Customs Charges

[Wayne J]

I ordered some parts from The States about a month ago. Goods value ~£50 with freight a further £50.
The goods were sent via International FedEx, no mention was made of any customs charges on the website. The goods arrived and were signed for by my neighbour, again no mention of charges.
About a week later I received an invoice from FedEx for customs clearance charges.
As I see it: I made no agreement at the time of purchase to pay any additional fees, nor were any pointed out to me. As such I'm just ignoring the invoice altogether. Has anybody else taken this option, if so did you get chased for payment or was it just too much hassle for FedEx to try and chase?

I know UPS and other couriers hold onto the goods until they receive payment, was this just an oversight on FedEx's part in this instance, or do they always work like this?

(I used to work importing and exporting aircraft parts and am fully aware of the charges which are levied by HMRC, when the couriers then charge the customer it is just a licence to print money for themselves.)

 

[Sgt GrizZ]

Yep. Ignore. I had it happen to me a few months back. Had a letter saying if I didnt pay up then the parcel wouldn't be released to me ......... even though the courier had just given it to me days before Haven't heard a thing about it since.

 

[astyy]

My experience of DHL was similar, goods are delivered and then an invoice later for the VAT + £10 admin fee.

 

[Paul]

I had an order Via DHL a few weeks ago from China.

Payable : £4.47

Because the amount had been declared up front (all be it reduced!), I was advised early via Email, and paid the charge up front, early - no delays in delivery!

Interestingly - No "admin" charges!

Interestingly, I use DHL in work to ship bits all around the world. The only places i have ever had issues with are Russia (and ex-russian countries) - where a broker is needed to clear on behalf of the recipient - most discussions i guess which are taken place down the pub and involve the passing of used bills....

 

[Sam C]

If they've given it to you what can they do? Break into your house and take it back?

Like you say HMRC will hammer you on import (everything I've ordered from the states has a varying import fee). But how can the company demand money AFTER they have delivered the package? Absurd!

 

[Wizcat]

Yep, I did exactly the same with FedEx as mentioned here: http://www.pinballinfo.com/community/threads/import-duty.10687/#post-54837

Don't think it's wise to try and dodge the import duty (basically the VAT), but the 'admin' charges are very debateable

 

[Dave Bishop]

Pay the import charge and not fed ex admin.
I got letters and then eventually a bailiff company sent me a letter!