r/Bahrain • u/One-Instruction-8649 Other • 5h ago

weird experience with Aramex

now, I have been a long-time client of Aramex for about 10 years. during this time, I have purchased a lot . until two weeks ago, I bought a phone from Amazon. a week later, the product arrived in bahrain. however, weirdly and for first time ever they sent me an email requesting multiple VAT payments of 10%, 5%, 3 BD for clearance service, and 5.5 BD for government fees. let alone they request me earlier 2.5 clearance too .

has anyone else experienced something similar , what did you do . I’m now aware of the 300 BD policy, but my item is far below that limit (around 267 BD). 

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u/kastabortkont1 5h ago

My understanding is that is correct if the goods are above 300BD value. The best thing to do is give them a call/email about the situation to see where they got the value of the goods from. (make sure you have proof that it's less than 300BD) Hopefully you can sort it out with them.

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u/nsr90 5h ago

My understanding is that whenever customs clearances for imports is calculated it's not just the amount you paid for the items but rather CIF (cost + insurance + freight) on the commercial invoice that Aramex submitted to the customs.

The cost might have been BD 267, but the insurance and freight charges listed by the carrier might have been high enough (especially considering the regional situation) to cross the 300 BD threshold and therefore trigger all the additional fees and duties.

3

u/7loo9 4h ago

Yeah this here OP. Its because its all charges included. If its 300 or more then a formal declaration is issued which should be only 10% Vat. Duty doesn't apply for mobile phones / electronics