Customs Clearance Charges charged after delivery - DHL

scorsagian

Lol..I didn't ask for any of you couriers advice, just watching this thread with interest. I knew you would pick holes .

powerful_Rogue

scorsagian wrote: »

Lol..I didn't ask for any of you couriers advice,

No idea what that means.

scorsagian wrote: »

just watching this thread with interest. I knew you would pick holes .

It's hardly picking holes when you are being given correct advice.

visidigi

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

Then your issue is with your shipper not with who imported the goods. If they wrote there would be none then they can advise the courier they will pick up the charges applied.

custardy

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

I'm shocked. A company in another country trying to sell you something told you there would be no charges in the UK.

Selector

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

Why did you ask for opinions if you're just going to argue with people who provide them?

You're certain you owe nothing, so pay nothing. Problem solved.

I didn't ask for opinions. I've started a thread in this forum only once before now and quickly realised that it is brimming with opinions. Which isn't terribly useful if what you're after is facts. So, I was careful in my OP to end with;
"Experience-based replies and other knowledgeable contributions most appreciated. Thank you, in advance".
I'm here for knowledgeable advice, not opinions. Unsubstantiated opinions give me nothing to work with.
I'm also not here to argue, but am bound to recount my own experience when a post flies in the face of facts. Also, I will always meet unprovoked rudeness with similar rudeness in return. At least that is all I have done so far.

custardy

Selector wrote: »

I didn't ask for opinions. I've started a thread in this forum only once before now and quickly realised that it is brimming with opinions. Which isn't terribly useful if what you're after is facts. So, I was careful in my OP to end with;
"Experience-based replies and other knowledgeable contributions most appreciated. Thank you, in advance".
I'm here for knowledgeable advice, not opinions. Unsubstantiated opinions give me nothing to work with.
I'm also not here to argue, but am bound to recount my own experience when a post flies in the face of facts. Also, I will always meet unprovoked rudeness with similar rudeness in return. At least that is all I have done so far.

Fact, You chose to order an item that left you liable for import VAT in your chosen country of residence.

pinkshoes

Selector wrote: »

I didn't ask for opinions. I've started a thread in this forum only once before now and quickly realised that it is brimming with opinions. Which isn't terribly useful if what you're after is facts. So, I was careful in my OP to end with;
"Experience-based replies and other knowledgeable contributions most appreciated. Thank you, in advance".
I'm here for knowledgeable advice, not opinions. Unsubstantiated opinions give me nothing to work with.
I'm also not here to argue, but am bound to recount my own experience when a post flies in the face of facts. Also, I will always meet unprovoked rudeness with similar rudeness in return. At least that is all I have done so far.

Fact (not opinion): you need to pay import duties when importing from outside the EU.

If the sender has made a mistake with the declared value and hence the wrong duty, then you need to contest the amount.

Why not work out how much duty you thought you should be paying (plus the courier fee) and pay that?

Selector

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

You imported goods from outside the EU into the UK. You owe any taxes/duties levied.

In future, you might look at self clearance - Although takes longer and would cost you more in time.

Thanks, powerful_Rogue.
I understand goods may be delayed and even cost more when I clear goods through customs. As far as I'm concerned, considering I'm the person liable for customs charges, the decision on whether or not to pay them should remain my own, alone. If I have an arrangement with a carrier that sees them clear customs on my behalf, that would be absolutely fine. But without such an arrangement, I cannot for the life of me, see how any third party can make financials decisions and commitments on my behalf.
Whether I’m bringing a stick of lipstick in my carry-on luggage through Heathrow or importing a container-load of car parts through an Essex port, if I do not or refuse to pay the tax my goods will be confiscated and most likely destroyed. In the worst case, for larger items (like a container) I imagine customs might charge a storage fee and even levy a charge for destroying goods. (I have no problem admitting I precious little about importing containers).
Without notice to me, DHL have taken that decision away from me, by their own admission on their website, for expediency's sake. Or, as I see it, for their own sake. I was in no rush to receive the goods. And I would have refused them, had DHL advised me ahead of delivery of the amount of customs charges. Many smaller carriers manage to collect customs charges prior to or at the point of delivery. And the government link in my OP (which, surely, has input from HMRC) agrees with me saying a [international] courier will advise receivers of customs charges prior to deliver.
As far as I'm concerned, a private company, like DHL cannot change the process or the law, full stop. And to introduce changes to processes for the businesses own sake and labelling it 'improved service' or such, doesn't impress this receiver who neither asked nor wanted DHL (a private company with which I have no relationship whatsoever) to expedite anything or pay for anything, 'on my behalf'. I understand this system may work for many or even most others. It simply hasn’t worked for me, in this instance.
If they wanted to do anything on my behalf they would have left the goods in customs, so they could be returned. As I see it, they paid customs charges on their own behalf to keep processes running speedily and are now demanding that I reimburse them.

custardy

Selector wrote: »

Thanks, powerful_Rogue.
I understand goods may be delayed and even cost more when I clear goods through customs. As far as I'm concerned, considering I'm the person liable for customs charges, the decision on whether or not to pay them should remain my own, alone. If I have an arrangement with a carrier that sees them clear customs on my behalf, that would be absolutely fine.

Then speak to your MP.
You failed to make arrangements to pay your dues which you are absolutely fine with paying.
As many have said before you and yet expect some magic fairy to sort out fro them.

visidigi

Selector wrote: »

Thanks, powerful_Rogue.
I understand goods may be delayed and even cost more when I clear goods through customs. As far as I'm concerned, considering I'm the person liable for customs charges, the decision on whether or not to pay them should remain my own, alone. If I have an arrangement with a carrier that sees them clear customs on my behalf, that would be absolutely fine. But without such an arrangement, I cannot for the life of me, see how any third party can make financials decisions and commitments on my behalf.
Whether I’m bringing a stick of lipstick in my carry-on luggage through Heathrow or importing a container-load of car parts through an Essex port, if I do not or refuse to pay the tax my goods will be confiscated and most likely destroyed. In the worst case, for larger items (like a container) I imagine customs might charge a storage fee and even levy a charge for destroying goods. (I have no problem admitting I precious little about importing containers).
Without notice to me, DHL have taken that decision away from me, by their own admission on their website, for expediency's sake. Or, as I see it, for their own sake. I was in no rush to receive the goods. And I would have refused them, had DHL advised me ahead of delivery of the amount of customs charges. Many smaller carriers manage to collect customs charges prior to or at the point of delivery. And the government link in my OP (which, surely, has input from HMRC) agrees with me saying a [international] courier will advise receivers of customs charges prior to deliver.
As far as I'm concerned, a private company, like DHL cannot change the process or the law, full stop. And to introduce changes to processes for the businesses own sake and labelling it 'improved service' or such, doesn't impress this receiver who neither asked nor wanted DHL (a private company with which I have no relationship whatsoever) to expedite anything or pay for anything, 'on my behalf'. I understand this system may work for many or even most others. It simply hasn’t worked for me, in this instance.
If they wanted to do anything on my behalf they would have left the goods in customs, so they could be returned. As I see it, they paid customs charges on their own behalf to keep processes running speedily and are now demanding that I reimburse them.

Again. As you ignored it the first time....except ill add more detail....

The shipper sent you the goods in the agreed way at the agreed speed. The SHIPPER told the courier that you would settle the payment of any duties and taxes. If they have advised you there would not be any then the shipper has lied and the shipper needs to settle this with you privately OR call DHL and tell DHL they will pick up the cost.

While the courier has been told that the recipient will pay ultimately thier terms and conditions, to which the shipper accepted, state that in all cases the shipper is ultimately liable for any incurred duties and taxes should the recipient refuse to pay them.

This is covered by most shippers by the statement on the website you buy from that states any duties and taxes are the recipients responsibility.

The rest of your argument is null and void as you are treating the purchase, shipment and clearance of the good you bought as separate, which they are not.

The government site guidance is not legally enforceable - HMRC cannot make a courier or even a retailer ensure you know what taxes are due and settle them before it clears. Why? Because for DHL to deliver the service sold to the shipper they pre-clear, in most cases, before its even left the origin country.