Frightening import charge on low value item.

Pippin04

I would be very grateful for any advice. Just over 1 month ago (10th May) I purchased a generic food blender and spare jug online from Ali Express. I couldn't afford a secondhand Vitamix and this came recommended by other buyers on Youtube. It was very reasonable and tested well in reviews, so I purchased online. The item cost $108.46 USD (approx £81.04 GBP) all in and had free shipping via TNT from the seller on Ali Express.

I have not imported very often - only about 3 times before, and each time received notification of import fees prior to receiving the item. Each seemed fair and relative in comparison to the value of the item.

I currently feel completely sick! A bill for £619.13 has just dropped on my mat from TNT! I can't understand how an item worth £81.04 justifies an import bill of £619.13.

The bill and paperwork makes no sense to me, but the breakdown was as follows:

£584.09 VT (VAT Type)
£29.20 DPF (Deferment Proc Fee)
£613.29 NET (Net Charge)

I would be very grateful for any help in the best course of action.

Thanks in advance.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Pippin04 wrote: »

I would be very grateful for any advice. Just over 1 month ago (10th May) I purchased a generic food blender and spare jug online from Ali Express. I couldn't afford a secondhand Vitamix and this came recommended by other buyers on Youtube. It was very reasonable and tested well in reviews, so I purchased online. The item cost $108.46 USD (approx £81.04 GBP) all in and had free shipping via TNT from the seller on Ali Express.

I have not imported very often - only about 3 times before, and each time received notification of import fees prior to receiving the item. Each seemed fair and relative in comparison to the value of the item.

I currently feel completely sick! A bill for £619.13 has just dropped on my mat from TNT! I can't understand how an item worth £81.04 justifies an import bill of £619.13.

The bill and paperwork makes no sense to me, but the breakdown was as follows:

£584.09 VT (VAT Type)
£29.20 DPF (Deferment Proc Fee)
£613.29 NET (Net Charge)

I would be very grateful for any help in the best course of action.

Thanks in advance.

I have looked at amazon uk and some blenders there are priced at £4,000. Unless you enlighten us to the model of your blender, no one can assess whither the charge is correct. On reading your post, it could be seen that the blender actual valuation is around £2,900? The XL Vitamix is around £4,000. perhaps the taxman got it right?

marliepanda

You bought from AliExpress which is Chinese (or some other eastern asian country) website, so the currency will be different.

Im assuming they have either taken the amount as GBP/$$ OR there has been a currency conversion error.

Your customs should be around £16 + charges.

Pippin04

Thanks for your reply. No it isn't a Vitamix, it's basically a cheap generic imitation. I am not allowed to post a link as I am seen as a new user, but on aliexpress.com the title of the item is: BPA Free 3HP 2200W Heavy Duty Commercial Grade Blender Mixer Juicer High Power Food Processor Ice Smoothie Bar Fruit Blender.

Thanks.

DoaM

There are too many options. Please post the link without the https://www. part and you should be able to post it. (Or post the full link but change http to hxxp).

Pippin04

marliepanda wrote: »

You bought from AliExpress which is Chinese (or some other eastern asian country) website, so the currency will be different.

Im assuming they have either taken the amount as GBP/$$ OR there has been a currency conversion error.

Your customs should be around £16 + charges.

Hi, Thanks for answering. All the transaction fees were in USD during purchase. On the TNT bill there is a mixture of both in various sections, but the final amount clearly states GBP.

Pippin04

Sorry, the system will not allow it even with the entire aliexpress domain removed. I have also tried to link to the image but I am not allowed to do that either - the seller is Orgamix, and the image is of two tall blenders one red and one white slightly offset infront of each other ... can't think how else to do it.

glentoran99

this the one


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/BPA-Free-3HP-2200W-Heavy-Duty-Commercial-Grade-Blender-Mixer-Juicer-High-Power-Food-Processor-Ice/32836602527.html?spm=2114.search0104.6.8.33e11d34JyvNqI&s=p

Pippin04

Yes, thanks so much!

dj1471

Was the value correctly declared on the package and invoice?

Does the item happen to have Vitamix branding on it?

Either the value was incorrectly declared or HMRC have inspected the package and decided that the declared value is wrong.

There's a form to dispute VAT/duty at the bottom of this page:
https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

V_Harte

A few weeks ago my daughter bought a pair of trouser for around £38 from an american website. The website stipulated what the delivery costs were for international delivery which she paid and was approx an extra £10. However, she received an email asking for an extra £15 for import duty. She was not told she had to pay this and it is not stated anywhere on the sellers website anywhere. She has explained this to them but they will not do anything about it and won't cancel her order nor refund her £38. Does anyone have any experience of this and can offer advice? Despite being an american website is there some clause in the consumer rights act 2015 that will cover her, particulalry for the lack of detail on the sellers website or is it a case of paying the extra £15 import duty. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks