CFIA clearance stamp on paper. No bugs.
2.5 hours all in, this time, from departure to return. A few more hours of waiting and work, making sure I got docs to support my position on taxation.
Picked up the paperwork at airport warehouse. No issues
Drove over to Customs office. Waited while the staff ignored me and finished their chat. Amazing!
Called up and I present the paperwork.
Shipment was labeled
"hunting trophies". Evidently, a hot button at the local customs office. Now I know what Diamondhitch was talking about in his nightmare post about his trophies.
Going to charge GST on the
Trophy Fees. Apparently that is part of their value at this office and not a cost of hunting in another country.
I tell them;
"there are no trophy fees",
reply
"What were they, dead at the side of the road?!"
"I don't need your sarcasm"
"If there is no value then you will be charged what values I look up! Those are seriously undervalue."
I went in armed and ready for this one.
Internet search of values of flat skins, raw and also horns and skulls.
I stopped talking at this point and handed over other documents supporting the valuation I feel was correct.
I hand over the documents supporting that these are gifts as well.
I am livid at having an insinuation that I am dishonest and going to be unfairly taxed, but know to shut my mouth at this point because nothing good is going to come out.
I am now told to sit and wait.
The crate has already been vet inspected and cleared, so I should just have to pay the taxes and away I go.
Now I am informed there has to be a review by the Environment department. To be faxed off to another office of course.
You never know when a Blesbok and Springbok might have had an emergency placement on a CITES I list.
Oh yeah, this delay tactic was all about the time of day. 4PM, is when all the offices close, including the warehouse for pick up of the crate.
After waiting some more, a fax reply came in. Shockingly, Environment does not want to see a Blesbok or Springbok and are willing to risk that it is a Bontebok.
I am called up to pay and I ask for an explanation of the tax assessment.
The short reply:
"It is based on the valuations you provided". Nothing else offered at all.
I left the office as fast as I could with clearances in hand saying "Thank you, have a good day."
Score one for the good guys, I guess.
I'll open the crate and I hope I have nothing but good news to report.
Thank you for the Heads up Diamondhitch.
Rick send an email to Leonie. She was excellent and was right on the money.
Feel free to tell her that Wayne said so too.
Leonie Heydenrych <leonie@safaricargo.co.za>
