Dear Claudienne,

I would appreciate your views on a recent experience I had with the Jamaica Customs Department.

My mom recently returned from England with a pair of shoes for me, but they were 1 1/2 sizes too big. I considered selling them, but doubted that anyone would pay what they were worth.

After doing my research I discovered that the post office offered a courier service that would allow me to return the shoes for $1,500, so I made use of the service. I sent the shoes to my aunt in England and she sent back the correct size.

When I went to collect the shoes at the post office I realised that a customs fee of $6,000 was being applied. I explained to the postmistress that I had returned the original pair for exchange, but she said I should have filled out a form stating that the shoes were being exchanged. I told her I was not aware of the procedure that I should have followed, but could prove that the shoes had been returned for exchange. She advised me to take the proof to the head office of the Customs Department and explain the matter.

I showed evidence to Customs that the shoes were previously in the island but had been exchanged because of the size. The customs officer told me that since technically it was a different pair of shoes, I was required to pay the $6,000 to clear them.

Do you think that the Customs Department made the correct ruling?

RT

Dear RT,

Tell Claudienne sought clarification from the Senior Director, Executive Services, Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA). The JCA asked whether your mother had paid any duty at Customs when she returned to the island with the pair of shoes. You replied that she had not paid any fees at Customs when she came in, as it was not required. After the JCA established that your mother had not paid duty for the original pair of shoes, they said that the fees for the new pair were applicable.The JCA sent the following statement toTell Claudienne:We wish you all the best.Dear Claudienne,As is customary, the National Housing Trust (NHT) provides an annual statement to its customers. Having not received my 2015 statement, I called the Customer Service Department on more than one occasion and was assured that the statements were posted and would be dispatched soon. It is now over one month since my initial enquiry, but to date nothing is forthcoming. This is unusual, as it is the first time that I am experiencing this problem, in fairness to the Trust. Nevertheless, I need this vital record. Attached for ease of reference is a copy of my 2014 statement.Your assistance in this matter would be highly appreciated.JFDear JF,

Tell Claudienne sought clarification from the Senior Director, Executive Services, Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA). The JCA asked whether your mother had paid any duty at Customs when she returned to the island with the pair of shoes. You replied that she had not paid any fees at Customs when she came in, as it was not required.

After the JCA established that your mother had not paid duty for the original pair of shoes, they said that the fees for the new pair were applicable.

The JCA sent the following statement to

Tell Claudienne:

“Based on the fact that there is no evidence of the shoes being imported previously and no verification was done when the customer returned the shoes, then it has to be treated as just being imported. Therefore the duties will be applicable.”

We wish you all the best.

Dear Claudienne,

As is customary, the National Housing Trust (NHT) provides an annual statement to its customers. Having not received my 2015 statement, I called the Customer Service Department on more than one occasion and was assured that the statements were posted and would be dispatched soon.

It is now over one month since my initial enquiry, but to date nothing is forthcoming. This is unusual, as it is the first time that I am experiencing this problem, in fairness to the Trust. Nevertheless, I need this vital record. Attached for ease of reference is a copy of my 2014 statement.

Your assistance in this matter would be highly appreciated.

JF

Dear JF,

We spoke to the NHT and note that you have now received the 2015 NHT statement.

The NHT responded to

Tell Claudienne as follows:

“Since receiving your mail, we have sent JF a soft copy of her 2015 and 2016 year-to-date statements. We have advised her that we sent the statement, and she has acknowledged receiving same.

We have begun investigating the reason(s) for her not receiving her 2015 statement as per schedule, with the intention of preventing a recurrence.

As an aside and for general information, please note that the NHT has a facility that allows all subscribed contributors and mortgagors to request and receive certain documentation electronically. We have been encouraging persons to register through our Got Mail Campaign.”

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.