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

TheSweetCheeks

powerful_Rogue said:

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.

Agreed - Best thing to do is learn the lesson and send cards! 

Sandtree

TheSweetCheeks said:

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! 

Or they order the gift from Amazon.co.uk or similar and have it delivered to you and so all taxes are paid at point of order... even some overseas mail order companies offer the opportunity for the buyer to pay the landed price and thus avoiding the receiver getting any bills (though in theory if its under £135 and doesnt contain alcohol then the seller should be paying the taxes on all sales being shipped to the UK).

The law says the recipient is the default payer of customs costs... there is an obvious practical reason for that and its been like that since these types of taxes were first introduced. It is difficult with gifts for obvious reasons and that arguably is with a person to person gift has a higher threshold before which taxes come due but clearly some are more generous than others.

emmajones1976

TheSweetCheeks said:

visidigi said:

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!

Your feeling would be totally incorrect, as already explained. 

TheSweetCheeks

emmajones1976 said:

TheSweetCheeks said:

visidigi said:

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!

Your feeling would be totally incorrect, as already explained. 

Ive think i have given you the wrong impression of my comments and thoughts - I accept that DHL have done nothing wrong and are probably well within the boundry of law etc etc.
However if you look at it from a customer service perspective, I think there is a service improvement opportunity here and this could be handled a little better by the courier company to avoid people like myself being blindsided a month after a parcel of gifts has landed on thier door step.
If they could amend their process so at the point of creating the way bill (I belive they have to do for evey parcel being sent over seas) they could send a standard templated email to both parties stating that there 'may' be charges for contents over a certain amount blar blar blar and even maybe a link to the customs website etc etc etc. If i had known that there might have been charged then I not the sender would have not been so blindsided now

I think i might write to them doubt it would make a difference but might make me feel better lol 

powerful_Rogue

TheSweetCheeks said:

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

Yeah, that hasn't really helped much. Will be much easier to check the numbers are correct if you would answer those above questions, such as:

A pair of shoes costing £60 and declared as a pair of shoes costing £60. DHL state the tax etc to be paid is £10.

Looking at those numbers, this is well beyond the gift threshold of £39 anyway.

emmajones1976

TheSweetCheeks said:

emmajones1976 said:

TheSweetCheeks said:

visidigi said:

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!

Your feeling would be totally incorrect, as already explained. 

Ive think i have given you the wrong impression of my comments and thoughts - I accept that DHL have done nothing wrong and are probably well within the boundry of law etc etc.
However if you look at it from a customer service perspective, I think there is a service improvement opportunity here and this could be handled a little better by the courier company to avoid people like myself being blindsided a month after a parcel of gifts has landed on thier door step.
If they could amend their process so at the point of creating the way bill (I belive they have to do for evey parcel being sent over seas) they could send a standard templated email to both parties stating that there 'may' be charges for contents over a certain amount blar blar blar and even maybe a link to the customs website etc etc etc. If i had known that there might have been charged then I not the sender would have not been so blindsided now

I think i might write to them doubt it would make a difference but might make me feel better lol 

You are essentially asking for the global system to be changed, that isnt happening.  It isnt the job of DHL to hand hold people either, it is the job of the shipper and/or recipient to be aware of customs charges.

Either way, had she ticked the right box or not, you would have had to pay £87.41 one way or another. 

TheSweetCheeks

powerful_Rogue said:

TheSweetCheeks said:

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

Yeah, that hasn't really helped much. Would have been easier to say:

A pair of shoes costing £60 and declared as £60. DHL state the tax etc to be paid is £10.

Looking at those numbers, this is well beyond the gift threshold of £39 anyway.

Yes, even though these gifts was for more than than one person, they all pretty much exceeded the £39 threashold except my husbands and the cats presents hahahahahha

For your info here tis in NZ dollars what was declared

2 x Necklance $521.00
1 x Soap         $10.00 
3 x Chocolate $ 6.00
4 x Cat Toys   $21.00 
1 x Card         $ 4.00
1 x Tshirt        $49.00
1x Coffee Mug $18.00
1x Christmas Decoration $10.00
                 Total $639.00

Then there would be postage on top of this as well of course

emmajones1976

Thats about £320. £80 or so duty/tax on top of that isnt dreadful tbh.

TheSweetCheeks

emmajones1976 said:

Thats about £320. £80 or so duty/tax on top of that isnt dreadful tbh.

I never said it was

mattyprice4004

TheSweetCheeks said:

emmajones1976 said:

Thats about £320. £80 or so duty/tax on top of that isnt dreadful tbh.

I never said it was

In your first post you allege it could be fraud - so you can understand why we believe you think it’s dreadful!