Customs fee and Admin' charge

Sneaker

Hi,

I’ve been tracking some shoes from the States, they’re now with Customs. I expect to have to pay fees but the last few times Parcel Force/Post Office have put an admin fee (£16 if I remember rightly).

Do I have to pay the admin fee? I am sure I read that you could refuse to pay the admin’ fee as you did not ask them to pay the charges for you.

Any advice please?

Thanks

Mikeyorks

If you don't pay the handling (not admin) charge - you won't get the goods if it's ParcelForce. This from HMRC :

If duty and/or tax is payable, Royal Mail/Parcelforce will pay this to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on your behalf, and charge a handling fee to cover:

• operating the postal customs depot
• handling the package for customs examination
• opening, repacking and resealing the package if required
• paying the charges to HMRC on your behalf

Note that if there is no duty and/or tax to pay, you won't be charged a handling fee.
They'll write to you letting you know how much you need to pay, and the available payment methods. The customs charges and handling fee are itemised separately on the charge label.

molerat

It could be argued that they are holding your mail until a debt is paid which may be considered illegal. I don't believe this has been argued in court though. You could try arguing this with them but how long do you want to wait for your parcel ?

Mikeyorks

molerat wrote: »

It could be argued that they are holding your mail until a debt is paid which may be considered illegal.

Royal Mail do similar if there's a surcharge on a letter .... and I've never seen that challenged? As ParcelForce (or similar) have paid the duty/ import tax / VAT etc to Customs ..... that seems far more justifiable?

molerat

I believe a few individuals have challenged them on the fees and they have caved in, I don't think RM / PF want it to go to court as it could prove messy.