Refusing Package from Overseas - Charges?

wdw2003

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum, but here goes.

I ordered an item from the US, factoring in the cost of duty, VAT etc. To cut a long story short, they've emailed to say that the package has now cleared UK customs, but that I need to refuse it as they've enclosed the wrong item. I'll be getting a refund as I'm cancelling the order.

If I refuse to accept delivery, will the customs and processing fees be cancelled, or will I need to pay that before the package is sent back to the US? I don't expect to get the refund until the package is received back in the US, so I hope that goes quickly and smoothly.

withabix

You need to tell the supplier that you want the refund immediately as it is their fault.

If you then get hit with a customs charge (because you probably will even if you refuse the parcel), you hold the parcel until the supplier has paid you that as well, otherwise you will be out of pocket.

Then you tell the supplier to arrange for the parcel to be collected.

wdw2003

Thanks withabix. I've told the supplier about the customs issue, but not heard back. The trouble is that I'm not sure what I can do other than stamp my feet and count on them kindly refunding all the money at a time that suits them.

visidigi

It will need to be resubmitted to customs for the duties and taxes to be removed - depending on the carrier depends on how the return will be processed - was it shipped via courier? If it was the shipper should be able to instigate a return through the courier themselves and also accept to pay the submission fee for Customs reconsideration or the duties themselves.

Returning under Royal Mail might be harder - can't advise you on how the non payment of duties will work with them as the shipper contracted USPS if its come in Royal Mail.

Hintza

Last thing you want to do is accept the parcel. As your seller suggests refuse delivery. It might pay to be proactive and call the courier to tell them.

If you accept delivery it will just be a nightmare. As visidigi says it will all depend on the courier.

aldredd

What happens if you just refuse to pay the customs charge? Will they return to sender, or dispose of it?

visidigi

depends, if its a courier the courier may be able to seek refund from Customs as its not been delivered to recipient and is therefore returned unchanged.

If its royal mail then it will depend on what has been itemised on the package itself as to the return or disposal terms.

I think the important thing to remember here is that the OP's contract is with the company they bought from - not the carrier handling the freight at this point.

wdw2003

I spoke to Royal Mail as it was was sent USPS. They said I need to refuse delivery once I get the card, then it would get sent back to customs and eventually back to the supplier. RM said I wouldn't pay anything at all if I refuse delivery, which seems very decent of them considering they've done what was expected of them.

The next problem will be to get the money back from the supplier, despite them getting my cash 2 months ago and me getting nothing but empty promises, the wrong bl**din' package, all this hassle and now nothing to show for it.

unholyangel

wdw2003 wrote: »

I spoke to Royal Mail as it was was sent USPS. They said I need to refuse delivery once I get the card, then it would get sent back to customs and eventually back to the supplier. RM said I wouldn't pay anything at all if I refuse delivery, which seems very decent of them considering they've done what was expected of them.

The next problem will be to get the money back from the supplier, despite them getting my cash 2 months ago and me getting nothing but empty promises, the wrong bl**din' package, all this hassle and now nothing to show for it.

I imagine if the delivery company weren't able to reclaim the charges, you would still be asked to pay, so not quite sure i would class it as good of them. Otherwise whats to stop someone/a company from overseas sending you lots of mail and you being charged for it regardless whether you wanted it or not?

As for the company making mistakes. On the bright side, they've contacted you and made you aware of the mistake. If they hadnt noticed then you'd be sitting with the wrong package minus custom fee's I do hope whatever you ordered is worth the hassle though!

wdw2003

Unholyangel, I'll just wait and see what happens once I get the card and refuse delivery. With hindsight, it wasn't worth the hassle, but if they'd delivered what I wanted when they claimed they would, then I would have been happy enough.

I've just received an email from the supplier claiming to have processed the refund and confirming that they'll refund any fees paid at this end, so hopefully things will work out in the end.

wdw2003

Update - received the card from Parcelforce, phoned them and they said that they need to wait 21 days from original receipt before returning the parcel to the sender. I won't be charged anything. Even though I said I didn't want it, they said they still need to wait the 21 days.