Parcelforce 'Clearance fee'

gordikin

you stand in the naughty corner...RM charges are transparent!

rip_off_2

What puzzles me is I have ordered an expensive item from Canada which has cost $200 can dollars in post and I have factored in import charges etc. It is coming UPS and today as I track it it has been charged (which I expected) but now I am hearing about all these brokerage fees etc. from UPS I have already paid $200 will no doubt have to pay HMRC but just who instructed UPS to pay anything for me?

Surely if they do not have my permission in writing they have acted off their own bat?

No doubt I will be invoiced anyone know what happens if I only pay the part that went to HMRC, can I refuse to pay UPS for something that I did not ask for.

Is it not like leaving your car at Kwik Fit after paying for an MOT but coming back and they have put 4 new tyres on without permission? Then they will threaten you with legal action if you don't pay them for something you did not want or could have sorted yourself with notice?

Anyone refused to pay these handling/brokerage charges? Any tips?

custardy

rip_off wrote: »

What puzzles me is I have ordered an expensive item from Canada which has cost $200 can dollars in post and I have factored in import charges etc. It is coming UPS and today as I track it it has been charged (which I expected) but now I am hearing about all these brokerage fees etc. from UPS I have already paid $200 will no doubt have to pay HMRC but just who instructed UPS to pay anything for me?

Surely if they do not have my permission in writing they have acted off their own bat?

No doubt I will be invoiced anyone know what happens if I only pay the part that went to HMRC, can I refuse to pay UPS for something that I did not ask for.

Is it not like leaving your car at Kwik Fit after paying for an MOT but coming back and they have put 4 new tyres on without permission? Then they will threaten you with legal action if you don't pay them for something you did not want or could have sorted yourself with notice?

Anyone refused to pay these handling/brokerage charges? Any tips?

why didnt you use a service that included brokerage clearence?
I know UPS do it

Neoconair

I am concerned that former employees of Royal Mail are misrepresenting the relevant law to other users on this forum. Here are the relevant points regarding the 'Clearance Fee'.

1. RM 'bundle' their Clearance Fee with the VAT (and, if appropriate, Excise Duty) in order to demand payment of both before the parcel is released. The law clearly states that the parcel may be held as a lien only in respect of the outstanding statutory duties. You are within your rights to offer payment for the statutory duties alone, and demand the release of the parcel. If RM refuse, this is a criminal offence.

2. The legal validity of the 'clearance fee' derives from the Postal Services Act 2000, which allows RM et al to charge a 'reasonable' amount for processing the parcel through Customs. It does NOT state that £8/£13.50 is payable, therefore the charge can be challenged on the grounds that the amount is not proportionate to the costs incurred by RM. By refusing to release the parcel until this fee is paid, RM are unlawfully denying their customers the right to make this challenge.

3. The clearance fee is an enormous 'cash cow' for RM; if it were successfully challenged in court (RM prefer to settle County Court claims) RM would be in even greater financial difficulty. They, and their former employees, will therefore fight vigorously to defend it.

custardy

Neoconair wrote: »

I am concerned that former employees of Royal Mail are misrepresenting the relevant law to other users on this forum. Here are the relevant points regarding the 'Clearance Fee'.

1. RM 'bundle' their Clearance Fee with the VAT (and, if appropriate, Excise Duty) in order to demand payment of both before the parcel is released. The law clearly states that the parcel may be held as a lien only in respect of the outstanding statutory duties. You are within your rights to offer payment for the statutory duties alone, and demand the release of the parcel. If RM refuse, this is a criminal offence.

2. The legal validity of the 'clearance fee' derives from the Postal Services Act 2000, which allows RM et al to charge a 'reasonable' amount for processing the parcel through Customs. It does NOT state that £8/£13.50 is payable, therefore the charge can be challenged on the grounds that the amount is not proportionate to the costs incurred by RM. By refusing to release the parcel until this fee is paid, RM are unlawfully denying their customers the right to make this challenge.

3. The clearance fee is an enormous 'cash cow' for RM; if it were successfully challenged in court (RM prefer to settle County Court claims) RM would be in even greater financial difficulty. They, and their former employees, will therefore fight vigorously to defend it.

why would it matter to former employees?
lets flip it around
how do you think RM should approach it?
why should RM deal with customs fees without charging for it?
leave all packages ar mount pleasant for HMRC to deal with?

Freddie_Snowbits

Neoconair wrote: »

which allows RM et al to charge a 'reasonable' amount for processing the parcel through Customs. It does NOT state that £8/£13.50 is payable

I charge £500 for pointing out pillocks, should MSE pay me?

Are my charges reasonable?

Note, payment is on demand and we sure kick !!! for it

strawberries1

Hello all, I've just received a letter to pay 15.85 vat and 8 quid parcel force clearance fee. The item is clothing made for me by my little sister in Africa and she made it for me as a gift. A friend had brought it to the UK but taken it to the US without delivering it to me when he was in London and he asked his sister to posted it (in the US). The item doesn't even cost as much as 15pds cos she bought the fabric for about 5quid and made it herself. I'm trying to contact the friend who posted it cos I dont understand how come I have to pay more than double the value of the item.
I'll appreciate advice about what to do from someone with knowldege in this area.
Thank you.

custardy

strawberries1 wrote: »

Hello all, I've just received a letter to pay 15.85 vat and 8 quid parcel force clearance fee. The item is clothing made for me by my little sister in Africa and she made it for me as a gift. A friend had brought it to the UK but taken it to the US without delivering it to me when he was in London and he asked his sister to posted it (in the US). The item doesn't even cost as much as 15pds cos she bought the fabric for about 5quid and made it herself. I'm trying to contact the friend who posted it cos I dont understand how come I have to pay more than double the value of the item.
I'll appreciate advice about what to do from someone with knowldege in this area.
Thank you.

contact them using the details in the letter
it shouldnt have any duty

jones87_2

I work in import and I'd just like to add my opinion.

The "brokerage/clearance" fee or whatever you want to call it is standard across the industry.

The courier company (Parcelforce/UPS etc) will have staff clearing your parcels through customs with the necessary paperwork.

I've used TNT who only charge a small £35 or so charge of £3,000 shipments. They would charge the same on a £100 shipment too, it's not proportional.

If they didn't charge the fee, the shipping price would be more expensive.

Stop moaning

strawberries1

custardy wrote: »

contact them using the details in the letter
it shouldnt have any duty

Awesome! I called HMRC and the lovely lady said it happens all the time and I'll get a refund but the slips are on the package which PF is holding on to. I called PF HQ and spoke to the MDs' team and he said they have to cover costs of handling the package with customs and I said I was never told that. The VAT is a statutory charge and I'll pay for it and get my refund when I get the slips but the online payment pages asks for the sum of both charges; it is illegal to hold my parcel to make me pay a fee I knew nothing about and I cld ve paid the VAT directly myself.
He then changed his tune and I've paid the vat now and sld ve the package 2mrw.
Thanks!