FedEx import duty charges

moomaloo

This might be an interesting one...

A few weeks ago I received a package delivered to my work address from the US. Someone signed for it in my absence and it turns out that this was a parcel of used CDs which someone I had recently corresponded with on a music forum had decided to send me as a gift. I do not know the sender.

Although this was very nice of him, I did not request this package, nor do I actually want it.

Ever since then FedEx have been pestering me for payment of so-called import duty and 'handling costs'.

In my opinion this is unsolicited goods and I have repeatedly asked them to collect the package. They will not do so and insist that I am liable for their charges.

I disagree and although the charges are relatively small (approximately £35) I am inclined to fight this to my dying breath!

Has anyone experienced a similar problem?

How can I be liable for charges for a package that I have not requested and do not want?

Thanks.

InsideInsurance

If you exported the CDs back to the sender you would then be able reclaim the import duty and VAT (though obviously not the handling charge).

The fact it is unwanted is nothing to do with FedEx and you really should consider what you are telling to strangers on forums if they start sending you unwanted "gifts"

visidigi

moomaloo wrote: »

This might be an interesting one...

A few weeks ago I received a package delivered to my work address from the US. Someone signed for it in my absence and it turns out that this was a parcel of used CDs which someone I had recently corresponded with on a music forum had decided to send me as a gift. I do not know the sender.

Although this was very nice of him, I did not request this package, nor do I actually want it.

Ever since then FedEx have been pestering me for payment of so-called import duty and 'handling costs'.

In my opinion this is unsolicited goods and I have repeatedly asked them to collect the package. They will not do so and insist that I am liable for their charges.

I disagree and although the charges are relatively small (approximately £35) I am inclined to fight this to my dying breath!

Has anyone experienced a similar problem?

How can I be liable for charges for a package that I have not requested and do not want?

Thanks.

Unsolicited or not (although if they guy had your work address you must surely have had some indication this would happen?!?) FedEx was contracted to collect and deliver a package, this they did.

If you do not want the goods you will need to export them via trackable means and file your own return of taxes from HMRC.

You wouldn't get a refund of the FedEx administration fee though as they have performed their required obligations.

Word of warning though, being chased as your place of work is not a good situation to be in over £35, given they would pass this debt to debt collectors in due course.

moomaloo

That may be so but I can't control what others decide to do. I'd be interested to see exactly how FedEx go about trying to reclaim these charges.... We'll see.

somethingcorporate

Fedex have no contract with OP so under what grounds can they pursue their fees?

Taxes is a different story but sending them back you should be able to negate that.

visidigi

moomaloo wrote: »

That may be so but I can't control what others decide to do. I'd be interested to see exactly how FedEx go about trying to reclaim these charges.... We'll see.

...and yes you still don't indicate how some random person on a forum had your work address?

They will go to debt collector if they are not paid.

somethingcorporate wrote: »

Fedex have no contract with OP so under what grounds can they pursue their fees?

Taxes is a different story but sending them back you should be able to negate that.

The fee FedEx charges is around £10 or a percentage if above this - that means £25 of this is VAT and duties, there must have been a number of discs, or a significant value placed on the package.

In saying that with couriers the sender tends to be ultimately liable, so you could ask FedEx to collect the taxes from the sender.

Gavin83

Did the sender not mark this down as a gift?

Hintza

Hope your going to inform the sender that their benevolence has been rejected.

InsideInsurance

Gavin83 wrote: »

Did the sender not mark this down as a gift?

Gifts are not exempt from duty and vat, though often for low value gifts they will give their discretion not to apply the due taxes

visidigi

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Gifts are not exempt from duty and vat, though often for low value gifts they will give their discretion not to apply the due taxes

Not true.

Importing to the UK, they must be from and to an individual or family and each person named on the shipment is allowed to get £36 each duty/tax free - any items over £36 per stated recipient will incur duties/and or taxes according to tariff.