Hi I'm Tochukwu also one of the cofounders of Shypmate. In such a circumstance we would be understanding of the courier's situation and we would do what we think is best for both the customer and courier, potentially paying the courier before the item is given to the customer.
What circumstances? By default this is the case for every delivery. As a courier I would never accept a parcel unless it came with a cash advance to cover all import duties and taxes.
We haven't had a traveler yet that has had to pay for import duties or taxes.
Detained. Do your couriers really know what they are getting themselves into? There is a non-zero chance of them seeing the inside of an African prison cell. "Do not accept parcels from strangers, make sure you pack your own bags and not to leave luggage unattended."
>Detained. Do your couriers really know what they are getting themselves into? I do, but that's mostly because I travel a fair amount, and have some indirect professional exposure to international trade compliance/regulations. That's also precisely why I would probably never participate in a scheme like this, especially when travelling to countries with flaky civil or human rights records (in this case, Nigeria in pa…
While not trying to give offense, this service can easily be seen as taking advantage of the desperate, uninformed and/or gullible.
For your sake I hope you are very explicitly informing your couriers about the risks associated with carrying parcels for you and that you are seeking and getting informed consent.
Any other case and you are a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Detained. Do your couriers really know what they are getting themselves into? There is a non-zero chance of them seeing the inside of an African prison cell. "Do not accept parcels from strangers, make sure you pack your own bags and not to leave luggage unattended."
Travelers pack their bags themselves and fully inspect the items that they are placing in their luggage.
How do your customers feel about your couriers unboxing their iPads, activating them and taking a screwdriver to them to make sure they don't contain anything nasty?
How is it even possible for your couriers to fully inspect the items if they come in your sealed package?
This does nothing to protect against threat vectors coming from black hat vendors. Unless you open, disassemble, X-Ray and inspect all packages your couriers will be at risk of carrying contraband.
This is very true. Because we do purchase the items ourselves we do see the vendors who are shipping the items and so we can screen for this and mitigate the risk. We are definitely going to invest in a machine to X-Ray packages to further ensure the safety of travelers. Thanks for pointing this out.
What about items that you can only buy online?
Even if you do meet some of the vendors, how is that going to help? All it takes is one black hat in the delivery chain and you are toast.
What circumstances? By default this is the case for every delivery. As a courier I would never accept a parcel unless it came with a cash advance to cover all import duties and taxes.
We haven't had a traveler yet that has had to pay for import duties or taxes.
So only small ticket items then? Or have your couriers been smuggling in the stuff? ;)
What circumstances? By default this is the case for every delivery. As a courier I would never accept a parcel unless it came with a cash advance to cover all import duties and taxes.
We haven't had a traveler yet that has had to pay for import duties or taxes.
That's not an acceptable argument to the question. Just because it hasn't happened in the past does not mean it can't or wont happen once the service begins to grow, or not even if it begins to grow.. If it continues to operate into the future as someone else said the chance is non-zero.
>Detained. Do your couriers really know what they are getting themselves into? I do, but that's mostly because I travel a fair amount, and have some indirect professional exposure to international trade compliance/regulations. That's also precisely why I would probably never participate in a scheme like this, especially when travelling to countries with flaky civil or human rights records (in this case, Nigeria in pa…
While not trying to give offense, this service can easily be seen as taking advantage of the desperate, uninformed and/or gullible. For your sake I hope you are very explicitly informing your couriers about the risks associated with carrying parcels for you and that you are seeking and getting informed consent. Any other case and you are a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Hey amazon_not, of course there are a number of kinks to be worked out re the security and legality of the shypmate service, and hopefully they can do so in a timely fashion. However, as a resident Nigerian I can attest to the dire need for such a service. On various occasions I have had to wait months on end until someone I am acquainted to, however loosely, is coming back from the states for me to buy items that I otherwise have no access to. From what I can tell, shypmate is looking to open up the american retail market to African consumers in a service that for many, is an answered prayer. Do they need to look more into the safety and legality of the platform? Of Course!! And I am sure they know this. But I am very happy they have gotten this service started. I'm sure they'll figure things out as they go.
Detained. Do your couriers really know what they are getting themselves into? There is a non-zero chance of them seeing the inside of an African prison cell. "Do not accept parcels from strangers, make sure you pack your own bags and not to leave luggage unattended."
>Detained. Do your couriers really know what they are getting themselves into? I do, but that's mostly because I travel a fair amount, and have some indirect professional exposure to international trade compliance/regulations. That's also precisely why I would probably never participate in a scheme like this, especially when travelling to countries with flaky civil or human rights records (in this case, Nigeria in pa…
Yes, for the most part the travelers are people who go back and forth between Nigeria and US, and Ghana and US often and already practice this behavior, but now have an option to make extra money from it and potentially make it safer than the behavior they practice now.
If the item being delivered is over a certain value we'd have the shoppers (in Ghana or Nigeria) cover duties and taxes. We do hope to iterate and make the process more seamless but right now we package and seal the items in Shypmate packaging when we send it to the traveler. It is a very valid issue with preventing any contraband and making sure the traveler is safe. The couriers are also vetted before we allow them…
> If the item being delivered is over a certain value we'd have the shoppers (in Ghana or Nigeria) cover duties and taxes. Isn't it usual for countries to charge import duties on any goods (regardless of value) brought for trade (including for delivery to a purchaser) rather than for personal use, but allowing some exemptions for personal use? Is the "over a certain value" here an indication that the business model h…
Are you providing your couriers with any documentation stating that they are acting as your transport agents in shipping parcels into the country in an attempt to shield them from any liability?
Do you provide all the necessary documentation for importing and clearing customs and/or do you train your couriers on how to perform these duties?
Do you provide couriers with legal representation in-country and will you cover all costs for their defense?
Hi I'm Tochukwu also one of the cofounders of Shypmate. In such a circumstance we would be understanding of the courier's situation and we would do what we think is best for both the customer and courier, potentially paying the courier before the item is given to the customer.
What circumstances? By default this is the case for every delivery. As a courier I would never accept a parcel unless it came with a cash advance to cover all import duties and taxes.
Very valid point from a couriers perspective. We will consider and safe and systematic way to do this so we don't run into cases where a courier claims an import duties were collected when that wasn't the case. Definitely appreciate all the valid concerns you bring up.