Dear Editor,
I am writing to share my frustration regarding the clearing of shipments at the wharf and the hardship being experienced in the process.
When a charity clears a shipment, it must be approved by the EPU (Customs Entry Processing Unit), and this is where the real headache begins for those of us who do charity work. Three-quarters of local charities are in it for the passion of assisting others, and they only got formalized as a way of cutting costs for items that are being distributed free of charge.
During the clearing process last year, for example, we ended up having to go back to Total Logistics the following Monday after starting the process on Friday. Even then, I spent the entire day there before our shipment was released, as EPU found one fault after another until I had to reach out to the Public Relations Unit, where we got great customer service and assistance at last.
On Wednesday, November 7, I went to clear a shipment for our upcoming December event and was told I needed a donation sheet, but the figures did not match. The shipping agent calculated the receipts and the estimated cost and made another entry.
However, there was the question of the donation sheet.
Honestly, I have never used one before and only always presented receipts and estimated costs of items donated from overseas.
I called the EPU section at customs, asking about it so it could be addressed. An abrupt-sounding female responded “Maam, every charity knows what a donation list is, and if you don’t, I can’t help you.” Ignoring my requests for her to enlighten me, she hurried me off the phone.
Still at a loss and not being able to go any further, I was told by a customs officer, “That’s why it is advised you use a customs broker to clear your shipments; shipping agents are limited.” He offered ‘helpfully’ even as I wondered that, for a charity not making money and relying solely on donations, where would the extra funds come from to engage a customs broker?
Kudos to another senior customs officer who took pity on me. I was feeling weak and faint as I had been there all day and I am a diabetic and hypertensive. He did the donation sheet and showed me what to do for the next shipment (there are still angels out there).
As if that was not enough, I filed the annual return, and on arriving at the companies office, I was informed of an additional form that was needed called the Beneficial Owners and, with it, a fee of $3000 to file it. So now our cost has doubled from $3000 to $6000! Considering that they have my email on the records, it would have been nice to inform us of the changes; instead, I had to purchase the form and source the additional amount.
There is now a cost to file an annual return with Friendly Societies as well, which has moved from $0 to $5,000.
For small-scale charities, the pressure is high, and had it not been for my love of making a difference and volunteering, I might have thrown in the towel. I know of about three persons who have already done that.
The government keeps asking for partnerships from the church and others as they cannot meet the needs of all those who need them, but with all these roadblocks, it is left to be seen how many will remain in the game.
I am,
Frustrated Volunteer