UPS making huge unexplained charges

Mommermaggs

We have a shipment coming from China which was VAT & shipping paid. Now UPS want to charge £419 for 'Government charges'. There is no other explantation available and if I don't pay they will charge me storage from today. Should I pay and chase with HMRC/small claims court later ?

DullGreyGuy

So sounds like its VAT, Customs Duty, possibly Excise Duty and their handling charge.

What was the item? What was the total cost inc postage?

You say it was "VAT paid"... which country's VAT? Are you comfortable the seller will have done what they said?

You need to clarify the above items and ultimately see what the sender has declared on the paperwork. It may be an issue with HMRC or, more likely, with your sender in which case enforcing a debt against a chinese entity is going to be much more complicated than the UK small claims court.

soolin

Mommermaggs said:

We have a shipment coming from China which was VAT & shipping paid. Now UPS want to charge £419 for 'Government charges'. There is no other explantation available and if I don't pay they will charge me storage from today. Should I pay and chase with HMRC/small claims court later ?

Firstly check that the sender has correctly identified and valued the contents of the parcel - obviously if you know the sender they should be happy to confirm all was in order, but if they were new to you it might be more difficult. 

Mommermaggs

Many thanks for your replies. We are currently confirming with the Chinese supplier that the invoicing with the goods is correct as he definitely said the price included UK tax etc. We have felt with them before and had no issues. I have read so much on line about UPS that I'm concerned this is more than an oversight from China. The item is film to cover model aircraft.

GadgetGuru

I have to admit, UPS are fast becoming the new Evri, for me anyways. It's another company I now try to avoid, which is a shame a they have always been good in the past!

Have you tried calling UPS??
Phone them a the service rep (when you get through) should have more details on their system on what exactly the charges are related to....