DHL parcels received in UK to Parcelforce and not even delivered to recipient

Sandie_Dawn

Is anyone aware why there is a problem between Germany specifically and the UK with received shipping.  I ordered two crates of wine from Germany from a winery.  They shipped it from Germany via DHL at the end of Septermber, landed in UK on 3 October.  Our delivery details were correct, but for some reason after tracking it kept showing received in UK and not even sent to a delivery depot for forwarding to us. I complained to Parcelforce 3 times and they finally suggested i contacted the sender. The sender contacted DHL and it seems that Parcelforce had returned the package to Germany and seems no reason given.  All details were correct and I have now lost about £28 of shipping cost but will receive the £82 cost of the wine back from the sender.  It doesnt give me much trust in wanting to send things to Germany myself if this is what is going to happen!  Has anyone experienced this also?

Hoenir

I'd imagine the issue is to do with the non payment of the alcohol duty due on the importation. As not just a question of shipping boxes. Parcelforce act as collection Agents for the HMRC. Handling many thousands of items a day. Any delay in returning the item will simply be down to due process being followed and a suitable means being ascertained. The fact that it arrived in the UK duty unpaid will have moved the shipment into the slow lane. 

 By buying direct did you think that you'd sourced a bargain, i.e £3.41p a bottle ? 

DullGreyGuy

Sandie_Dawn said:

Is anyone aware why there is a problem between Germany specifically and the UK with received shipping.  I ordered two crates of wine from Germany from a winery.  They shipped it from Germany via DHL at the end of Septermber, landed in UK on 3 October.  Our delivery details were correct, but for some reason after tracking it kept showing received in UK and not even sent to a delivery depot for forwarding to us. I complained to Parcelforce 3 times and they finally suggested i contacted the sender. The sender contacted DHL and it seems that Parcelforce had returned the package to Germany and seems no reason given.  All details were correct and I have now lost about £28 of shipping cost but will receive the £82 cost of the wine back from the sender.  It doesnt give me much trust in wanting to send things to Germany myself if this is what is going to happen!  Has anyone experienced this also?

Its likely an issue with the excise duty that's due on alcohol 

Your £110 of wine, assuming it was 24 bottle of around 12.5% would attract approximately £98.95 of taxes plus the couriers fees for clearing which could be more for things involving excise duty.

The sender needs to have declared everything properly and Customs be happy everything matches up to what's been declared otherwise it either is re-evaluated based on what Customs believe it is or is refused entry. Similarly ParcelForce will probably require payment in advance and if not paid promptly they'll return it. 

superbigal

You should have received a letter from parcelforce (Or contacted them) when at the delivery hub, to get a 17 Digit Code to allow you to pay all the charges.
If this did not happen (As others have suggested above) it is very likely customs took a dim view of the sellers declaration documents.