Possible Scam?

Hi.. couldnt find a category listed to ask this, here seemed most suitable, as computer related. 
I made an online purchase from Spain. GLS was the courier that end, with Parcleforce delivering this end. I received an email in my spam folder from glscs@ccllhr.com claiming to be from GLS, requesting me to pay customs fees to Customs Clearance Ltd. 
Im not dusputing the fact I owe customs charges though Parcleforce say there are no customs to pay. HMRC say it sounds like a scam. I have already received parcel. 
Has anyone here received email from glscs@ccllhr.com? 
Thanks in advance.
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Comments

  • GrumpyDil
    GrumpyDil Posts: 1,955 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Google that email address and it comes up with a company that looks legitimate and a number of posts saying they appear to be legitimate but do a good job of making themselves look like a scam. 
  • apw81
    apw81 Posts: 136 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    It’s a scam. You have the item already.

    Genuine customs fees are paid prior to delivery, and would be paid, by you, via Parcelforce, after they had sent you an invoice. All depending on the cost of the item, that is: https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

    Customs fees are not collected via a random, likely fake, ltd. company, sending requests from a random email address. That email arrived in your spam folder for a reason—it’s b.s.
  • RumRat
    RumRat Posts: 4,966 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If Parcelforce are saying there is nothing to pay, go with that.
    Duty should be paid before delivery. If there has been a !!!!!! up along the way let them sort it.
    As you already have the parcel, I would stop worrying about it...
    Drinking Rum before 10am makes you
    A PIRATE
    Not an Alcoholic...!
  • PRAISETHESUN
    PRAISETHESUN Posts: 4,690 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    My experience with custom fees is that you generally have to pay them before you receive the item. Given you have the item it's very unlikely to be a legitimate invoice. I'd personally ignore it. If there is anything to come from it, you will likely get an actual physical letter about it down the line.
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 19,244 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 4 October 2024 at 1:35PM
    apw81 said:
    It’s a scam. You have the item already.

    Genuine customs fees are paid prior to delivery, and would be paid, by you, via Parcelforce, after they had sent you an invoice. All depending on the cost of the item, that is: https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

    Customs fees are not collected via a random, likely fake, ltd. company, sending requests from a random email address. That email arrived in your spam folder for a reason—it’s b.s.
    Sadly not all the time. Often posts in consumer section where courier has sent bill after delivery for duty & other charges.

    OP needs to look at the T/C on the retailer site, as some EU retailer will pay the duty due & then bill customer.

    So Op might like to ask retailer about this.

    https://www.ccllhr.com/frequently-asked-questions
    Life in the slow lane
  • Thanks for all the replies! 
    Point 1: I know Customs Clearance Ltd are a real company.. but why in received email does address include ccllhr.com (what does that stand for?!)
    2: phone number given in email is a legitimate BT landline number though not number on CCltd website (though no doubt they have a few numbers)
    3: GLS website states they will NOT email requesting custons fees
    4: HMRC websites state since brexit courier companies now do pay fees in advance and claim back from customer via email/letter.
    I could go on and on.. for 5 days ive done nothing but google both GLS and CCLtd, read above mentioned comments in forums, searched contact nunbers etc (im a chronic overthinker). I have now managed to find an email for security@gls and forwarded them the email. Im guessing if anyone knows it will be them 🤞
  • And just for info, the purchase was from a furniture maker selling on Etsy.
  • OP  you stated you expect to pay a customs fee, how doe that compare to the amount requested?
    Let's Be Careful Out There
  • OP  you stated you expect to pay a customs fee, how doe that compare to the amount requested?
    It looks about right, with £11.50 added on for the pleasure of their admin.
  • noitsnotme
    noitsnotme Posts: 1,235 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper

    Point 1: I know Customs Clearance Ltd are a real company.. but why in received email does address include ccllhr.com (what does that stand for?!)

    ccllhr.com is their website domain so that is also what they use for their email addresses.  Not sure what the 'lhr' bit stands for but they have obviously gone for a shorter domain name than eg. customsclearanceltd.com.  Nothing unusual or suspicious about that at all.
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