Parcelforce holding package hostage

mazza111

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

What if I decide I do not want the parcel?
We will hold your parcel for 20 days after which your parcel will be returned to the sender.

confusedmummy

My aunt says that the documents she was given when she posted the package just declare that it is a "gift" and that the value is under $100. Judging by the comments left on this thread I am going to have to pay initially but how do I go about disputing the charge with HMRC/Parcelforce?

To add; the form says that I am being charged "import VAT" (the customs duty and excise duty are zero) plus the carrier charge from Parcelforce. How can I be charged VAT on childrens clothing and toys that are certainly less than $40 (my aunt is retired and not well off).

texranger

confusedmummy wrote: »

how do I go about disputing the charge with HMRC/Parcelforce?

You have no comeback with HMRC.

when items arrive in the UK, HMRC are at all ports and they will pick on certain containers ( they cant pick on all containers) and they will look and scan parcels and they have the right to open parcels. if they fell extra duty is due they will charge the collector (parcelforce in this case) then as parcelforce have been charged extra now they will then pass this charge onto the recipient

confusedmummy wrote: »

To add; the form says that I am being charged "import VAT" (the customs duty and excise duty are zero) plus the carrier charge from Parcelforce. How can I be charged VAT on childrens clothing and toys that are certainly less than $40 (my aunt is retired and not well off).

no as Parcelforce will be VAT registered it is parcelforce they were charged Import VAT, they will be just informing you what the charge was for (breakdown) If you want the parcel you will have to pay this

childrens clothes are 0 rated but toys are vatable

lovinituk

confusedmummy wrote: »

My aunt says that the documents she was given when she posted the package just declare that it is a "gift" and that the value is under $100.

Sounds like your aunt was given some bad advice. How much did she actually put on the customs declaration? $99 is lower than $100 but is still approx £60 - add the shipping cost to that (the value they use to calculate fees also takes into account the delivery cost!) and its well over the gift limit.

Customs can only go by what is declared by the sender - unless they don't believe it and inspect the contents.

You can write to the Border Agency to dispute the fees but they will require some sort of proof of the actual value. You can either dispute it and wait for a decision, or you can to get the package and then dispute it retrospectively. Even if they do agree to a reduction/refund in fees, it can a take a very long time (2 - 3 months to receive a refund last time I disputed some fees).

confusedmummy

Ok, I just spoke to the guys at customs and they said that I can pay the charge and then dispute it by filling in form BOR286, sending it back to them with a covering letter from my aunt confirming that what she sent was a gift and that the value was less than $20. That way the postage costs which were $40 and the cost of the actual items $20 equals up to less than the import VAT threshold (£40). It is very confusing as it looks like the customs declaration she signed was very faint and that she declared the value at being less than $100. I do not understand how customs have worked out that because she paid $40 in postage and the value of the goods inside are less than $100, that this means they must be worth £40 altogether. Anyway, apparently it takes them weeks to resolve anything and if they do resolve it, I then have to go to Parcelforce to reclaim their charge.

lovinituk

confusedmummy wrote: »

It is very confusing as it looks like the customs declaration she signed was very faint and that she declared the value at being less than $100. I do not understand how customs have worked out that because she paid $40 in postage and the value of the goods inside are less than $100, that this means they must be worth £40 altogether.

But this is what I was getting at in my post above. You can't say "less than $100" on a customs declaration - you have to declare a value. If your aunt did write "less than $100" then I expect UK customs took it as $99 - why would they take it as anything less when its not clear? So $99 + $40 = $139, which is approx £85 and therefore why you were charged.

confusedmummy wrote: »

Anyway, apparently it takes them weeks to resolve anything and if they do resolve it

As I said above, it could take 2 - 3 months based on my experience!

custardy

confusedmummy wrote: »

Ok, I just spoke to the guys at customs and they said that I can pay the charge and then dispute it by filling in form BOR286, sending it back to them with a covering letter from my aunt confirming that what she sent was a gift and that the value was less than $20. That way the postage costs which were $40 and the cost of the actual items $20 equals up to less than the import VAT threshold (£40). It is very confusing as it looks like the customs declaration she signed was very faint and that she declared the value at being less than $100. I do not understand how customs have worked out that because she paid $40 in postage and the value of the goods inside are less than $100, that this means they must be worth £40 altogether. Anyway, apparently it takes them weeks to resolve anything and if they do resolve it, I then have to go to Parcelforce to reclaim their charge.

good luck with that. you forget
Parcelforce have done what they are charging you for