iPhone 13 mini win dilemma

cutey1983

I won an iPhone 13 mini a month ago with the Navigator 30y competition here:
 https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6386985/e-31-12-win-1-of-130-iphone-13 

I was initially thrilled, but this happiness quickly turned to annoyance and disappointment when I received a £140 import duty/tax email from DHL yesterday. The company are based in Portugal, and since we're no longer part of the EU, there is no getting around this charge.

Paying such a hefty amount just to receive a competition prize just does not sit right with me, especially on top of the £8 I have already spent posting my ID and certification code documents.

I was planning to sell the phone, but if I can't for any reason, then I will have lost a sum of money that I simply cannot afford in these tough financial times.

I'm in two minds as to what to do here. Risk paying in the hopes I can make a sale profit or refuse and cancel the delivery? 

What would you do in my siutation?

Your tuppence would be much appreciated.

Comping_Rich

Have a look at completed listings on eBay for the iPhone Mini 13, to see roughly how much you could get for it. Even if you only sold it for £200 you would make some profit.

cutey1983

I reseached sold prices on eBay a few weeks ago and it's around £500. 

DHL actually delivered the iPhone today, to my surprise. I really wasn't expecting them to do this without payment!

This puts me in a great position to sell the phone first, then pay the import duty/tax charge. 

ellenvan

Are you very sure that the promotor has not already paid the taxes/ import duty?

Bigboytyson

Well done xxx

MikeJXE

IT SOUNDS LIKE A SCAM TO ME !!!!! Never pay for anything unless you can have it in your hand, forget it and move on  

Pinkyp

Yeah the senders may have already paid the Tax & Duty on this if its been delivered as Customs don't usually release the goods until payment has been received. 

Well Done, Nice Win   

Keep_pedalling

MikeJXE said:

IT SOUNDS LIKE A SCAM TO ME !!!!! Never pay for anything unless you can have it in your hand, forget it and move on  

The OP already has the phone, they have also had the invoice so have to pay it. They have still got a £650 phone for a £148 layout so are quids in after the £140 Brexit penalty. 

BayGin

Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving

Comping_Rich

MikeJXE said:

IT SOUNDS LIKE A SCAM TO ME !!!!! Never pay for anything unless you can have it in your hand, forget it and move on  

It's not a scam, previous years Navigator have mentioned in the terms and conditions about having to pay import fees, however I cant see it on the terms for this promotion.

cutey1983

Pinkyp said:

Yeah the senders may have already paid the Tax & Duty on this if its been delivered as Customs don't usually release the goods until payment has been received. 

Well Done, Nice Win   

I would have thought the same, but the sender implicitly stated duties and taxes are payable in their dispatch confirmation email.

Very strange that DHL delivered before payment, despite sending an invoice (by both text and email) and calling me yesterday.

I'm a law abiding citizen, however times are hard and I wonder if there is some loophole that legally gets me out of paying...