Controlaccount / DHL demand import duty on personal birthday card and cookies

iZone

*Update*
It looks like a currency misunderstanding was part of the issue!

Based on what I have seen so far, the customs declaration (not sure if it's by the one by the sender/family or DHL's partner abroad, as it doesn't state DHL) states that 
- it is a gift
- they are cookies and a birthday card
- the value is $100, but this refers to Hong Kong Dollars, so less than £10

However, a "customs debit note" document by DHL shows the value as £73, which suggests that someone thought they were 100 US Dollars. The charges are thus VAT on that + Extra Charges (Disbursement, any idea what that is?) + the rest seems to be a late payment fee by Controlaccount.

Clearly someone somewhere made a mistake, but isn't it still strange/unfair/outrageous that an official decision-maker would assume that a handful (not a bag!) of cookies made by one's own family (not purchased!) and a birthday card would cost £73?

Anyway, what action could she take considering the above?
Is there a way to complain to the HMRC?

user1977

iZone said:

Clearly someone somewhere made a mistake, but isn't it still strange/unfair/outrageous that an official decision-maker would assume that a handful (not a bag!) of cookies made by one's own family (not purchased!) and a birthday card would cost £73?

They don't really have the time or resources to start trying to come up with valuations for every item and second-guessing the values declared - that's kinda the point of having the declaration forms.

sheramber

Customs officers can only go by what  is on the customs declaration.

They didn't assume anything. They took what was stated as the value on the declaration slip.

Was it made clear on the package that it was HK dollars? It is  one parcel among  many, which will be  read, nor scrutinised  to  decipher what currency is on it.

details of claiming overpaid charges here

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-apply-for-a-repayment-of-import-duty-and-vat-if-youve-overpaid-c285

visidigi

They don't do this manually. Its all electronic unless a manual pull of the shipment is done by local customs in the arrival country and and inspection undertaken (less than 0.5% get this). So either its entered by the shipper, the store that processed the shipment for the shipper or by DHL when its processed to leave the shipping country.

iZone

sheramber said:

details of claiming overpaid charges here

Quick one - I was checking this and one of the requirements is a "commercial invoice for the imported goods". Is this a hard requirement? How could anyone create or receive an invoice for cookies made at their own home and sent to a family member?

Manxman_in_exile

I do not know but I suspect the link sheramber provided is for businesses importing merchandise or raw materials into the UK and is not applicable for individuals seeking a refund on duty on gifts sent to them in the UK.

If I were you (or rather if I were your friend) I would contact HMRC direct, explain to them exactly what has happened, and ask them how to get the duty etc refunded.  I'm sure it happens all the time and would be quite easy to sort out - if your friend contacted HMRC direct.

(There's another thread on here about somebody who ordered a £400 spare part for a car from Sweden and got charged £7k in duty etc.  It's obviously an error -  not some conspiracy against Hong Kong students - and I'm sure it's simple to put right if your friend follows common sense.  Contact HMRC and ask them how to get a refund).