FedEx & unpaid duty tax

Monster03

Hi, I'm not sure if I have posted this in the right bit so please feel free to move it if needed.

I placed a couple of orders with a company in USA in March for items that can be delivered internationally. They arrived in a good space of time. About a week or so later (after each delivery) I received a letter from FedEx to say at I owed money for duty & tax. I realised that I have to pay this, but as usual, I'm completely useless & disorganised when it comes to sorting out paperwork, so I have not paid it yet.

Today I have received letters from a company called Redwood collections stating the amount I owe etc. and that their client is willing to take legal action unless e debt is paid.

So after all my waffling on, my question is..... Would I be best to pay the money owed direct to FedEx (I still have the paperwork) or to the collection company?

custardy

I would pay Fed Ex TBH

shaun_from_Africa

As would I.

However, it may also be worthwhile sending a letter to Redwood collections informing them that you have paid the required debt and that you consider the matter closed.

If you don't do this, there may be some delay in Fedex passing the info on to Redwood who may then contact you again and attempt to increase the money owed due to their administration charges.

paddyrg

Call FedEx, say 'whoops, sorry, here's my credit card number'.

arcon5

Really, what does it matter? So long as the money is paid!!

jawstress

I know this is an old thread I'm resurrecting but I would be interested to know if you paid this?

I have just received the same letter from Redwood collections to my company. My problem with the bill is it relates to some sample products from a potential supplier and no money actually changed hands. Why should I pay duty on something that I didn't even pay for and in the end was of no value to me?

Also, FedEx have a history of trying to charge me more than once for import duty when it's already been paid. Even going to the lengths of sending the invoice to other companies in the same building (I'm located at a University and they once charged me and the university for the same delivery), so it's a point of principal for me really.

Then again, it's probably just not worth the risk of getting a CCJ over an £18 bill.

Anyone know if you can go to court over a disputed £18 (£8 + a £10 FedEx handling fee) import duty bill?

zaax

The duty is calculated on the vaule of the goods not what you think they are worth - pay the duty and VAT

jawstress

Fair enough

zaax wrote: »

The duty is calculated on the vaule of the goods not what you think they are worth - pay the duty and VAT

halibut2209

Then tell the potential supplier that if they want any chance of getting any business from you, then they should reimburse you!

shaun_from_Africa

jawstress wrote: »

My problem with the bill is it relates to some sample products from a potential supplier and no money actually changed hands. Why should I pay duty on something that I didn't even pay for and in the end was of no value to me?

Can the supplied goods actually be used for anything useful?
If you are able to mark the items so that they are clearly samples which can't be resold, then you should be able to import them without paying any duties.

You can find the full requirements for the exemption here:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000061&propertyType=document

jawstress

It was a sample lighting product, so yeah, it could be deemed useful. The supplier did mark sample on the customs form but also a nominal value of £39 and it's this they went off..In future, I'll get any samples marked at £0 value..

Anyway, it's now paid - curious as I was to find out how far they might take it, it just wasn't worth the hassle!