Getting lost property back from JNB... aargh!

[oliverd]

Hoping someone might have a clever solution to what's turning out to be very complicated...

My son left his brand-new camera (with all his photos from our Namibia holiday) in the BA lounge at Johannesburg airport on the way home. He realised as we were taxiing down the runway.

After many phone calls once we arrived in Sydney, I managed to track it down. Which is where the fun starts! After setting up a FedEx account, and completing a Remote Pickup Request Form, I was informed that FedEx won't pick up Personal Effects. Unless I also complete a 7-page Australian Quarantine Inspection B534 form and (I think) I need to employ a broker in Australia to the clear the item at Australian Customs upon the package’s arrival.

Anyone happened to have experience with courier/transport companies that can take care of this process?

Oliver

 

[UP4014]

That sounds right. You could ask them to take out the memory card and post that and they can keep the camera in return.

To me the photos are always more valuable than the camera.

 

[oliverd]

That sounds right. You could ask them to take out the memory card and post that and they can keep the camera in return.

To me the photos are always more valuable than the camera.

Thanks @BAM1748, that had crossed my mind... will do some more investigation tomorrow. Am more concerned about the photos than the camera itself (a $250 compact), although my 9yr old did manage to work out how to wirelessly connect his iPad to the camera and has downloaded half the photos...

 

[UP4014]

Unless it's a Hasselblad in which case I'd buy a ticket and go back and get it.

 

[vetrade]

Your problem is that couriers (even the big international companies) often have terrible control over their employees because often the thieves have even infiltrated management levels - meaning accountability is negligible. Pilfering is rife everywhere in JNB. 12 months ago I paid extra to send a birth certificate using DHL express delivery to my son who lives there. Even though it was supposed to be tracked every step of the way it just disappeared - and DHL had no idea where or how it went missing. So my advice is don't rely on any courier company to get anything to you from JNB or vice versa.

Where is the camera now? Who actually has possession of it? I may be able to help.

 

[Daver6]

If you had posted this 48 hours earlier, my mum could have brought it back to Australia.

Perhaps see if anyone else flying back from JNB could bring it back for you?

 

[Peter78]

I will be in Johannesburg next week, flying back (on QF64) on Thursday, October 19. Depending on where the camera is and if you think I can help, contact me so we can discuss.

 

[docjames]

Sounds like a good excuse for a status run back to JNB.....