Boat. I hope that I am not Pinged for another $20.00 for a $14.00 tank!

 

[SnapDragon NY]

Will this affect US vendors? Those that use Fed Ex, DHL UPS and USPS ? Extra $20.00 FDA charge- not nice! I am done with China and would never had to deal with this except for the 2 contests that I won. I have only purchased from Pre August 8th- US vendors.

 

[SirRichardRear]

Will this affect US vendors? Those that use Fed Ex, DHL UPS and USPS ? Extra $20.00 FDA charge- not nice! I am done with China and would never had to deal with this except for the 2 contests that I won. I have only purchased from Pre August 8th- US vendors.

Let's wait until we know more

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[Ms. Trixy]

I just got an invoice today, too. I had a shipping account with them that I never used so they canceled it.

Per GearBest's Terms and Conditions, Page 1, paragraph 4 under Ordering, it states:
"Both parties agree that, following order dispatch, transportation is the sole responsibility of the third-party logistics company. During this stage, full ownership of the product(s) belongs to the buyer; all associated liability and risks during transportation shall be borne by the buyer."

Per your FedEx Q&A section regarding "Gift" items:
"To qualify as a gift, your shipment must meet the following requirements:
1. The shipping documentation must clearly be marked "Gift" and include a detailed description of the commodity.
2. The total value of the shipment must not exceed the gift value limit for the destination country, which may be obtained in advance of shipping from FedEx.com or by contacting blah, blah, blah.
In some countries it must be sent person to person - with no company involvement or indication of involvement on the shipping documentation."

I have a HUGE, YUGE amount coming in from China within the next 3 weeks.

From now on, unless disclosed whether it is or isn't taxable in ANY Contest, I won't enter. I hope @VaporJoe , @TygerTyger and their Deal gurus are aware of this and issue a statement about what their thoughts are. We are a close knit, protective community and are dedicated to making it stronger, more informative, fun and safe. Thanks to VJ we love our home here. But, when shit hits the fan, we need the big gun's help.

Edited: To be a kinder, more gentle post.

 

[SirRichardRear]

Sorry. But when I am REALLY pissed off, at anyone or anything, my husband won't come within 20 feet of me.

I understand being pissed but give them a chance to respond. It's very likely they had no idea about this

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[Ramsay Bolton]

I just got an invoice today, too.
my husband won't come within 20 feet of me.

Calm down!

Spoke with someone on another forum who received the unexpected $20 bill from fedex. The rep
from Gearbest didn't know about it and you'll be taken care of.

If anyone deserves your wrath, it's the FDA and their courier minions sodomizing people ordering vape gear with that $20 fee.

 

[Ms. Trixy]

My apologies to this thread. I have edited my post. If the two of you would be kind enough to delete my quote, I'd appreciate it. We shall see.

 

[SMOKIE]

Lets wait for GearBest to respond here before jumping down there throat. @Vapor.gearbest

 

[SirRichardRear]

Lets wait for GearBest to respond here before jumping down there throat. @Vapor.gearbest

yup, thats what I'm doing. hopefully we hear soon

 

[VaporJoe]

Sounds like a Fedex issue to me. Who the hell ships vape gear fedex anyway? ... I got some gearbest some delivered normal Epacket a few days ago.. no fees or anything.

 

[SnapDragon NY]

Sounds like a Fedex issue to me. Who the hell ships vape gear fedex anyway? ... I got some gearbest some delivered normal Epacket a few days ago.. no fees or anything.

This is a Fed Ex Bill that was mailed to my house 2 weeks after they delivered my package.

 

[Countrypami]

As ya'll can see... The admins have been pulled into this thread and are aware of the issue. All we can do now is wait for @Vapor.gearbest to respond. I'm sorry for all of those involved. These fees were not disclosed in the OP.

 

[Ms. Trixy]

Sounds like a Fedex issue to me. Who the hell ships vape gear fedex anyway? ... I got some gearbest some delivered normal Epacket a few days ago.. no fees or anything.

Yeah, Joe. Wait for it. Took over 2wks for them to bite me. Even an ePacket isn't safe anymore. Smokie mentioned them using EMS. Well....

 

[SMOKIE]

GearBest has wrote me this: Hello admin,

I am sorry about this,we didn't meet such things before and don't know anythig about this.
really sorry about this.if winner should pay for the fedex fee here, we will pay them the money.

Best regards,
June

So if you won, and paid a Fee, take a pic of the invoice charge, and PM June with it @Vapor.gearbest

 

[Vapor.gearbest]

So if you won, and paid a Fee, take a pic of the invoice charge, and PM June with it @Vapor.gearbest

I am here.yes,if have any problem about this,please PM me and let me know.
Thank you very much for @SMOKIE's kind remind.
I am really really sorry about this.

Best regards,
June

 

[SirRichardRear]

@Vapor.gearbest So should we pay it and then send a copy back back to you via PM?

 

[SMOKIE]

@Vapor.gearbest So should we pay it and then send a copy back back to you via PM?

Did you have the win in your possession?

 

[SnapDragon NY]

Did you have the win in your possession?

Yes I do- The win was delivered over 10 days before this Fed Ex Bill came.

 

[SnapDragon NY]

I just PM'd June @Vapor.gearbest with my photo copies of my Postal Money order and copies of the Fed Ex Bill and sent the payment to Fed Ex today!

 

[SirRichardRear]

Did you have the win in your possession?

The atomizer i won? Yes

 

[SMOKIE]

The atomizer i won? Yes

So just send a pic of the bill to GearBest including your Pay Pal email or another way to get refunded.

 

[SirRichardRear]

So just send a pic of the bill to GearBest including your Pay Pal email or another way to get refunded.

Sounds good. Thanks

 

["11"]

Customs Duty
US Food & Drug Admin Processing Fee $20.00
Total Duties,Tax,Customs, Other Fees - $ 0.23

I could be wrong, but this sounds like FedEx decided to charge the customer for 'extra paperwork' it had to do, thanks to the FDA regs. An "admin processing fee" sounds like BS talk for "we had to handle a few papers extra, and are charging you for our time." The language doesn't sound like the FDA charged them and then they passed the charge along. Sounds like they're just porking the customer.

Since everyone is getting compensated by GB no one is motivated to find out, but it would be nice if someone called FedEx to ask what exactly this fee is.... b/c it sounds like FedEx is the one deciding to make money off the customer, using the FDA paperwork as an excuse. I would guess they only had to check a few boxes and that whatever the 'extra work' was, it doesn't amount to anything that would require an extra fee, muchless a $20 "admin processing fee." JMO from how it all sounds without the benefit of more info...

 

[SirRichardRear]

I could be wrong, but this sounds like FedEx decided to charge the customer for 'extra paperwork' it had to do, thanks to the FDA regs. An "admin processing fee" sounds like BS talk for "we had to handle a few papers extra, and are charging you for our time." The language doesn't sound like the FDA charged them and then they passed the charge along. Sounds like they're just porking the customer.

Since everyone is getting compensated by GB no one is motivated to find out, but it would be nice if someone called FedEx to ask what exactly this fee is.... b/c it sounds like FedEx is the one deciding to make money off the customer, using the FDA paperwork as an excuse. I would guess they only had to check a few boxes and that whatever the 'extra work' was, it doesn't amount to anything that would require an extra fee, muchless a $20 "admin processing fee." JMO from how it all sounds without the benefit of more info...

So I'll post this in all 3 threads where it is applicable, but i went ahead and called fed ex. Unfortunately the person I spoke with clearly had no idea what she was talking about and kept changing her story when I tried getting a clarification. 1st she said it was for them doing paperwork, then she said no it's because we paid those fees to the government to get your package released, then she said thats not it either. Long story short, I have to wait for a manager there to call me back to get an explanation. I'll give them a day and if I don't hear back from a manager I'll call them back again so I can get a clarification of the fees.

the 2nd part to this, is (and mind you I know gearbest hasn't used fed ex before) but I guess when you create the shipping label, there is a section for duties and tax where you can bill to the sender, recipient, or 3rd party and it was chosen to be billed to the recipient (which is us) rather then the sender (gearbest) could have just been a clerical issue as I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt. If you look at the shipping label, on the bottom right there is a section that has MFG, value, and some other stuff. one part on the bottom right says "D/T" and next to it on mine has the letter "R" for recipient. that is what shows fed ex where they bill the duties and taxes so at least I learned that from the call.

So what I take from this is, that if filled out correctly, us as consumers shouldn't see these invoices, but it could effect the pricing from Chinese Vendors if they have to pay these 20 dollar fees on every order, or they can try a different carrier?