The $5000 Booklets—Priceless?????

We had placed an order for more self-reliance booklets in February.  Total cost from church distribution $40.

In March, Renee had ordered some new self-reliance booklets for us to look at.

The first week of March, we received notification that the February order was being air freighted.

The second week of March, we received notification that the March order was being air freighted.

What does that mean? We had only received packages from the church through DHL.

April 12 Salt Lake asked for confirmation that we had received the packages.

We hadn't received any packages.

We had NO idea what to do.  

And now the fun began.

Wednesday April 12

The 4 confirmation papers that we had received showed that Pacific Air was the carrier and Tradeco was the consignee.  We called Tradeco. They couldn't help us and told us to call Pacific Air.

We call Pacific Air. They asked about the airway bill, the number on that, whatever that is. We looked through our paperwork and found the bill and were able to give them the number. They found the packages—they were at the airport, needing customs clearance. And told us they couldn't help us and to call Tradeco.

We call Tradeco again. They write down the airway bill number and will call us back. No call back.

Thursday, April 13

We call Tradeco again. They write down the airway bill number and will call us back. An hour later, we get the call. YEA!!! Our packages are at the airport cargo area.

We drive to the airport—cargo is after the main terminal. We go to the window. They find the packages BUT they haven't cleared customs. We ask—how and where do we get that taken care of? DHL. Okay, we can do that.  We know where DHL is in town.  By the way, the packages have been here since February and March. There is a storage fee. We explain about never being notified so they were very kind and said they wouldn't charge us storage.

Checking at imports.

We go to DHL and talk to Judy, the manager. Yes, they can help us. It will cost $4200 SBD!!! What a lot of money for customs clearance. We okay it. She gives us papers to have Pres. Sauseru fill out. Nothing can be done until the papers are filled out and tomorrow is Good Friday, so they won't be open and next Monday is a national holiday. So it will be Tuesday at the earliest.

Tuesday April 18

We find Pres. Sauseru's office and get his signature and stamp for the packages and take them to DHL. They will call us when the papers are processed.

Pres. Sauseru's spacious office.

Wednesday April 19

DHL calls us that they have our customs clearance papers finished. We head into town.  We actually paid $4600 SBD for the paper work and head out to the airport. We go to the import window and pay another $163 SBD and are sent to the customs office.

paying airport fees

When we find the door, it is bolted. We're told they are at the airport unloading a plane and will be an hour or more.

What?  No one there.

We go home for lunch and head back to the airport. The cargo door is open and we see a guy with a vest on that says CUSTOMS. Finally.

Yea, the customs guy is IN

He takes our paperwork and searches for the packages. He finally finds them—14 of them to be exact!

hunting for packages

packages found

loading the truck

They get loaded into the truck while Lynn goes to sign for having received them. The entries are hard to find. It took 15 minutes—they were listed under Tradeco. We finally sign and head for home.

hunting for final clearance

7 days + countless hours +  3 trips to the airport +  2 trips to DHL +  1 trip to Pres. Sauseru's office  + 3 phone calls to Tradeco +  1 phone call to Pacific Air + 2 checks = packages claimed!!! Success.