Nervous

I am such a nervous wreck today. Literally for the past two weeks since I was told that our cargo has arrived at the Mombasa port. I do not mind doing my online purchases because they are straight forward. But you think about the clearing system in Kenya at the port and its nail biting, at least for me. 

First you identify a clearing agent whom you have never met physically because he is in Mombasa and I am in Nairobi .Though he has cleared  some goods for us in the past. I think the nature of their work makes them assume you can read their minds .Like the other day he sent me a text message stating the amount of duty charges we need to pay, I called him and he was in a meeting and he said he would return my call which he didn't. When I called him the following morning, he wanted the cheque in Mombasa , and I was like you didn't inform me of that, am not just sitting outside a bank waiting to do the cheque.

With the time line pressure( because they start charging you for storage at the port after a few days), I closed the shop and went to prepare a bankers cheque in town. I made an error  in the cheque and the cashier told me I needed another signatory to counter sign. I was on the verge of tears. So I called my beloved who came and signed a few more leaves just incase it was needed. I then made the bankers cheque and left out my last name, didn't think it was a big deal until the agent received a call from customs 3 days after, stating that there are too many people with my two names and hence required my third name. What that meant was, I do a fresh cheque and because of the urgency it needed to be issued in Mombasa. Well I spent about an hour in the banking hall and finally got it delivered to the agent.

I must say I have made many calls to his phone. They always have a story, at times giving you hope at times you are left in suspense. I have been waiting for his call to hear that the goods have been realised and  only then will I relax. Mostly you hear stories like" the goods have been undervalued and hence need to be revalued or you need to increase the duty fee".  Goods brought into the country are not as expensive from their country of origin however the costs rise at the port. At times I wonder whether we are being punished for doing business, because it is too costly.The high duty fees,import duty fee(IDF), the 15% penalties by Kenya Bureau of Standards( if you do not have certificates of clearance), storage, port and transport charges are some of the payments that have to be done So am crossing my fingers and toes,waiting and hoping. 

Am trying to preach to myself  against worrying but am just so nervous.