Fedex trying to claim import duty for returned goods

aidanbree

My fianc!e ordered me a wedding ring from Diamonds International. It was shipped from the US however when it arrived, it looked very different to the online picture. The ring was duly returned and a refund provided.

A few months later I got a letter from Fedex asking me to pay the duty. I sent an email to them stating that it had been returned. They have continued to send me letters periodically and I have sent emails in return explaining that it has been sent back.

They have recently sent me to Final demand letters (even though it was paid for my my fiancee). They are threatening to send it to a debt recovery agency. This, I cannot understand as I never entered any credit agreement with them!

Anyone got any advice? Should I just ignore them?

Cheers

Aidan

visidigi

You should not ignore the letters you have recevied - its the same as ANY services company - they won't give up if that's what you're hoping...

The issue here is that FedEx clear the goods for you in order for you to receive goods within 48hrs of sending from the US - therefore you would have had to pay this in any circumstance, DHL, UPS, Royal Mail (the latter or which would have hit you for a £15 'processing fee' - the difference is RM would have held the package till you paid it in advance.).

The issue here is FedEx have provided its service and have paid the money, so they won't just get your mail and go 'oh thats okay then' - they are out of pocket and will need to be paid. Its not them at fault here and its not them you would have to take this up with, its Customs - but bear in mind re-assessment of individual cases is not cheap - I beleive its £50+ VAT just for them to reassess it - you would also need all return documentation to prove the export occured.

The important thing to remember here, FedEx has provided its service and needs to be paid - unfortunately the way customs work is your problem here in regards to the fact you returned it.

custardy

visidigi wrote: »

You should not ignore the letters you have recevied - its the same as ANY services company - they won't give up if that's what you're hoping...

The issue here is that FedEx clear the goods for you in order for you to receive goods within 48hrs of sending from the US - therefore you would have had to pay this in any circumstance, DHL, UPS, Royal Mail (the latter or which would have hit you for a £15 'processing fee' - the difference is RM would have held the package till you paid it in advance.).

The issue here is FedEx have provided its service and have paid the money, so they won't just get your mail and go 'oh thats okay then' - they are out of pocket and will need to be paid. Its not them at fault here and its not them you would have to take this up with, its Customs - but bear in mind re-assessment of individual cases is not cheap - I beleive its £50+ VAT just for them to reassess it - you would also need all return documentation to prove the export occured.

The important thing to remember here, FedEx has provided its service and needs to be paid - unfortunately the way customs work is your problem here in regards to the fact you returned it.

no,that would have been £8

visidigi

no, thats £8 for Royal Mail - Express US inbound is routed through ParcelForce, which is a £15 fee (all my US shopping comes in express and PF hit each shipment with the charge)

custardy

visidigi wrote: »

no, thats £8 for Royal Mail - Express US inbound is routed through ParcelForce, which is a £15 fee (all my US shopping comes in express and PF hit each shipment with the charge...

which isnt Royal Mail then
PF charge £8 or £16 dep[ending on the service used

visidigi

It is Royal Mail - Royal Mail are the contracted company by the USPS - its passed from Royal Mail to PF at the national RM hub at Siskin Park, Coventry - officially USPS contract is with RM and they chose PF as the delivery agent - if its £16 now that means its gone up in the last few months, so on that point I stand corrected.

custardy

visidigi wrote: »

It is Royal Mail - Royal Mail are the contracted company by the USPS - its passed from Royal Mail to PF at the national RM hub at Siskin Park, Coventry - officially USPS contract is with RM and they chose PF as the delivery agent - if its £16 now that means its gone up in the last few months, so on that point I stand corrected.

sigh,so you state RM charge £15
so anyone reading the thread would assume RM charge that
they dont,its parcelforce that does
it doesnt matter how it gets to PF,thats who is charging
if its coming via RM its £8

visidigi

oh ok if you must sigh - be pedantic. www.royalmailgroup.com one and the same...in anycase,this thread isn't about who owns what, its about a duties payment...

custardy

visidigi wrote: »

oh ok if you must sigh - be pedantic. www.royalmailgroup.com one and the same...in anycase,this thread isn't about who owns what, its about a duties payment...

RM group also covers the Post Office
what do they charge for customs?
If you state a fact then be prepared for it to be corrected if its wrong
you stated what RM charge,that is not what RM charge
its what Parcelforce charge
its not about pedantry,its about making sure people understand what costs are applicable in what situation

isplumm

Hi,

I am confused by this - what contract did the OP have with FedEx? Did he sign something on pick up? When he bought the goods was there anything on the webpage about this - maybe in t&cs?

Mark

custardy

isplumm wrote: »

Hi,

I am confused by this - what contract did the OP have with FedEx? Did he sign something on pick up? When he bought the goods was there anything on the webpage about this - maybe in t&cs?

Mark

well when the OP ordered they were no doubt told they were responsible for an duties due
I have no idea how it falls when they dont have the goods
TBH I think a call/email to HMRC would be a better idea