FedEx are bullies - do I have rights against "custom charges" after the fact?

Freddie_Snowbits

TimothyEBaldwin wrote: »

But the OP has no contract with FedEx, so they have no right to demand money off them. FedEx may be able to recover the money from the sender.

Such Sound advise, but I am afraid it is ABSOLUTE CODSWALLOP.

omen666

If she had sent it by parcelforce you wouldnt have got your stuff until you stumped up the money. Get it paid and learn a lesson

Oopsadaisy

Some people are so ungrateful.

vikingaero

This happens all the time with parcel deliveries whether RM, Parcelforce or any other private carrier using pre-pay or post-pay for the customs charges.
I don't know why they bother. If I were in charge I'd send them one call or email to let them decide and if they refuse kick the item back to the sender. It's not the carriers fault that there are customs charges, it's the stupid sender.

lew99

There seems to be a misunderstanding on what the charges are and who is imposing them. If it stemmed from a Fedex additional charge, you may have some gripe.

However as these are customs charges (eg import duty and / or VAT) being levied by HMRC, you do unfortunately have to pay them. It doesn't make any difference whether a parcel is sent by Fedex, another courier, or by standard mail. Customs have the right to inspect parcels coming into the country, and apply the appropriate import charges (duties and VAT). All that has happened is that to help you Fedex have first settled this with HMRC, to get the parcel through customs so it could be delivered to you, and are now asking for the costs from you.

You are not alone in this, seems quite a few people get caught out, but whether ordering something from a foreign website or receiving a gift from family, there are customs rules in place as to what charges may be applied at the import end. Not quite your case, but people often like the look of the price of a product from a foreign country, forgetting that the UK comparison price includes VAT etc while the foreign one doesn't.

In this case it is unfair to criticise Fedex, as they are only operating correctly.

If you do not agree with the customs charge, you actually need to take the matter up directly with HMRC, and argue to them that they wrongly imposed a charge.

While it may be little consolation to you, hope at least that your situation can highlight to a few more people that they should be aware of customs charges (duties and VAT) that may be due on imported parcels.

giraffe69

hope at least that your situation can highlight to a few more people that they should be aware of customs charges (duties and VAT) that may be due on imported parcels.

Hopefully some of those who gloat how cheaply they got it whilst you (the mug) paid UK prices.

deanos

Your mum put the value on the parcel of $150 so customs is payable as its over the £36 limit for gifts

bjohnson

This is the problem with using carriers such as Fedex. In my experience if you use normal mail then they often cannot be bothered to collect the import duty. Most of the time they are just as quick as other carriers, especially from the US.

Mithos

I know this thread is old, but they still do it. Happened to a friend recently and myself some years ago. Never use this company again.

It's fine paying custom charges because that's the law. The problem is FedEx deliver the item for you, then hound you AFTER for the custom charge and their own fee on top.

The others are far better, including Royal Mail. They advise you a parcel is waiting and if you want it you have to pay up. There you have a choice, the fee's are very clearly outlined from the start.

Suppose FedEx increased their "handling" fee up to £50 a time, there would be total outrage as you feel compelled to pay, as they chase you and threaten legal action if you don't.

It's all about principle, not the actual cost of the "fee". To me it's totally unethical.

This from the their own website TaC:

Duties and Taxes
Duties and Taxes are not included in the export rates and will be billed to the recipient unless otherwise requested by the shipper. An advancement fee may be charged.

If the recipient refuses to pay, the sender shall be ultimately responsible for the payment of all Duties and Taxes


The use of legal threats is wrong wrong wrong, as they will never actually carry through, instead billing the original sender.


This website is good as well:

http://www.craig-west.co.uk/2008/11/how_to_beat_unlawful_admin_charges_by_fedex/

arcon5

Mithos wrote: »

It's fine paying custom charges because that's the law. The problem is FedEx deliver the item for you, then hound you AFTER for the custom charge and their own fee on top.

The others are far better, including Royal Mail. They advise you a parcel is waiting and if you want it you have to pay up. There you have a choice, the fee's are very clearly outlined from the start.

Well FedEx aren't operating as a courier for nothing, they are in business to make money - why shouldn't they at least cover their costs for clearing the parcel.

You don't have to allow them to do so, you an clear it yourself - more info on the HMRC website.

Suppose FedEx increased their "handling" fee up to £50 a time, there would be total outrage as you feel compelled to pay, as they chase you and threaten legal action if you don't.

It's all about principle, not the actual cost of the "fee". To me it's totally unethical.

But they are not charging £50.


As above, why's it unethical for them wanting to cover their costs for clearing your parcel because you have chosen not to?

The use of legal threats is wrong wrong wrong, as they will never actually carry through, instead billing the original sender.


This website is good as well:

http://www.craig-west.co.uk/2008/11/how_to_beat_unlawful_admin_charges_by_fedex/

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Good. Somebody has to pay it, whether its the sender or recipient or the rest of us in higher prices.