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  #1  
Old 17 Nov 2006
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Location: Cayce,South Carolina,USA
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Argentina shipping nightmare
I left my moto in Bueno Aires to have the motor rebuilt and flew back to the US. I ordered all of the necessary new parts and shipped them via DHL to Bueno Aires. Customs will not let them into the country, stating the parts are used, even though they are still in original packages, have a packing list and all documents state parts are new. DHL Argentina states they cannot do anything. The mechanic cannot get anywhere with customs or DHL. They want $500 US to send them back (it was $188 to ship there). Without the parts the bike obviously cannot be repaired or driven out of the country in the timeframe I was given. It seems clear either customs (and DHL Argentina ) are lazy, ignorant, or want a bribe. I cannot do anything about the first 2 and, even if I wanted to, I cannot do the third from here in the US. Any suggestions?
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  #2  
Old 17 Nov 2006
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Strange thing to hear
Many travellers have picked up spare parts from the "correo internacional" in Retiro.Probably you had to go to DHL in town?There is no issue with used spareparts.What you and i couldn´t import are used bikes!!!!At least permanently......
Hire a lawyer and put some pressure.Try again nicely first.How bad is your castellano?(spanish).Isn´t there may be some issue,hahaha
Where in BA are you?
PM me.
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  #3  
Old 17 Nov 2006
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I am in the USA
I am fairly helpless to do anything from here and aduana and DHL know it. The parts are motor parts for a Harley- I would not put in used parts even if available. I have used parts in the moto-that's the problem!
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  #4  
Old 18 Nov 2006
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Consulate
I have emailed the Argentine Consulate here, I will try the American Consulate in Argentina. I was going to carry the parts on the plane on my return flight, but the mechanic wanted them ASAP to get the work done. You can bet I regret shipping them . Thanks for the info.
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  #5  
Old 18 Nov 2006
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Hire a customs broker.
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  #6  
Old 18 Nov 2006
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Broker
Well, DHL was supposed act as the broker but instead the Argentina unit sits on their thumbs whining that they cannot (read:won't) do anything. The package only has small gaskets, bearings, bushings,etc. It is hard to see why they even targeted it.
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  #7  
Old 18 Nov 2006
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On who´s name was the box sent?
Remember that only the person whos destinatary can pick up the box.Did you send it with the mecanics name?
Otherwise big trouble.
Good luck
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  #8  
Old 18 Nov 2006
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pressure on DHL
Totally agree.
Where it might be difficult for you to arrange things in Buenos Aires,
you can start to make life difficult for your local DHL agent.
They claim to do fast and trouble-free worldwide deliveries, so let them keep their promise!
If there are any problems regarding import-rules they should have warned you before the shipment, i assume.
It might help when you tell DHL you will cancel your payment and that you'll also want your spare parts back or refunded.
Just try everything to make them contact their Argentinian office to get them to do their job.

Good luck and hope you'll succeed soon!

regards,

gerbie
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  #9  
Old 18 Nov 2006
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I have found a USA DHL employee who has promised to take it up the line. We shall see. The package was addressed to the mechanic. A suspicious thing (besides customs claiming the parts are new) is that the mechanic received a note from DHL saying they could ship it back to me for $500 ( 2 1/2 times the original shipping cost). I am starting to feel I am the victim of blatant extortion. The HUBB replies have been helpful- thanks and keep them coming.
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  #10  
Old 24 Nov 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
...
Here in the US you should be able to find someone at the State Dept. who's actual job it is, is to help US citizens with such predicaments.
Let us correct our perceptions about the US State Department. They do not exist to help average US citizens. Their primarily purpose is high-level political maneuvering and oh by the way they might get you a passport if you pay enough and wait long enough and fill out enough forms twice. And if you belong to a certain class of business or political interests you might get help. Or if your case doesn't look good in the major news stories you might get token assistance. But the US embassies, consulates, and the US State Dept are not there to help the little guy, and least of all somebody who rides a bike. If you do get any sort of meaningful assistance, you are very fortunate, and certainly have enjoyed an exception.

cheers
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  #11  
Old 26 Nov 2006
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Unhappy a reply
By the way... DHL (Holland) has a very good "not satisfied, money back" warenty. I once used them to send new credit-cards to guatemala.... which took 8 day's instead of the promised 2 day's and they refunded my payment after the first request.

Maarten
Last edited by Grant Johnson; 28 Nov 2006 at 20:51.
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  #12  
Old 24 Nov 2006
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Just a thought.....
Assuming its all screwed up & you cant get the package....is there no way you can source the parts you need in Argentina ?

Bearings are standard sizes and there are plenty of places to buy them, gaskets can be made (I had some cut from a sheet), bushes can be machined out of something thats the same material (some of mine used to be piston pins).

More exotic/special parts would pose a problem but in Argentina just about *any* standard part can be made.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Alexander
Well, DHL was supposed act as the broker but instead the Argentina unit sits on their thumbs whining that they cannot (read:won't) do anything. The package only has small gaskets, bearings, bushings,etc. It is hard to see why they even targeted it.
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