DHL - delivering goods then invoicing for Customs duty, VAT etc with no prior warning

TheSweetCheeks

So i have seen some advice for those who have imported goods but nothing about being sent gifts from overseas, hence opening what might be a an already discussed topic.

I had a parcel sent from New Zealand (via NZ Post) to me in the UK with gifts in it. I was not aware the parcel was being sent until it arrived on my doorstep. A month later I received an invoice from the courier company (DHL) for Duty, customs and an admin fee. I was blindsided, i was not aware that this invoice was coming my way and it’s not a small amount of money either.

Please let me point out - I don’t have an issue with customs fees etc. I get why they are there and why gifts over a certain about incur fees too. BUT thought I was supposed to be told about them before I accepted delivery. You know, give me the choice to pay or reject the delivery? It’s a bit late now isn’t it?

I called DHL to ask why they had not contacted me or the seller before delivery, they said the sender had stated that I would pay the fees. They kindly emailed me a copy of the Waybill and other documentation on file as proof. 

So here are the facts with as little emotion as possible:

1. The customs declaration was signed by the sender on the 5th December at an NZ Post Shop

2. A waybill was issued on the 8th December, 3 days later (has DHL logo on it). 

3. On the Waybill it had been ticked to indicate that the recipient will pay any customs duty and VAT owed.

4. DHL or NZ Post did not contact the sender or myself (Phone contact details are correct on the documentation provided) to confirm who was to pay any customs duty and VAT owed. So stating the sender had said I’d pay was incorrect.

5. There is nothing on the customs declaration forms that the sender completed and signed on the 5th to state who would pay in the event of customs duty and VAT owed.

My questions:

If the Waybill was not issued in the senders presence and neither the sender or I (recipient) were contacted. It appears that this decision has been made by the DHL personnel completing the form.

Is it ok for a courier company to do this? Or could this be considered fraud? 

A reminder - This parcel was gifts and not a overseas purchase

Why was I and/or the sender not contacted ahead of the delivery of the parcel?

Why was I not given the choice to accept delivery and pay or to refuse and have the parcel returned to sender?

I did not ask DHL to pay the customs duty and VAT on my behalf so why should I now pay them the £11 service fee for something I did not authorise them to do? Is this like to someone washing your car in a public without you knowledge or agreement and then creating an account for you on their system and sending you a bill expecting payment ?

They set up an account in my name without my authority (does this go against GDPR or something)? 

If I don’t know a parcel is being sent to me, how can I stop this from happening again? (again this was not an overseas purchase)

Your thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated but please be gentle with me, I am just a ‘joe blogs on the street’ kind gal feeling a little bit taken for a ride 😊

TheSweetCheeks

Sorry I made some errors in my Post. Corrected in bold and caps 

So i have seen some advice for those who have imported goods but nothing about being sent gifts from overseas, hence opening what might be a an already discussed topic.

I had a parcel sent from New Zealand (via NZ Post) to me in the UK with gifts in it. I was not aware the parcel was being sent until it arrived on my doorstep. A month later I received an invoice from the courier company (DHL) for Duty, customs and an admin fee. I was blindsided, i was not aware that this invoice was coming my way and it’s not a small amount of money either.

Please let me point out - I don’t have an issue with customs fees etc. I get why they are there and why gifts over a certain AMOUNT incur fees too. BUT thought I was supposed to be told about them before I accepted delivery. You know, give me the choice to pay or reject the delivery? It’s a bit late now isn’t it?

I called DHL to ask why they had not contacted me or the SENDER before delivery, they said the sender had stated that I would pay the fees. They kindly emailed me a copy of the Waybill and other documentation on file as proof. 

So here are the facts with as little emotion as possible:

1. The customs declaration was signed by the sender on the 5th December at an NZ Post Shop

2. A waybill was issued on the 8th December, 3 days later (has DHL logo on it). 

3. On the Waybill it had been ticked to indicate that the recipient will pay any customs duty and VAT owed.

4. DHL or NZ Post did not contact the sender or myself (Phone contact details are correct on the documentation provided) to confirm who was to pay any customs duty and VAT owed. So stating the sender had said I’d pay was incorrect.

5. There is nothing on the customs declaration forms that the sender completed and signed on the 5th to state who would pay in the event of customs duty and VAT owed.

My questions:

If the Waybill was not issued in the senders presence and neither the sender or I (recipient) were contacted. It appears that this decision has been made by the DHL personnel completing the form.

Is it ok for a courier company to do this? Or could this be considered fraud? 

A reminder - This parcel was gifts and not a overseas purchase

Why was I and/or the sender not contacted ahead of the delivery of the parcel?

Why was I not given the choice to accept delivery and pay or to refuse and have the parcel returned to sender?

I did not ask DHL to pay the customs duty and VAT on my behalf so why should I now pay them the £11 service fee for something I did not authorise them to do? Is this like to someone washing your car in a public without you knowledge or agreement and then creating an account for you on their system and sending you a bill expecting payment ?

They set up an account in my name without my authority (does this go against GDPR or something)? 

If I don’t know a parcel is being sent to me, how can I stop this from happening again? (again this was not an overseas purchase)

Your thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated but please be gentle with me, I am just a ‘joe blogs on the street’ kind gal feeling a little bit taken for a ride 😊

powerful_Rogue

The sender should have marked the package as "goods to be Customs cleared by the importer" on the customs declaration. Once this package arrives in the UK, customs will clear the item and invoice you for any duties/taxes. Once paid, you can collect or arrange the item to be delivered to you. However, this process can take a while.

The above will cover why you have being invoiced and why DHL have cleared the parcel.

What were the items, what is their value? What was the declared value and how much are you being invoiced?

visidigi

TheSweetCheeks said:

So i have seen some advice for those who have imported goods but nothing about being sent gifts from overseas, hence opening what might be a an already discussed topic.

I had a parcel sent from New Zealand (via NZ Post) to me in the UK with gifts in it. I was not aware the parcel was being sent until it arrived on my doorstep. A month later I received an invoice from the courier company (DHL) for Duty, customs and an admin fee. I was blindsided, i was not aware that this invoice was coming my way and it’s not a small amount of money either.

Please let me point out - I don’t have an issue with customs fees etc. I get why they are there and why gifts over a certain about incur fees too. BUT thought I was supposed to be told about them before I accepted delivery. You know, give me the choice to pay or reject the delivery? It’s a bit late now isn’t it?

I called DHL to ask why they had not contacted me or the seller before delivery, they said the sender had stated that I would pay the fees. They kindly emailed me a copy of the Waybill and other documentation on file as proof. 

So here are the facts with as little emotion as possible:

1. The customs declaration was signed by the sender on the 5th December at an NZ Post Shop

2. A waybill was issued on the 8th December, 3 days later (has DHL logo on it). 

3. On the Waybill it had been ticked to indicate that the recipient will pay any customs duty and VAT owed.

4. DHL or NZ Post did not contact the sender or myself (Phone contact details are correct on the documentation provided) to confirm who was to pay any customs duty and VAT owed. So stating the sender had said I’d pay was incorrect.

5. There is nothing on the customs declaration forms that the sender completed and signed on the 5th to state who would pay in the event of customs duty and VAT owed.

My questions:

If the Waybill was not issued in the senders presence and neither the sender or I (recipient) were contacted. It appears that this decision has been made by the DHL personnel completing the form.

Is it ok for a courier company to do this? Or could this be considered fraud? 

A reminder - This parcel was gifts and not a overseas purchase

Why was I and/or the sender not contacted ahead of the delivery of the parcel?

Why was I not given the choice to accept delivery and pay or to refuse and have the parcel returned to sender?

I did not ask DHL to pay the customs duty and VAT on my behalf so why should I now pay them the £11 service fee for something I did not authorise them to do? Is this like to someone washing your car in a public without you knowledge or agreement and then creating an account for you on their system and sending you a bill expecting payment ?

They set up an account in my name without my authority (does this go against GDPR or something)? 

If I don’t know a parcel is being sent to me, how can I stop this from happening again? (again this was not an overseas purchase)

Your thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated but please be gentle with me, I am just a ‘joe blogs on the street’ kind gal feeling a little bit taken for a ride 😊

The sender made you liable. Doesnt matter the DHL awb came later, it was triggered by the NZ post process. 

DHL don't have to speak to you first to settle amounts. In fact they didn't because it wasn't a lot of money (they do if it is to protect them from fraud). Clearance was already completed, so refusing delivery wouldn't change whats owed. 

They setup the account to facilitate payment triggered by the request of the shipper to deliver the goods to you within a determined time frame.

Its not fraud. Its not a GDPR issue (the shipper gave your information) 

In order to complete the delivery the shipper asked DHL To clear and deliver it. 

All your situations are caused by the shipper. DHL didn't do anything wrong here per the regulations.

TheSweetCheeks

powerful_Rogue said:

The sender should have marked the package as "goods to be Customs cleared by the importer" on the customs declaration. Once this package arrives in the UK, customs will clear the item and invoice you for any duties/taxes. Once paid, you can collect or arrange the item to be delivered to you. However, this process can take a while.

The above will cover why you have being invoiced and why DHL have cleared the parcel.

What were the items, what is their value? What was the declared value and how much are you being invoiced?

Thanks - IF ONLY the send had been given that advice A lesson there for sure

molerat

To stop it happening again you need to inform all your overseas contacts not to send you gifts. 

Even if you had rejected the shipment you would still have been liable for customs charges.  They have not set up an account, they have sent a bill to the person who is ultimately liable, the importer. 

Unfortunately the sender has, likely unwittingly, dropped you in it.  By their omission they have made you liable for duties, they could have chosen to pay the duty. Any discussion is between you and them, no one else has done anything wrong.

powerful_Rogue

TheSweetCheeks said:

powerful_Rogue said:

The sender should have marked the package as "goods to be Customs cleared by the importer" on the customs declaration. Once this package arrives in the UK, customs will clear the item and invoice you for any duties/taxes. Once paid, you can collect or arrange the item to be delivered to you. However, this process can take a while.

The above will cover why you have being invoiced and why DHL have cleared the parcel.

What were the items, what is their value? What was the declared value and how much are you being invoiced?

Thanks - IF ONLY the send had been given that advice A lesson there for sure

It's not for the sender to be given advice, it's for the sender to research the rules/regulations of where they are sending the package to.

Someone working at the counter of NZ Post isn't nor expected to know the customs process for every country.

TheSweetCheeks

molerat said:

To stop it happening again you need to inform all your overseas contacts not to send you gifts.  Even if you had rejected the shipment you would still have been liable for customs charges.  They have not set up an account, they have sent a bill to the person who is ultimately liable, the importer.  Unfortunately the sender has, likely unwittingly, dropped you in it.

Agreed! its been a massive shock, I can on this occasion make sure sender just sends a card from now on and no gifts! 

powerful_Rogue

So what were the items and what is their value? What was the declared value state and how much are you being invoiced?

TheSweetCheeks

visidigi said:

The sender made you liable. Doesnt matter the DHL awb came later, it was triggered by the NZ post process. 

Well thats the bit that leaves a nasty taste in my mouth, the sender wasnt aware they had dropped me in it and for DHL to take it upon themselves to state on the waybill reciever pays is just inreal. I do feel like there is a process broken here hmmmm!

DHL don't have to speak to you first to settle amounts. In fact they didn't because it wasn't a lot of money (they do if it is to protect them from fraud). Clearance was already completed, so refusing delivery wouldn't change whats owed. 

They setup the account to facilitate payment triggered by the request of the shipper to deliver the goods to you within a determined time frame.

Its not fraud. Its not a GDPR issue (the shipper gave your information) 
OK thanks thats good to know

In order to complete the delivery the shipper asked DHL To clear and deliver it. 
Do you mean because the sender didnt state "goods to be Customs cleared by the importer" ?

All your situations are caused by the shipper. DHL didn't do anything wrong here per the regulations.
Again lesson here is tell all overseas family and friends NOT to send gifts. Got it thanks for your advice

Above reply in bold

TheSweetCheeks

powerful_Rogue said:

So what were the items and what is their value? What was the declared value state and how much are you being invoiced?

Stistical Value
£332.27             Duty 2.5% = £ 8.30
£340.57             VAT 20%   = £68.11
Duty Tax importer                = £11.00
                       Total Invoice    £87.41