hello everybody,
i have ordered some stuff from Hobbyking after one day i got mail telling "shipped" with trk number but after two days i have got another mail saying again my order has been shipped guess what the trk number also has been changed ! anyone in this forum faced same problem!Than what problem is this?

Strange!! This never happened with Vinay or me at least. must have been some goof up. You have to wait for 2-3 week until you actually receive the item.

hi,

you can track using this url and can check if your consignment is listed

http://app3.hongkongpost.com/CGI/mt/enquiry.jsp

Also you can go in for a live chat support to clarify with the HK office.

am not sure about the live chat as Hk are not very good in communication...did you ship this vide registered airmail or air parcel or ems?... did the prefix change in your second tracking number as usually
R -  International (Registered) Air Mail
C - air parcel
E - EMS
and frankly this does not happen quite often that they send a different tracking number or their checker robot might have made a mistake and sent you ANOTHER PACKAGE 

Ya, never happened. Just see which tracking number is registered against the order in your account. that would be the one. Also see which one is valid on the HK postal site. In both the cases it will reach you safely, so relax. 

yeah just click on the tracking number in your account and it will show you the status of the package on HKpost
It normaly takes 4 business days to reflect on the site.

Don't worry you will get your package

Hellyflyer

Thanks for your inputs guys,
and i have ordered through regular airmail (registered) my first 3 orders reached safely within 13 to 20 days but this one strange  !!!!!
anyhow i have two trk numbers and both are not active yet and i am checking both ones let us see which one will come to me!

as advised by hellyflyer the number reflected in my account is activated but the first number which i got not activated yet let us see what happens!

pravven, could you give some info on how much you paid for the customs..
What was you bill amout in the first three order and the corresponding customs amount.
Would really help to get an idea..
Some members have actually paid nothing..

@ drone actually my
first order was around $140 (Radio)and it was weighing 1kg reached safely without any damage done to package by customs(exactly 21days)
Second was Radio rx ,some props ,lipos worth of $60 weighing around 750grms (time taken exactly 13days)
third was $100 some ,motors ,esc , some instruments ,fibreglass cloth etc weighing 750 grams(time taken exactly 20 days)

for all three orders i didnt pay any  customs !
this time need to wait and see the trk num says its being processed to ship today!

which radio hobbyking dont have radio worth 140$
hey just to know no offence

u must be damn lucky
but how much u declared on the parcel

hey sorry friend i forgot to mention it was not actually from HK but from R2hobbies but i got through same HK post ,radio is 8ch eurgle $105+$23 for extra Rx and $22.71 for shipping! and rest all from HK and u know one thing the radio, i was lucky with Tx but both rx was working but faulty!
but HK rx works smoothly!which i ordered for first time from HK.
ya i was luky with customs but u need to fool customs like wise!
i can post the pic of the box tommorow!

how much amout did u decalred on top of parcel

i don't know friend, i will post pic tommorow!

....JUST A SUGGESTION....
i would suggest all not to post any sort of box picture here as this may harm other parcel too....who knows ....there are many eyes watching us and our forum...and request all not to pinch customs by saying "fooling customs" they are much more efficient then us....and they know law more then us....
....JUST A SUGGESTION....

good suggestion sandeep thank you! will not do that

pravven, tnx for the info.
How much % did you declare (for customs) at the time of buying RC stuff online either from HK or R2h?

HK does give the provision for a false declaration...bt i wud advice every1 to be honest n declare the exact amount...cuz if the attatched invoice gets lost/misplaced or if the order is of large size/value then customs guys ask us to bring the CC slip/statement to see the amount...you could face a problem that time....

btw i ordered some stuff through International Registered Post ($14.99)..with a tracking number which starts with "RB"
can anyone please tell me from where i may track its status??

@dinil i saw the amount on the box which i got from r2h they have declared $95 and marked as a gift and stating "happy birthday"
@drone i honestly declare 30% every time ,but for my luck i have never paid customs !

guys i got my package!
belive it or not 11th it showed "item left to its destination "  and today i.e 13th i have package in my hand and as usual! no customs!
 

Congrats buddy !!! 

Was this through EMS or Registered ? The thread is confusing.

regular airmail (registered)

regards
Praveen

hi to all members

i just ordered to HC on 26/04/2010 and amount was cleared at 27/04/2010. They mailed me that they have inspected and my parcel was gone in dispach depatment and they gave me tracking no. but the tracking no was of no use bcoz the EMS shows that it is not valid no and Today 13/05/2010 i received my parcel. thanks to HC

first i was veried about parcel bcoz the tracking no was not working so i asked the online help of HC..

and Today my parcel arrived ......

Hi,

Even I have a parcel that was cleared payment (HK) on April 27 and was shipped on May 05, 2010. Till now it has not arrived. The tracking site shows "Item left for its Destination India" on May 05, 2010. This is EMS

Hope to get it soon 

hey don't worry at any cost it will reach you!
and i noticed that there were two stickers of trk number, behind the new numbered sticker there was a old numbered sticker which i was talking about!

the only thing I am worried about is getting stuck at customs (almost 1 kg including iCharger) ... I know it takes eternity to clear from customs... add the hassles to it.  

This is the first time i have ordered through EMS. rest all parcels came through registered posts without any issues.

does anyone knows any contact number of the EMS tracking office. the ones I have are never answered. 

HK posr usually dispatches the parcel within 48 hrs (though thier site is not updated accurately). your parcel reaches India within 3 days. Rest all delay is solely due to Indian Customs. I have recieved packets dispatched 10-14 day apart from HK Post together on same day!

EMS is good for expedited delivery/very large items and the EMS guys take care that customs clearance is done faster. Except for that, I don't see any value than paying obscene price. Vinay ans myself have mostly stuck to 750g Reg Airmail and they always got thru customs. Vinay even ordered 3KG parcel (non EMS) full of tools and it went thru. The downside of EMS is that they almost always attract customs.

Charger should not be a big deal, don't worry.

thanks for the encouraging words...  hope to get the parcel soon...

Thanks and cheers !!!

@ yd_rawat
what exactly do you mean when you say -HK does give the provision for a false declaration.

When you are checking out while buying from HK you have the option of declaring 10,20,30,40,50....100 % of the actual price of the items you bought on the invoice that they stick on the parcel.

Hey

Even i ordered some stuff from HK on 17-Apr-10...it was shipped on 29 Apr 10. But i haven't received it yet. It is a registered air mail with tracking number RB321929117HK. What is the avg time it takes to reach India??

The Indian speed-post website which is listed at Hong kong post website shows no record for the tracking number. Those who have received HK orders from airmail..please confirm if the Indian site is active or not???

Regards

@pravven and @ankurkaul17



Now I'm confused.
Its 30 or 100 ?

So is it like you declare 100% and the max custom you may have to shell is 30% ?

Even my package which left Hong kong on 29th April reached on Wednesday after much delay. Wait till this week and only then query  the FPO..

 Ujjwaana, Y dont you make a step by step guide to buy from Hobby city?   

I cannot improve perfection. You have already done that in a bunch of threads!

Got my package today    Customs Rs 250/-

Hi All,

Finally i got my EMS parcel from HK yesterday.

All thanks to Sushil Anand,   he only advised me to follow up with the customs. The parcel was stuck with the customs for more than 2 weeks.

Yesterday, I had gone to EMS customs office which is at the airport, to enquire about my parcel.

Though, I had not recieved any communication regarding the parcel stuck at customs, I assumed that it wud be at customs only. I got the BY number and was informed at the counter that I had to go to customs dept for clearing.

The customs department was all empty at 10:00AM.   Finally the custom officers came at 12:00 PM.  >
They inspected my parcel and assessed a duty of Rs. 541/- (Rs.441 (customs) + Rs.100 postal fee) (customs charged  @14.712% for HOBBY PARTS)  
The whole parcel was assessed a value of Rs. 3000 (however, the total cost was US$165 )

To my surprise, the custom officers knew about RC stuff   and they asked me if it was the same stuff used by aeromodellers at Mahalakshmi ground., to which I replied yes. They knew about the aeromodelling activity at Mahalakshmi and they understood the contents of the parcel without any explanation.  

They immediately cleared it and I paid the custom duty, along with some table charges of Rs.250 (bribe)   to a clearing agent and took the parcel. I had to pay the money just to get the parcel on the inspection table on priority.  

Finally, I have it. Thanks a lot to Mr. Sushil Anand for his advice.

Cheers!!!

Great new Saurabh!! Next time go for smaller packet and avoid EMS which is always an eye catcher for customs...

Correct...

As from my experience, EMS always goes through customs, no matter how small the package is. I saw one peron struggling to clear his parcel that had only a pen (parker pen) and he had to pay customs of Rs. 250 for it.

My advise is to keep the parcel small and rather order through registered air parcel. It may take some time to get delivered but its worth it. Atleast you get saved from the hassles of customs.

Way too much information to be made public

do unregisterd airmail invite tax

Saurabh and all others are requested to kindly ...

I ordered 1Kg stuff from HobbyKing through EMS (bunch of motors, servos, lipos, props, etc... but no RX/TX)... But, the package was shipped on the the 16th April as per HongKong post. I cannot get any status info. from our www.indiapost.gov.in website... Nor have I received any letter from the customs office.

Saurabh and some others had commented that they called the MUMBAI Customs Office and received and internal "BY number". How do I get this information. Do I need to call some Customs office ? Can someone please provide the Mumbai Customs phone number?

If someone is visiting their office can you please check the status of my package toooooo? My tracking number is EA046519327HK

Looking forward to your advice.

Yes indeed ... guess Saurabh brohter got elated after getting his parcel after so long wait. Really appreciate his openness to educate other..... but would suggest some ****  masking to be politically correct in the hostile Indian environment where people are Axed for speaking on Twitter .

@Dinil,
Tax( customs) opening and chargin depends on Type of post (EMS attract eyes), Size of the package (1.5m long Box deemed to throughly checked), Declared value wrt to Size. A 2'x2' box having a value to $20 going to raise alarm. Right packet size and reasonable declaration may entirely save you from customs hassles.

Unregistered mail for small (500g) package are fine to pass customs, but might get 'lost' (stolen) at any point (more when they land in India, as people say) and mind that HC does not covers unregistered parcels for loss. I've already lost 3 (e-bay/Dealextreme) till date. So going for Registered Airmail/parcel is the safest middle path.

I have faced this right with my First ever RC purchase.  Get the phone number of the FPO and not Customs to begin with. Better still, visit your local FPO (Foreign Post Office). The FPO and Customs (PAD - Parcel Appraisal Dept) are usually located in the same premises. Find the correct person in the FPO and give him the ship address and Tracking no. He could give you the status of your package - either it is with them, awaiting Customs clearance or (for worse) confiscated by Customs. In later 2 cases, he can give you a BY no which you can use to follow up with PAD (ugliest part).

If the package 'left' Hongkong on 16th April and not just dispatched from HC (check this), its over a month that it would have reached Mumbai already. Its high time you contact the FPO/PAD. Some people also suggest to keep a mum so that the customs fed up and release the stuff instead. There risk here as well.
Call the FPO today so at least check your status, this wont be intrusive. They don't create problem themselves - but be careful form customs.

Hi,

Please remember, that it takes about 3-7 days for an EMS package to reach India.
May be you should try calling the Mumbai EMS / SpeedPost at 022 26156703, 9969618051, 022 2615 6125,   022 2615 6093 or email them at   spc.mumbai@indiapost.gov.in

There is one more number : 022 26156648

You may find it hard to get this number, but keep trying, you will get your BY number from this telphone number only.

Few more things from my observation:

1.) The last number mentioned above in bold is surely working and I saw the lady answering queries on that number.
2.) The postal people who were there in the customs informed me that I was lucky in a way that I had come there personally for collections. There is a HUGE backlog of EMS parcels waiting for the customs inspection. So incase you have not recieved your parcel, it is likely that your parcel is one in the waiting list to be inspected. The backlog is of more than 2 months. Only after the inspection is done, the customs will dispatch a notice to your postal address.
3.) If possible ask any of your friends in mumbai to go to the customs office (next to the Sahara hotel at the airport) and get it cleared personally after getting the BY number. (Public Visiting hours: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM only) but ask your friend to be there by 12.The post office has a visitors list which can be filled by the person who comes for collecting the parcel. Once that list is filled, they take out those parcels for inspection, assess and clear them the same day. The whole point being, if you want your stuff out early, you will have to follow it with them. The person will have to carry a copy of photo ID.
4.) You will find some clearing agents (touts) at the entry of the customs office, they will offer help in getting your parcels cleared but will charge you for that.  
 

For further information, please go to www.indiapost.gov.in/NSDefault.htm .

I hope the above helps and you get your parcel.

Not getting any information regarding a speed post (either through internet or through mail) is a clear indication that the parcel is stuck with customs and pending inspection.

Great details Saurabh!!... thanks in helping in making things clearer to newbies/flyers in need. KUDOS

I heard the bad news that Mumbai RC shops are finding hard to get customs clearance and Mumbai is become a grave yard for budget/'Resource less' flyers...Good news is that R/C stores have spread to even remote Tier -III cities!!

Very true...  . Chennai, Bangalore even Delhi customs are clearing stuff regular, but not Mumbai!! WAITLIST OF 2 MONTHS!!!!!!!

Hi,

I dont think so... actually the mumbai customs are not holding RC stuff specifically. I did not see any issues regarding RC stuff in particular. They are surely clearing the parcels with RC commodities. The only problem is that there is a huge backlog and the number of custom inspectors are only handful (I saw only 4). It takes about 8-10 mins to clear one parcel depending upon the content (as they refer to their big old "customs book" for rates and restricted contents.)

They certainly know about the RC stuff and the items. They did not even say "Not allowed" or "restricted item". They know these items are being imported and they are fine with it till we are ready to pay custom duties (14.712% currently as per the custom's book)

Since the number of officers doing this job is less, there are more number of parcels arriving each day which is causing this delay. Add to it their casual attitude and late coming and early goings along with customers who come for clearing parcels everyday.

Well thats what i meant and nothing specific to RC.. in general delay!

No, I heard R/C specific curb in Mumbai and difficulties of Mumbai LHS, from old timers and LHS people in Bangalore. Looking for field report from Mumbai LHS who bulk order.

Wish AMAI takes this issues Suo Moto and bring one of first goodness to the R/C fraternity.

hey ,

i got my package on the 8th day, i ordered on 10th, it was dispatched from Hong Kong on 14th and i got it on 18th May... normal registered post..


Rgds
YD

Its one of the best cases scenario, and 1-2 times even I have blessed.

Hobby King has improved its dispatch from 4-5 days to 48 hours. HK post still lags for 4 days. Once the package leaves HK (as seen from HK Post tracking page), it reaches India the next day and clears port customs in another  1-2 days. So 2+4+1+2 = 9 is one of the best case scenario if it not held by local (FPO) customs at all. In your case both HC and HK post took less time, and most probably FPO bypassed it. Hope this becomes norm than exception.

Thats where Mumbaities take a beating.. I think like what Saurabh pointed there is a huge backlog of parcels in all and clearing them is slow! so obviously even RC parts imported via Mumbai get stuck in queue!! other custom offices dont seem to have much delay..
I dont have much experience in this but maybe Sujju/Gaurav/sandeep et.al. know the situation better!!

Oh my! Oh My ... The shipment from HC has become unrealistically fast.

Ordered : 11/5
Left HK   : 18/5
I received: 21/5 (today)

All in all < 11 days!!

May I know what all did you order? How big was the parcel and the weight.

its now 24 hours shipping in hbk

My work horse 500g package. Contained a Mini Turnigy cam (19g which Subbu got), Hex Socket drivers, 12A ESC, 2x 360mAh Lipos, 6+1 props,  ESC prog card and few fillers. 500g and 750g Registered Airmail are the best price:weight:risk(custom) ratios... stick to them...on  750g parcel, shipping comes close to Rs 1/g. (Vinay's formula  ) so you can calculate the price overhead and consider LHS more realistically while ordering item

My HobbyKing shipment is now officially lost. Nonetheless, I want to thank you all for the help/info. (ph #, website address, etc) of the customs and speed post office.

I filled a claim with Paypal 3 weeks ago, and thankfully today they made a decision in my favor... As such, they are going to refund my $152 !  Never ordering from overseas anymore... 

Dont get disheartened ! we have around 60+ parcels between Vinay and me and only 4-5 parcels (small envelops - all e-bay/DealXtreme sellers) got lost and the sellers promptly re-sent the items.
None of our HC packaet has lost till date. I guess barring the long holdup at FPO, shipment from Hong Kong/China/US is no more risky than our Local courier shipping from Delhi to , say , Mumbai.

good thing is that you got you money back. Dont know how many Indian sellers (I dont mean R/C LHS) on E-bay would do this generous thing ?

test the waters, you are first time unlucky!

I am sorry to hear about your package, but guess what I got mine today morning in 7 days flat ... and guess what guys it has a Futaba 6ch Tx w/rxin it  and loads of other stuff ie Lipo charger, battery, servos etc... no customs duty ... I guess I was lucky  > > >

You were  absolutely DAMN lucky!! I mean you must have balls to do it the ongoing scenario ! Man o Man! how big was the packet ? Its strange how they let go a big packet!
Please dont take such (sweet) incidents for granted in highly sensitive places like Delhi and Mumbai where the FPO scene is very hot.

It was a 4169grams. Big Box, with some mouth watering  goods in it....

Hi All,

I got this new tracking number from HK can anyone tell me which site can I use to track this  RP955200810CH

Thanks
Hellyflyer

It seems to be shipped from China, and the only tracking links they have is for EMS items.  This items does not seem to be EMS (no results on the China Post EMS tracking service).

All the parcels ending with "CH", check the status here...

https://www.post.ch/EasyTrack/submitParcelData.do

Wonder whether the tracking codes that end in "CH" are for China (should it be "CN") or Swiss ?

Good it works.

Thanks it works for me too, I posted incorrect tracking number

They are using Swiss post to ship from HongKong/China ?

I ordered mine yesterday on HK and its coming via SpeedSpost Singapore !

What is "mine"   Another heli ?

My travels still not finished, but managing to keep an eye out on the forum here
I have been hovering my HK-450 GT but on my last flight this Sunday, broke the main rotor blades. Had to place an order on HobbyKing for replacements !

even the unregistered airmail are showing tracking numbers

Hi,
This is what is called is "luck by chance"...as in my one of the post i said that when i order things from HC i forget and relax.... this time also i did the same. i book material at HC on 2nd, and as you all know that there was issues at HK airport end that some screening is delaying the parcel from HK... i checked the shipment status but nothing was available....yesterday the status was updated which is  attached. to my surprise i got the parcel today at 4:30 PM...thanks to HC and Indian customs...
I really appreciate Indian customs for its fantastic service once again..

Sandeep

Its really strange where the world is outsourcing their production and Backoffice to
China, Chinese Post has its online tracking outsourced/Supported by Swiss Post! wow!!

The worst part is, considering existing ban on many 'toy' products from China, HC shipping through HK Post might have been averting this complication. I don't know how authorities would treat HC items coming through Chinese post!

Folks keep the thread updated if you face any issue in the shipment.

My HC shipment dispatched on 18th may was delivered somewhere @6-7June. It attracted ~14% Customs Duty even though it was marked as "Gift" (still nominal).
The package(500gms) seemed like it was opened. It had 'Indian Foreign Post' packing tape on it.

Hi Sandeep, what was the shipment type? like EMS/ registered Airmail... Mine posted above was registered Airmail.

The Customs randomly opens even the smaller packets regardless if it is marked 'Gift' . When they open, the usually levy some duty. Its all luck. The 'Gift' mark has worked more often in the recent past, but it might have turned counterproductive after so many shipper abused it.

Order. Cross your fingers...
my 17th May HC package is still to reach me.

Despite all the hurdles that HK is facing. My parcel reached me in flat 16 days after booking and it was just a registered mail. The box was crushed, probably due to heavy weight on the box. Nothing damaged except a bent flybar, which anyway I have in stock. The parcel came tru swiss post.

The 24 Hours shipping holds good! Long live HobbyKing! Long Live Jason for your excellent work! For putting you own extra money to ship via alternative routes and make us happy!

Ujjwal, Please order a HK T Shirt - Medium (Black - the new ones) from HobbyCity for me - as mentioned before in this post by you.

every parcel by swiss post is going to zurich via
singapore til it reaches its destnation.
wow getting tracking details for unregistered airmail also

I received my parcel routed through Swiss. It was dispatched on June 02 and I received iton June 22. 20 days flat for the shipping. Package was small may be around 250 gms. No customs

I had a "Cell-Log 8M Cell Voltage Monitor 2-8S Lipo" in this parcel. This is a great product.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=10952

Cell Logs are good, I have the original 27 $ version and its great. They can be calibrated as well!

Hi guys

Need to share this with you..had received a wrong item in an order. They asked me to send the item back. Just checked out...they have refunded the product price + return shipping charges as store credit.

Regards

i had ordered some parts from hobbyking on 18th october.....
but its been over a month i havent received my parcel yet.
i had ordered through registered airmail.
parcel weighed around 2 kg.
can anybody tell me when will i get the parcel.....
or help me out to get my parcel