Parcelforce holding package hostage

confusedmummy

I just got a letter from Parcelforce saying that they are keeping hostage a package my aunt sent to my child from the USA unless I pay £26 in import VAT and Parcelforce charges.

This is a gift for a 4 year old's birthday and I don't understand why I would have to pay so much on a gift. Most of the value would have been made up in postal charges sending it from the US. I don't want to dissapoint my lovely auntie but I just cannot afford to pay £26 for a package which might have a few toys in it and a few items of clothing.

I don't know what to do. I know it will get sent back to my auntie if I don't pay but I feel it is so unfair. Why the hell do I need to pay Customs just because my aunt has sent my child a gift? What has it got to do with them???

Also, it is going to cost them (HMRC or Parcelforce) a lot more to send it back to my aunt. How bloody stupid!

RFW

confusedmummy wrote: »

I just got a letter from Parcelforce saying that they are keeping hostage a package my aunt sent to my child from the USA unless I pay £26 in import VAT and Parcelforce charges.

This is a gift for a 4 year old's birthday and I don't understand why I would have to pay so much on a gift. Most of the value would have been made up in postal charges sending it from the US. I don't want to dissapoint my lovely auntie but I just cannot afford to pay £26 for a package which might have a few toys in it and a few items of clothing.

I don't know what to do. I know it will get sent back to my auntie if I don't pay but I feel it is so unfair. Why the hell do I need to pay Customs just because my aunt has sent my child a gift? What has it got to do with them???

Write back to them and explain it is a gift, also contact customs. You may need confirmation from your auntie if the parcel was incorrectly marked.

It is unlikely they will send it back as that would cost them to do, apart from anything else.

I would add that this is not Parcelforce's fault, they merely act upon Customs, so shouting at them won't get you anywhere.

confusedmummy

RFW wrote: »

Write back to them and explain it is a gift, also contact customs. You may need confirmation from your auntie if the parcel was incorrectly marked.

It is unlikely they will send it back as that would cost them to do, apart from anything else.

I would add that this is not Parcelforce's fault, they merely act upon Customs, so shouting at them won't get you anywhere.

I just spoke to UK customs and they said it is between me and Parcelforce and that I need to speak to Parcelforce. They also said that they didn't think Parcelforce would return it to my auntie??? What, so Parcelforce get to keep my son's present? He suggested I speak to Parcelforce and explain that it is a gift.

hermum

It sounds as though your Aunt didn't complete the customs form correctly.

martindow

Do you know the declared value and postage cost so we can see if the charges are an error or not?

I think it will be returned to the sender after a period of time if the fees are not paid using the cheapest service which will be by sea.

mazza111

It really depends on the value of what's inside the parcel as to what you are being charged for. £18 for goods from outside the EU or £40 if it's a gift.

http://www.parcelforce.com/help-information/frequently-asked-questions/customs#3

It will be returned to sender if it's not claimed and paid for.

Sounds like your aunt didn't figure in the duty. Maybe give her a call and ask her the value of the item, chances are it will return to her anyway if you don't pay for it.

Remember not all of this charge will be customs fees but also a handling charge from PF

RFW

mazza111 wrote: »

It really depends on the value of what's inside the parcel as to what you are being charged for. £18 for goods from outside the EU or £40 if it's a gift.

There may also be a difference if it is children's clothing and/or books over toys, the former would carry less duty.

I'm sure someone will know better but I'd be very surprised if it was returned to sender, I'd have thought it would go to auction eventually or sold on with lost and unclaimed property and duty to be paid items. After all Parcelforce (whatever the rights and wrongs of this case) are technically out of pocket if the item isn't paid for, they are unlikely to then have to pay to send it back.

lovinituk

RFW wrote: »

I would add that this is not Parcelforce's fault, they merely act upon Customs, so shouting at them won't get you anywhere.

ParcelForce don't actually have to hold the parcel prior to fees being paid - no other courier service does, they deliver and then invoice for fees afterwards. But thats beside the point.

texranger

parcelforce would of been charged extra in custome fees for this item to enter the UK (unlucky the container with your gift in was the one picked by customs) so parcelforce paid the fee to customs to release the goods, so all parcelforce are after is the extra fee they have been charged. this is normal practice when goods are sent from outside the EU. it would be the same if you posted to your aunt and placed the correct postage and competed the custom form correctly and the package were stopped you aunt would be liable for any custom fees the US authories charged the courier.

some couriers would deliver the item along with an invoice for the extra fee and some would not hand over parcel until its paid

soolin

lovinituk wrote: »

ParcelForce don't actually have to hold the parcel prior to fees being paid - no other courier service does, they deliver and then invoice for fees afterwards. But thats beside the point.

Royal Mail certainly won't deliver without receiving payment first. At least that gives the recipient a chance to refuse a parcel, rather than have it delivered and get the bill a week later.

RFW

lovinituk wrote: »

ParcelForce don't actually have to hold the parcel prior to fees being paid - no other courier service does, they deliver and then invoice for fees afterwards. But thats beside the point.

I was pointing out that it isn't a matter of pleading with Parcelforce, they won't/can't change their minds and waive the fee. I've often chatted to a Parcelforce guy I know who works on their depot, he gets 20+ customers a day shouting at him when they have to pay duty and charges, he pretty much stands there listening and then asks them to pay up or go.