TNT asking import duties 1 month after delivering monitor

zsero

I bought an LCD panel on eBay from Australia. The panel was priced 45 AUD but the shipping was quite expensive, 29.89 GBP.

I recieved the panel a month ago and I was happy that the customs didn't stop it.

But what happened today? I received a letter from TNT International, where they are asking me to pay 31 pounds for import duties. 13 for VAT and 15 + VAT for handling charges.

Is it normal that they can just send you an invoice 1 month after the delivery? They have included all the customs documents, but still, after delivering the good?

I made no contract with TNT, all I did was received the item a month ago, so I don't understand why should I pay these charges to them.

F&L

This is quite normal, many couriers collect the fees after they've delivered the item (not the Royal Mail though). I've been told that if you refuse to pay they can't make you as your contract isn't with them and they then eventually claim from the sender. However I don't know if this is correct but I have friends who say it's true.

custardy

zsero wrote: »

I bought an LCD panel on eBay from Australia. The panel was priced 45 AUD but the shipping was quite expensive, 29.89 GBP.

I recieved the panel a month ago and I was happy that the customs didn't stop it.

But what happened today? I received a letter from TNT International, where they are asking me to pay 31 pounds for import duties. 13 for VAT and 15 + VAT for handling charges.

Is it normal that they can just send you an invoice 1 month after the delivery? They have included all the customs documents, but still, after delivering the good?

I made no contract with TNT, all I did was received the item a month ago, so I don't understand why should I pay these charges to them.

will you be informing HMRC you aren't due any duty too?

marleyboy

As the item is already in your possession, I would tell them to keep whistling for it.

zsero

custardy wrote: »

will you be informing HMRC you aren't due any duty too?

HMRC has nothing to do with me in this, TNT has already paid them.

I don't know what to do, but I'll probably pay them.

patman99

All you need to pay is the £31 import fee. The rest they can go whistle for. There was a good post a while back about Royal Mail adding-on admin fees.

zsero

Do you mean 13?

It is 13 for VAT and
15 + 3 = 18 for handling fee.

They are asking 31 = 13 + 18

custardy

patman99 wrote: »

All you need to pay is the £31 import fee. The rest they can go whistle for. There was a good post a while back about Royal Mail adding-on admin fees.

what was good about it?

patman99

My bad, yes, just the £13.

If I remember correctly, the post was about a lady who refused to pay the admin fee when she went to collect her parcel from the RM depot. Having paid just the fee, RM refused to hand-over the parcel. The lady phoned the Police who sent an officer down to arrest the RM employee for withholding mail. RM very quickly handed the parcel over.
Whilst the law states the import duty has to be paid, there is no provision for the addition of any VAT or handling fees.
In fact, the OP could look on HMRCs website to see how much duty he owes.

custardy

patman99 wrote: »

My bad, yes, just the £13.

If I remember correctly, the post was about a lady who refused to pay the admin fee when she went to collect her parcel from the RM depot. Having paid just the fee, RM refused to hand-over the parcel. The lady phoned the Police who sent an officer down to arrest the RM employee for withholding mail. RM very quickly handed the parcel over.
Whilst the law states the import duty has to be paid, there is no provision for the addition of any VAT or handling fees.
In fact, the OP could look on HMRCs website to see how much duty he owes.

well im afraid there is
the postal services act was amended to clarify this.
Also,are you now saying HMRC cannot charge VAT?

As for looking at the HRC site.
what does that prove
As i am constantly saying.
If people don't want to pay fees then do your own clearence.
however this has to be arranged before the items hit UK customs