Customs Clearance Charges charged after delivery - DHL

Mr_Singleton

custardy wrote: »

Did you pay VAT on your takeaway?
Yes.
So just like the OP except they chose to order from outside the EU and are liable for the VAT on import.

Not talking about VAT or Duty element just the imposition of an additional arbitrary charge.

powerful_Rogue

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

But you failed to answer the basic question.... is it fair/legal to RETROSPECTIVELY add an additional arbitrary charge.

At least Royal Mail give you an option.

Yes it is, because as an importer of goods from outside the EU, you are expected to pay taxes and duties. All the information is available online. If someone doesn't like it, there are clear guides on how to self clear at customs.

custardy

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Not talking about VAT or Duty element just the imposition of an additional arbitrary charge.

Well again we go to the importer.
They made no preparation to pay the VAT they were due by choosing to import.
So the UK government has set the process in place.
Its hardly arbitrary when it can be done by the importer themselves.

Mr_Singleton

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Yes it is, because as an importer of goods from outside the EU, you are expected to pay taxes and duties. All the information is available online.

Correct! I'm 100% happy with that.

The point you can't seem to understand is that should a company be able to retrospectively add a charge on top of above statutory ones?

So if you ordered an item from John Lewis would you be happy to receive an additional bill from the delivery company to cover an administration charge a month after receiving your item?

Mr_Singleton

custardy wrote: »

Its hardly arbitrary when it can be done by the importer themselves.

But it must be as they all charge different amounts Parcelfarce charge 50% more than Royal Mail for instance.

But then again at least RM give you a choice.

custardy

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Correct! I'm 100% happy with that.

The point you can't seem to understand is that should a company be able to retrospectively add a charge on top of above statutory ones?

So if you ordered an item from John Lewis would you be happy to receive an additional bill from the delivery company to cover an administration charge a month after receiving your item?

Ahhh. The usual line.
so if you ordered from outside the EU. Whats the plan to pay the taxes due on import?
Who is doing this administration if you dont feel a fee is appropriate?

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

But it must be as they all charge different amounts Parcelfarce charge 50% more than Royal Mail for instance.

But then again at least RM give you a choice.

Parcelforce charge more as they do an expedited service.

'They' charge when people leave the clearance to them.....

powerful_Rogue

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Correct! I'm 100% happy with that.

The point you can't seem to understand is that should a company be able to retrospectively add a charge on top of above statutory ones?

So if you ordered an item from John Lewis would you be happy to receive an additional bill from the delivery company to cover an administration charge a month after receiving your item?

You're compaing chalk to cheese. I would pay VAT direct to John Lewis in the price who would then pass it onto the Government.

1) You can import goods from outside the EU and the delivery company will liase with HMRC regarding duties/tarriffs - pay this and deliver the item and invoice you for it.

2) You can ask the sender to write "Self Clearance" on the customs declaration and you can liase with customs and then goto the hub and collect it once the duties/tarriffs have been paid.

The choice is simple. Plenty of information online for importers.

scorsagian

Hi,
Not sure if this is any consolation to you but I have had avery similar thing just happen to me as you. Also, I agree with you about DHL taking liberties and paying all these charges plus making up their own mind what to do for me, without my permission.
Despite the opposition here, I could not agree more. I think others need to be in your position to see where you are coming from.
Before ordering a £210 pair of special shoes for people with injuries from the US, I was even assured by the company that sold and made the shoes, there would not be any import taxes into the UK.
The best bit is though. Not sure sure whether to laugh or cry here, after I just refused the delivery, the driver told me I had three days to pay or the goods will be destroyed :rotfl:
I don't blame anyone for having a good chuckle now:rotfl:
Watching this thread with interest as the charges are nearly £100

powerful_Rogue

scorsagian wrote: »

Hi,
Not sure if this is any consolation to you but I have had avery similar thing just happen to me as you. Also, I agree with you about DHL taking liberties and paying all these charges plus making up their own mind what to do for me, without my permission.
Despite the opposition here, I could not agree more. I think others need to be in your position to see where you are coming from.
Before ordering a £210 pair of special shoes for people with injuries from the US, I was even assured by the company that sold and made the shoes, there would not be any import taxes into the UK.
The best bit is though. Not sure sure whether to laugh or cry here, after I just refused the delivery, the driver told me I had three days to pay or the goods will be destroyed :rotfl:
I don't blame anyone for having a good chuckle now:rotfl:
Watching this thread with interest as the charges are nearly £100

1) They do have your permission as you didn't opt to do a self clearance.
2) I have paid the fees many a times on items I have imported. I have been well aware of this before importing, and happy to pay fee so not as to waste my time self clearing.

Aylesbury_Duck

scorsagian wrote: »

I think others need to be in your position to see where you are coming from.

That old chestnut. Whenever people get correct advice but advice they don't like, it's either "if it were you, you'd think differently", or "you must work for company x".

Better to have correct advice than poor advice couched in empathy.