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

Scarpacci

Mithos wrote: »

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.

Royal Mail add their handling fee on top too, so I don't see how they're better. As for not charging you up front, what difference does it make if one is (as one should be) expecting the custom fees anyway?

I would prefer to get my package delivered first and not have it stuck at a depot somewhere while they post a notification out or phone me up to tell me that I owe them money - or perhaps just keep the parcel until I wonder where it is.

It's okay for Royal Mail, who can pop a card through your door without going much out of their way, but a courier going to places they wouldn't otherwise go to drop off a customs note? They would probably just post a letter instead, adding a few days to the delivery time.

Mithos wrote: »

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.

If it's not about the amount, why should we suppose FedEx increase it to £50? And why is it unethical for FedEx to add a handling fee, but not for Royal Mail?

If you're receiving packages from abroad, it's up to you to have an idea about what fees to expect before ordering or before the sender ships it.

arcon5

We could of course think of it as interest free credit

custardy

Mithos wrote: »

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/

then do your own clearence
if not,don't be surprised at having to pay for someone else for doing it for you.

sekrapa

When the person send a parcel via FedEx, on the waybill they mark who pays import duties at the delivery destination. Most people mark the receiver pays all import duties and taxes. They sign the waybill and the contract has been struck.

When it gets delivered, FedEx will pay the import duties, VAT, handling etc, on your behalf so that you get the items as quickly as possible and will send a bill a few weeks later. Unfortunately, you can not avoid VAT and import duties, they must be paid. It is surprising how duties start adding up.

Just imported some plastic parts from USA, material cost $550 on a pallet, an extra $500 to fly to the nearest airport in UK, and then £420 in import duties, VAT, handling, customs clearance, storage etc. It amazes me the extra costs involved in taxes.

MothballsWallet

fluffnutter wrote: »

Who exactly do you owe money to? If it's Fedex, you could try ignoring them. If it's HMRC, pay up! They shoot people who don't pay taxes, you know.

Unless you're Sir Philip Green or Vodafone - in those cases, they pay you :rotfl:

ath123

I am surprised at people complaining about having to pay an appalling amount of 'random taxation' on a money saving forum.
I have had incidents with all the above companies on many differing occasions.

Firstly, my son returned my scarf (he lives in New York), that I had left behind whilst visiting him in NY. Fedex charged me £240 duty, on behalf of HMRC (£220 being their charge). My son had mistakenly put a value of £600 on it, even though it was worth half of this amount.

Then in March 2012, he sent his old iPad2 back home for safe-keeping (he intends to return to the UK, from his studies in 2014) and also so his 11yr old sister could use it in the meantime; via UPS; who charged me (£150 of which £155 belonged to HMRC).

He then sent me, in Oct 2012 some copies of his wedding photographs (that the family had all attended in Spain in July). I was charged by UPS £26.52, (of which £13.21 was HMRC'c charge).

All of these charges were wrong and all have been returned to me after writing to HMRC (using form C285, which you can get via google).
Unfortunately the 'Admin charges' from the above companies has not been returned and I am amazed that they get away with charging on parcels clearly labelled as what they are (how are photographs taxable? Not to mention personal items being returned home).

These companies do not appear to read the labels, rather just collect the taxes and the 'very convenient' and overpriced 'admin fee' and rely on the majority to pay up and shut up, just to receive a parcel.

I am disappointed that there is little recourse for the individual. Even after HMRC has admitted the charges were wrong, the parcel companies insist on keeping the 'admin fee'. It is a nice little scam that the parcel companies are running. Charge them all, whatever the contents and we keep the fee and leave HMRC to settle the rest. Is there anyone willing to take this further?

As for the people making inane comments such as just 'just pay up'
and envious snide remarks about some people finding things cheaper. Really, why do you berate people for trying to save money on a money saving site?

No-one pays taxes willingly, whatever the reason. This is a very sneaky way for companies to collect a small windfall on EVERY parcel into the UK and leave the hassle of administration to the government. That must've been a great meeting ... here's a way we can all increase our takings ;-)

and yes! I am a firm believer in taxation where it's due, but surely for family members living abroad. They should be able to send your / or their own items back home free of cost. As for items like photographs, I fail entirely to see how taxation on such items is even warranted or meaningful?

custardy

ath123 wrote: »

I am surprised at people complaining about having to pay an appalling amount of 'random taxation' on a money saving forum.
I have had incidents with all the above companies on many differing occasions.

Firstly, my son returned my scarf (he lives in New York), that I had left behind whilst visiting him in NY. Fedex charged me £240 duty, on behalf of HMRC (£220 being their charge). My son had mistakenly put a value of £600 on it, even though it was worth half of this amount.

Then in March 2012, he sent his old iPad2 back home for safe-keeping (he intends to return to the UK, from his studies in 2014) and also so his 11yr old sister could use it in the meantime; via UPS; who charged me (£150 of which £155 belonged to HMRC).

He then sent me, in Oct 2012 some copies of his wedding photographs (that the family had all attended in Spain in July). I was charged by UPS £26.52, (of which £13.21 was HMRC'c charge).

All of these charges were wrong and all have been returned to me after writing to HMRC (using form C285, which you can get via google).
Unfortunately the 'Admin charges' from the above companies has not been returned and I am amazed that they get away with charging on parcels clearly labelled as what they are (how are photographs taxable? Not to mention personal items being returned home).

These companies do not appear to read the labels, rather just collect the taxes and the 'very convenient' and overpriced 'admin fee' and rely on the majority to pay up and shut up, just to receive a parcel.

I am disappointed that there is little recourse for the individual. Even after HMRC has admitted the charges were wrong, the parcel companies insist on keeping the 'admin fee'. It is a nice little scam that the parcel companies are running. Charge them all, whatever the contents and we keep the fee and leave HMRC to settle the rest. Is there anyone willing to take this further?

As for the people making inane comments such as just 'just pay up'
and envious snide remarks about some people finding things cheaper. Really, why do you berate people for trying to save money on a money saving site?

No-one pays taxes willingly, whatever the reason. This is a very sneaky way for companies to collect a small windfall on EVERY parcel into the UK and leave the hassle of administration to the government. That must've been a great meeting ... here's a way we can all increase our takings ;-)

and yes! I am a firm believer in taxation where it's due, but surely for family members living abroad. They should be able to send your / or their own items back home free of cost. As for items like photographs, I fail entirely to see how taxation on such items is even warranted or meaningful?

well it seems you havent learned yet
you are having items sent by family members
in no great hurry,yet arent doing your own clearance for free.
why not?

Flyboy152

ath123 wrote: »

I am surprised at people complaining about having to pay an appalling amount of 'random taxation' on a money saving forum.
I have had incidents with all the above companies on many differing occasions.

Firstly, my son returned my scarf (he lives in New York), that I had left behind whilst visiting him in NY. Fedex charged me £240 duty, on behalf of HMRC (£220 being their charge). My son had mistakenly put a value of £600 on it, even though it was worth half of this amount.

Then in March 2012, he sent his old iPad2 back home for safe-keeping (he intends to return to the UK, from his studies in 2014) and also so his 11yr old sister could use it in the meantime; via UPS; who charged me (£150 of which £155 belonged to HMRC).

He then sent me, in Oct 2012 some copies of his wedding photographs (that the family had all attended in Spain in July). I was charged by UPS £26.52, (of which £13.21 was HMRC'c charge).

All of these charges were wrong and all have been returned to me after writing to HMRC (using form C285, which you can get via google).
Unfortunately the 'Admin charges' from the above companies has not been returned and I am amazed that they get away with charging on parcels clearly labelled as what they are (how are photographs taxable? Not to mention personal items being returned home).

These companies do not appear to read the labels, rather just collect the taxes and the 'very convenient' and overpriced 'admin fee' and rely on the majority to pay up and shut up, just to receive a parcel.

I am disappointed that there is little recourse for the individual. Even after HMRC has admitted the charges were wrong, the parcel companies insist on keeping the 'admin fee'. It is a nice little scam that the parcel companies are running. Charge them all, whatever the contents and we keep the fee and leave HMRC to settle the rest. Is there anyone willing to take this further?

As for the people making inane comments such as just 'just pay up'
and envious snide remarks about some people finding things cheaper. Really, why do you berate people for trying to save money on a money saving site?

No-one pays taxes willingly, whatever the reason. This is a very sneaky way for companies to collect a small windfall on EVERY parcel into the UK and leave the hassle of administration to the government. That must've been a great meeting ... here's a way we can all increase our takings ;-)

and yes! I am a firm believer in taxation where it's due, but surely for family members living abroad. They should be able to send your / or their own items back home free of cost. As for items like photographs, I fail entirely to see how taxation on such items is even warranted or meaningful?

It may not be the popular view, but anyone daft enough to pay three hundred pounds for a scarf deserves to get ripped off.

pulliptears

Flyboy152 wrote: »

It may not be the popular view, but anyone daft enough to pay three hundred pounds for a scarf deserves to get ripped off.

Right....

So anyone who's worked hard, probably all of their lives to fund a lifestyle where they can treat themselves to a few luxuries here and there deserves to be ripped off then?

I've read some crap on here but that is probably the best of it.

Slowhand

Flyboy152 wrote: »

It may not be the popular view, but anyone daft enough to pay three hundred pounds for a scarf deserves to get ripped off.

Oh the irony of you saying anyone is daft!