A year on... goods from Dubai not reached India

How many days would it take for a door-to-door cargo delivery company to deliver goods from Dubai to Kolkata, India?

Take your wildest guess: 60 to 70 days.

But, for Saby K, the wait has been for over a year and yet his agony has not ended.

Saby moved back to Kolkata, India, in October 11, 2010 and used the service of a Dubai-based cargo delivery company, Gulf Coast Tourism and Travels, which promised to send his household goods (furniture, white goods, etc) within three months.

“I paid over Dh11,000 for my goods to be delivered at my residence in Kolkata. I have been promised almost 40 times in a year’s time, but, to date, I haven’t got all my stuff,” he told 'Emirates24|7' from Kolkata.

Although he received 25 items after eighth months, 18 items such as his expensive sofa set, cooking range, washing machine, refrigerator have still not reached the destination.

“The company official told me that all my items will be opened checked at the port and repacked. There they will put stickers with details of my goods on each packet and the list will be given to me. He also told me that when the ship leaves Dubai, they will courier and email me my shipment details along with the receipt.

“However, before leaving Dubai I visited the courier company’s office thrice to get shipment details, but he kept on giving different dates.”

Another problem for Saby was where to lodge a police complaint - Kolkata or Dubai.

“The Kolkata police told me I had no proof that I had paid for the shipment. I was given a tour and travel receipt. In the receipt, there was nothing mentioned in terms of number of items, kind of items and details of shipments. Moreover, I couldn’t afford to come to Dubai and lodge a police complaint.”

When contacted by 'Emirates24|7', G Kamraj from Gulf Coast, admitted there was a delay but said goods would be delivered soon. “There was some problem with the customs in Chennai. The consignment was stuck there. We had to pay more to get a clearance… the goods will be delivered soon,” he added.

When contacted, a number of door-to-door cargo delivery companies promised to deliver goods to Kolkata in maximum 20 days if airfreight service was used and a maximum of 60 days if goods were shipped by sea.

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