Royal mail customs charges for post from Netherlands

Hannimal

I am rather confused as I thought I wouldn't need to pay customs for something ordered from within the EU. However, I was slumped with customs for an order that arrived from the Netherlands. I have paid for this but it doesn't quite sound right. Is someone able to explain to me why I had to pay this? Below are details from the mail.

Charge details

Date charge applied	Fri 04 Sep 2020
Import VAT	£4.58
Handling fee	£8.00
Online payment discount	-£${headers.onlineDiscount}
	Total amount paid: £12.58

Aylesbury_Duck

Was it definitely shipped from the EU, or was it ordered from the Netherlands but shipped from somewhere further afield?

shaun_from_Africa

Are you 100% that the goods came from the Netherlands and it's not that the company concerned is based there but are shipping the goods from elsewhere?
What is the website that you ordered from?

DoaM

As above. It's no different than buying from a co.uk website yet the goods are drop-shipped from China (for example). The buyer is still liable for any VAT and import duty.

Hannimal

I am sure it's from the netherlands. I've copied and pasted the text from the receipt from Royal Mail below. (i've changed to XXXX what I don't need you to see)

tem details

Item ID	XXXX
Sender name	XXXX **
Sender country	Netherlands

Charge details

Date charge applied	Fri 04 Sep 2020
Import VAT	£4.58
Handling fee	£8.00
Online payment discount	-£${headers.onlineDiscount}
	Total amount paid: £12.58

Delivery details

Requested delivery date	Mon 14 Sep 2020
Email address	XXXX @gmail.com
Phone number	XXXX

Hannimal

DoaM said:

As above. It's no different than buying from a co.uk website yet the goods are drop-shipped from China (for example). The buyer is still liable for any VAT and import duty.

I understand this which is why i ordered from an EU country thinking I'd not need to pay these fees.

Aylesbury_Duck

Who have you paid the £12.58 to and what did they say when you queried it?

Hannimal

I have paid this to the Royal Mail. I cannot query it as the website directs me to HM Revenue & Customs and Border Force website where the only option I see is to send them a complaint which requires printing out a form and mailing it to them. I don't have a printer and cannot access my office so I can't do this.

Aylesbury_Duck

Sounds to me like you should write off the £12.58.  It does look like it may be a mistake but if you have no way of querying it, what can you do about it?

Hannimal

Modern day Britain eh... 

davidmcn

Hannimal said:

I don't have a printer

You could always buy one (preferably not from overseas...).