My boxes were due this week. It was supposed to take 5-7 working days and
on day 6 I still hadn’t heard anything, and my instructions were if the agent hadn't
phoned me by the 26th of February I could then call the number provided, which apparently
was a Singapore Airlines office number in Nairobi, quote my airway bill number and
they could trace where my things were.
Well that would all be great if they bloody answered the phone!!! Is there anything worse than calling a number
that just continuously just rings out, all day?
I Googled Singapore Airlines Nairobi and found another number, that also
rang out, all day!! I looked at the Singapore
Airlines web site to see what time their flights came into Nairobi and as far
as I could see, according to their site they don’t even fly into Nairobi. So I was starting to get a little worried
about what was happening and sent Shelly a message to see if she could chase it
up from her end. For me the urgency was
more getting my boxes before the election next week in case there was trouble
and I wouldn’t be able to get to the airport for a week or two. Shelly came back and said that the boxes had
only been sent yesterday as there had been a death in the family of the courier
company and things got held up for a week.
How tragic and how can you get mad with that explanation but my boxes
left Brisbane the day before and were due in Nairobi at midnight tonight! Shelly was given a web site for Singapore
Cargo where I could put in my airway bill number and track myself where my
boxes were at. So at least I knew they
were on their way, they had arrived and left Singapore no problems and it all
looked good for their arrival tonight. I
would worry about the endless ringing number tomorrow. But what a relief.
Well I didn’t have to worry about the unanswered phones
as I was called at 8.15am on Thursday morning letting me know that my goods had
arrived!! EXCELLENT. I actually had a lunch date with Joshua and
then an afternoon coffee date with Laura today so I asked if I could come
tomorrow (Friday) to collect my things and I was advised that I should come
today and if I could to come this morning would be best. It sounded ominous and decided I should
strike while the iron was hot so after getting the name of the company I hung
up and immediately rang Driver Steven and asked if he was free this morning to
drive me to the airport to collect my things.
I had told him last week about needing him sometime this week, so he
knew what was happening and after making a plan to pick me up at 9am I hastily
had a shower, breakfast and was up at the front gate at 9am. Because of the traffic at that time of the
morning we decided to use the bypass road that would take us pretty much
directly to the airport from my suburb, scooting any form of traffic at
all. It is actually 11km longer, but seriously
it would save us literally hours sitting in traffic and I don’t know why more
cars don’t use the bypass. There was
traffic on the bypass but not much compared to what I have seen on the city
streets. It just doesn’t make sense to
sit in traffic when you have a free flowing bypass available. Anyway, this is why I have Steven, he knows
the area, he is from around here originally and still lives around here-so he
is my man in the know. It was actually
really good to get off the major roads, out of Mzungu territory and where the
bypass takes you is past small villages, local workers, farmers and you get to
see a little bit of the ‘real’ Kenya and Kenyans going about their daily lives.
The drive to the airport and the cargo section of it took
us 45 minutes and that was with a clear road the whole way, can you imagine
what it would have taken with the main arterials! It was also good to get an indication on how
long it takes from my house to the airport for my trip to Ethiopia in 3
weeks. I used this time to message both
Laura and Joshua and let them know my movements in the hope that I would still
be able to make both appointments. I
then was to text them back later to cancel when it became apparent that I wasn’t
going to make it and rescheduled for next week.
Once we arrived to the airport boundary there was a security check point
we had to pass through to get onto the cargo estate, take a parking pass that would
have to be paid on our way out. After
passing through that we had no idea on where we had to go. There were lots of signs but we couldn’t see
one for Singapore Airlines or for the freight company Siginon. We stopped at a help point to ask for
directions and before we knew it there was an authorized agent sitting in the
back of the car directing us where we had to go. Initially I asked Steven if we had to pay
this guy and he said let’s just see how much he does and what he does and then we
could go from there. I don’t think you have
to have an agent, it isn’t compulsory but after seeing what we had to do, what
he did for me and the processes that had to happen, I would totally recommend
that you do get one as they are worth their weight in gold.
Tom, my agent, directed us to the Siginon warehouse where
the process was to start and also finish with me finally leaving with my boxes
5 hours later! So we arrived at 10am
where Steven and I had to pass through a security check with the car, passport
check and Tom had to walk through the gate, he wasn’t allowed to pass in the
car with us. We left Steven with the car
in the carpark and walked to counters that were set up in the warehouse, which
was a very large shed. Inside was a
massive cage that took up ¾ of the warehouse, where the cargo was stored, and
then the rest of the area was taken up with a long counter and some offices to
the right as you walked in. Tom took me
to the counter and showed my passport that was photocopied; I signed some paperwork
that was then given back to me for us to take to the next step. Customs.
Customs was in a different part of the estate a 5 minute
drive away located in a large building that was surrounded by a security fence
and again leaving Steven in the car, Tom and I headed for the building walking through
a security checkpoint where my bag was checked and I was frisked by a female
agent. Once we were in the building, we
climbed 3 flights of stairs to find ourselves in a long corridor that had small
offices located the whole length of the building. Each office looked like it housed smaller
companies and was a hive of activity as you walked past doors that were open as
people carried out their work day. I
even heard a typewriter clacking away in a few of them-when was the last time
anyone heard that noise? I am glad that
Tom knew where he was going as all the offices had the same coloured doors and
only a small panel letting you know what
company was within-I had no idea what I would look for if I was here on my own.
We stopped at a door, knocked and then
walked into a small office that was just big enough for 3 desks and 4 waiting
chairs. There was one other ‘client’ in
there and I was directed to take a seat next to a customs agent. He explained to me what was to be done and to
just wait while the paperwork was completed by another person in the office on
a computer, while Tom ran downstairs to get my passport photocopied along with my
entry stamp into Kenya in January (which cost me a 100KSH-1.17AUD) a C.17.B
Customs form was printed with a lot of goobly gook in over 50 boxes and then I
had to pay 8750KSH (102AUD) to the Commissioner of Customs, which Tom had to
run back downstairs and deposit directly into the bank that was located on site
and then I was given more paperwork that had to then be taken back to
Siginon. This was a quick process and
only took 40 minutes.
So we headed back to the car and back down the road back
to the Siginon warehouse, passing security again and parking the car, leaving
Steven, we entered back into the warehouse where I was told to take a seat
while we waited for the paperwork to be checked, passport shown-which Tom was
holding onto for now and then we waited some more as an actual Customs Agent
was allocated to me. The next step of
the process was to actually check my goods over with the agent, and not so much
for my sake, but his job was to check that what was in the bags was permitted
and whether I had to pay any duty on the goods I was bringing in. Once I had my agent-I was given a high
visibility vest to wear and then we had to pass a security check to enter the ‘cage’
and I was frisked by a female agent and then I could see my stuff sitting on a
pallet that had just been wheeled out. I
was organised and I had my list at the ready as to what was in each bag and box
as they were numbered and then the first question that was asked was is there
anything new in the boxes. I have been
asked this question each time I have passed through Nairobi International and
it has always just been about the clothes.
So I answered no-and then once the first box was opened there were new
environ bags and towels sitting on top, with their tags quite clearly visible
and he looked at me and said that I answered no. I had to back pedal and told him I
misunderstood what he asked, and now I looked like a liar liar. NOT a great start. He was a tough cookie. Asking me what I did for a job. What visa was I here on? Why did I come here? Why did I have so much stuff for 3
months? I felt like I was under
suspicion of some sort and felt guilty which I had nothing to feel guilty about. I would be hopeless on those border security
TV shows I realized as I got a grilling from tough cookie guy. He also did ask if I had drugs in my bag, but
I don’t think it was serious question…. As
each box was opened and checked more ‘new’ things reared their ugly little tags
and 2 of the boxes had souvenirs which are considered ‘handicrafts’ that I tax
especially had to be paid on these. He
went through all my stuff quite thoroughly and after each box had been opened
there were a few guys that were retaping them up again for travel which was
nice. I had 8 boxes and after the 7th
box was opened it was enough for the customs agent and he said that ½ of the
stuff was new and that I would have to pay a tax that had to be ‘determined’
(if you get my drift). At this point
there was another agent (co-worker with Tom) that had shown up, so as we were
frisked again on our way out of the cage, I was told to take a seat as a ‘deal’
was now to be done. It took around 25
minutes and Tom collected me, Jerome (the co-worker) and we headed back to the
car and I was told what my payment fate was to be. So with the percentage of things I had the ‘normal’
tax to be paid was 33,000KSH, everything would have to be documented and I wouldn’t
be able to take my things till tomorrow if I was to pick this process. The other option was to pay a ‘discounted’
tax of 21,000KSH, the catch being I wouldn’t get a receipt for the
payment. Yes I know it all sounds dodgy
and if I took the proper channel not only would it cost 12,000KSH more (141AUD)
but also the extra 82AUD for Steven to bring me back tomorrow and as much as I
hate encouraging ‘naughtiness’ for want of a better word, I agreed to the
second option and it did make me feel better that there was no shady under the
table passing of money as we had to get back in the car (again) and make our
way to yet another building that was the Kenya Revenue office.
I didn’t have to join Tom on the running around of this section
and it makes one think ‘why not’. Was
all the 21,000KSH going to the right place?
Were there a few payments that were going to come out of that? At the end of the day, there is nothing that
I can do or say to change a culture, a procedure, a process and I just have to
roll with what is the ‘done’ thing. By
this time it was nearly 12.15pm and with Tom checking in with us after he came
back from the Kenyan Revenue office at 12.45pm, he then had to go back to the
first office where we paid the initial Customs payment and get come paperwork
to show that we had paid the tax. Steve
and I waited in the car till 1.30pm and it was then it dawned on both of us
that we didn’t have Tom’s number-so we couldn’t phone him to ask what was
taking so long. So it was decided that I
would head back into the building and I was 93% sure that I would be able to
find the original office out of all the same looking brown doors and track Tom
down. I did voice to Steven what about f
he has run off with all the cash and he said he didn’t think that Tom was that
type of guy, he has been helpful and honest and keeping us abreast of each step
that we had to do and by this time I knew that I would have to pay Tom, he had
been invaluable in the whole process and I told Steven that I just hoped he wasn’t
going to ask for 10,000KSH (117AUD) and that he was going to ask for a fair
price, I was certainly happy to pay something, but I wanted it to be fair with
the work he had done and fair to me at the same time. You get to learn pretty quick here in Kenya that
you need to ask the price of things BEFORE you buy so there isn’t an awkward situation
after the goods/services has been provided.
In saying that, in my defence, Steven and I both didn’t really know what
was involved in collecting cargo, so it would have been hard to negotiate a price
when we had no idea on all the work that needed to be done. We are calling it the ‘learning curve’ and
next time we come we know how it all works and the costs and time involved.
So I got out of the car and I had to walk across a large
park that was packed with courier guys, agents, packers, security, and staff on
lunch and 95% of them were all male. I
felt a little uncomfortable as I could feel them all staring at me, but I felt
safe and confident, just uncomfortable, there wasn’t another white person in
the immediate area at all and I wonder if we (white people) are a rare sighting
in this ‘cargo world’. As I was just
about across the park I ran into Jerome (Tom’s co-worker) who was on his way
back to us to give us an update on what was happening, so it saved me the hassle
of having to find that small office on the 3rd floor looking for the
Commissioner of Customs. Phew!!!!! The reason why it was taking so long, like
any Government office in the world….it was lunch time. 1pm through to 2pm was lunch break and
nothing gets done between these times.
It was now 1.45pm, so we didn’t have much longer to wait, so while I was
out I went to the drinks van that was parked and bought 4 cokes for us all and
Jerome made his way back to the customs office and I made my way back to Steven
in the car. Luckily Steven and I get
along well and we just chatted the 1.5 hours that we waited for Tom. We talked about Mzungu’s (me), Kenyans,
Zeme-and it was nice to get an African’s perspective that he has totally done
the wrong thing and also about how things work in Africa and in Kenya. We have termed a new saying, instead of TIA (This
is Africa) which is coined right through the East African countries when things
don’t go to plan or are slow or take time, to TIK (This is Kenya). We loved out new saying and it was used more
than once during the afternoon. This is
how Kenya works and I just have to get used to it.
Just after 2pm both Tom and Jerome appeared with all the
paper work and I was shown the final piece of paper that said my goods had ‘PASSED’
customs and that was the final ticket and key we needed to get my stuff out of
the warehouse!!! Yay!!! We were now on the final stretch. So much for thinking that Steven and I could
just rock up, pay a fee, load the boxes and be home by lunch time. Yeah right, weren’t we mistaken! We were chalking it all up to our ‘learning
curve and TIK.
So we all piled back in the car and headed BACK to
Siginon for the third and final time to complete what was a longer than
expected process. Initially I was going
to just get 3 boxes sent to check how it all worked, but I am so glad I ended
up getting 8 sent, can you imagine going through all that for just 3 boxes? Hell
no. Passing back through the security
gate, passport check and parking again-I was able to wait in the car one last
time for the final clearance. When Tom
left, he said there will be a fee that will need to be paid to Siginon as the
freight holder and after 10 minutes he came back and the final payment to be
made was 2638KSH (31AUD), which I got a receipt for and 40 minutes later we
were able to back the car up to the loading dock and get my stuff loaded. My Customs Agent came out to shake my hand
and he gave me his card-he is actually a Lawyer (a prerequisite to become a
customs agent) and he said if I ever run into any problems I could call him
anytime. Yeah well after the week that I
have had, you can join the queue buddy…… and I hope that I will NEVER need a
Lawyer, as that just sounds like bad news!!!!
Now it was time to pay Tom for all his hard work. Steve and I had spoken about it while we were
waiting and he just said to not worry (I was worried); see what he asks for and
if it seems unreasonable then we would have to start ‘negotiating’. I HATE not knowing how much some-ones time is
worth. I don’t want to short change anyone
that has worked hard but I also don’t want to over pay, as it just reinforces
the Mzungu has money mentality and really ‘giving’ money away is just not
beneficial. In saying that, Tom was really
was invaluable today, and I was actually a little stressed as to what he was
going to actually ask for as his fee. So
we pulled away from the loading dock back into the carpark to talk ‘business’. I bought it up as I didn’t want him to think
I was just going to drive off, so I thanked him for everything and I asked how
much his fee was. I was very happy and
shocked when he told me 4,000KSH (47AUD), which to me was more than fair, he
had done a lot of running around for me, it wasn’t greedy and I wasn’t even
going to bargain with that price as I think he was worth every schilling. I got his mobile number and when I get my
next lot of boxes sent I will make sure that Tom will be on my team. So with a wave and a smile and a BIG thanks,
Steven and I finally left Siginon for the last time at 3.50pm. What a process but I was happy I had all my
things and I couldn’t wait to get them home and unpack the boxes and see what
exactly what was in there.
Steven took me home a different way, which had a bit more
traffic, but still only took us 45 minutes and we were back at home just after
4.30pm. The next and last issue was
getting my 8 boxes that weighed a total of 142kg past 10 workers that were
paving the driveway, down the sloping half completed drive and down 2 flights
of stairs. Well I didn’t have to worry
too much as I carried the first bag past the men, they asked if I needed a hand
and before I knew it I had all 8 boxes at my front door within, seriously, 5
minutes. You should have seen these
guys, they just hefted a box on the shoulder like it was a bag of oranges and I
was relieved that I had some small notes in my purse to tip them 400KSH
(4.70AUD) and it was worth every cent.
What a great way to end what was a long, eventful but successful day!
The last payment for the day was to my amazing Driver
Steven. I asked him a few weeks ago how
much does a ride cost to the airport after I had booked my Addis Ababa flights
and he told be 3000KSH (35AUD). I
thought this was fair as the airport to the city is 2000KSH and I’m on the
other side. So I had today priced at least
6000KSH for the return ride and then his time for the 5 hours he sat around and
ran around all the buildings for the day.
So it came down to me asking what his price was for the day and he generously
said he would just charge me for a half day and told me 7,000KSH. I was totally happy with that and the tipped
him an additional 500KSH on top of that.
He really is a good egg and I am glad that Caretaker Charles recommended
him to me. So a lot of money was paid
out today-more than I had expected, and it was lucky that I picked up my ‘rent’
envelop for the month as my backup cash supply, as I had no idea on what the
day was actually going to cost me. In
total it cost me 450AUD and 247AUD of that was in the damn tax. So that price can be reduced on the next
shipment when I try and avoid the ‘handicraft’ and new items tax.
So after all that would I send boxes again? The answer is yes.
Was it worth the money spent? The answer is yes. Especially to have some things from
Australia.
You can’t put a price on that.
I learnt a few things today that will help with the next
shipment.
1. Don’t
send new stuff. If it is new, take it out
of its box and cut off tags-wallah it is used!
2. Block
out the whole day for collection of said goods.
3. Make
sure you have a great agent and a patient driver.
4. Bring
lots of cash to make payments to everyone that needs to be paid.
Happy dance my boxes arrived today!!!!
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