DHL vat invoice when already charged (double VAT) - pay or push back?

nyermen

Hi - I know this has been asked many times, but all the threads I can find are those of "Brexit surprise I now have to pay" style.

TLDR;   Quick Question is - If we've paid UK VAT already on an order, and now have the DHL invoice, should we push back, or pay DHL and then try and claim back from someone afterwards (DHL?  The company ordered from?  HMRC?).  With DHL's handling charges as well, its about £60 so not to be sniffed at.


Longer version...
Partner ordered something that has UK-based all over it (head office UK address on the website where returns should be sent, shipping details says about being liable for duty etc only if shipping outside UK, UK drop down that adds VAT in GBP, etc . https://www.adenandanais.co.uk/shipping-and-returns FYI),
I also found a reference to a warehouse in Belgium, the goods were shipped from there I believe, and now DHL have sent one of their "pay within 7 days of the invoice date that you received in the post on day 8, or else" letters, itemised with VAT charge of a couple of quid less than what was on the original paid invoice from the company she ordered from.  There's also a few pence of duty as well which we may well be liable for as that wasn't on the invoice (it's baby stuff, so presumably mostly duty free?)

We wrote to them immediately asking why we're paying twice for VAT (ie. did they forget to indicate VAT taken on the shipping docs etc), they've responded saying something about duty and EU and that "we'll pay it on this occasion if you send the invoice details" and they need to update our website (which sounds more like a response to duty than VAT).  I would rather pay the invoice myself since its already over-due according to DHL's arbitrary payment terms.  And doesn't answer why they had VAT on the invoice?
(Ps. Think she paid by debit rather than credit card, not that I think thats the approach to take but its normally the first question on the forums )

Right now I'm thinking pay the DHL invoice, send a copy to Aden&Anais, and ask for a refund of the VAT we were originally charged and so would have paid twice. Alternative views appreciated?

Thanks . Peter.

ItsComingRome

I think asking the retailer for the VAT back is the correct course of action, it's their error that's caused this rather than DHL's

mattyprice4004

Yep, I'm usually the first to jump on the 'well this is thanks to Brexit' replies but the error is clear here - you've been charged twice. 
I would suggest paying DHL and then taking it up with the retailer is your best bet; they can simply refund the UK VAT if they've not sent it 'deliver duty paid' as they should have done.

KxMx

Wouldn't be anything to do with Brexit anyway, the EU themselves have now abolished low value consignment relief. 

We just did it about 6 months ahead of them.

nyermen

Thanks all, pay i shall, and then chase