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Santhosh Chandran
Doha
More and more expatriates are now switching to Q-Post for sending their consignments to home countries as they consider it safer and more secure.
Many shipping and cargo companies in Doha are reluctant to accept consignments to certain countries, particularly India, and even if they do, they are not guaranteeing the exact date of delivery of goods at the destination.
"Q-Post, on the other hand, deals with government and its recognised agencies in destination countries. This gives customers a level of comfort that the cargo companies fail to give," an Indian expatriate told Qatar Tribune.
A cargo company representative said that they had certain limitations in keeping track of the consignments once they leave Doha.
"In many countries, including India, we don't have our own clearing agents. We depend on third parties and hence, we are not able satisfy our customers," he said.
Given the size of the Indian expatriate community, shipments to Indian destinations constitute a key source of revenue for many mid and small-level cargo companies.
A representative of a cargo company in the Old Airport Area said,"The Government of India has imposed restrictions on import of household items. Also many clearing agents in India had lost their licences because of malpractices and for importing prohibited items."
The strict rules that protect the interests of consumers under the Consumer Protection Act in Qatar are also making these companies wary.
An agent said,"We always depend on third parties to deliver consignments at the destination address. Delays in shipment and new rules in destination countries are not under our control."
He pointed out that under the Consumer Protection Act, the consumers can seek action against cargo firms for failing to deliver consignments on promised date.
Indian expatriates have been facing problems due to weight and value restrictions imposed by India on import of electrical and electronic goods sent through cargo firms.
The agent said three-fourths of cargo firms are unable to service Indian customers in the absence of licensed supporting companies in India.
