UPS - courier company from hell

Ive a friend in the US who posted me items.  They were a gift so no customs charges.  Cleared UPS Stansted and now stuck in UPS Castle Donington.  The useless UPS tracking appeared to show they were back in some sort of customs hold! 

Rang their hideously incompetent customer services and was told three different "updates".  Complained via trustpilot and was advised by one of their team that my parcel cleared customs in UPS Castle Donington two days ago.  Told me some horse manure about it travelling through their network for delivery within 48 to 72 hours.  Still no scan or update from them.  Absolute disaster of a company.

Can anyone think who else I can raise this with the likes of an ombudsman regardless of what happens with my parcel? Im beyond !!!!!! off.

Thanks in advance. 



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Comments

  • Hoenir
    Hoenir Posts: 6,583 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Gifts are inspected not simply waived through Customs. Just because a box has been ticked. 
  • noitsnotme
    noitsnotme Posts: 1,238 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    NeillB said:
    Ive a friend in the US who posted me items.  They were a gift so no customs charges.  
    Depends what the value is…

    Gifts over £39 are liable to import VAT. Customs Duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135.”

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-vat-and-customs-duty-on-gifts
  • swingaloo
    swingaloo Posts: 3,338 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Other than your mis-understanding of the customs procedure Im not sure what your complaint is. What exactly do you want the ombudsman to do?
  • NeillB
    NeillB Posts: 114 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Posts
    Id have thought its obvious. 
  • NeillB
    NeillB Posts: 114 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Posts
    NeillB said:
    Ive a friend in the US who posted me items.  They were a gift so no customs charges.  
    Depends what the value is…

    ”Gifts over £39 are liable to import VAT. Customs Duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135.”

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-vat-and-customs-duty-on-gifts
    Why are you quoting me links to what I already know?  Its already cleared customs. Sorry but thats no help at all.
  • noitsnotme
    noitsnotme Posts: 1,238 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    NeillB said:
    NeillB said:
    Ive a friend in the US who posted me items.  They were a gift so no customs charges.  
    Depends what the value is…

    ”Gifts over £39 are liable to import VAT. Customs Duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135.”

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-vat-and-customs-duty-on-gifts
    Why are you quoting me links to what I already know?  It’s already cleared customs. Sorry but thats no help at all.
    It’s an open forum, people post views and information. If it’s not useful to you it might be to someone else.

    Just because it’s cleared customs doesn’t necessarily mean there are no import fees to pay.  Couriers tend to deliver first and invoice for import fees later.
  • Hoenir
    Hoenir Posts: 6,583 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    NeillB said:
    NeillB said:
    Ive a friend in the US who posted me items.  They were a gift so no customs charges.  
    Depends what the value is…

    ”Gifts over £39 are liable to import VAT. Customs Duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135.”

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-vat-and-customs-duty-on-gifts
    Why are you quoting me links to what I already know?  Its already cleared customs. Sorry but thats no help at all.
    You said. 

    The useless UPS tracking appeared to show they were back in some sort of customs hold! 

    Still might be held pending payment of charges. 
  • NeillB
    NeillB Posts: 114 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Posts
    Hoenir said:
    NeillB said:
    NeillB said:
    Ive a friend in the US who posted me items.  They were a gift so no customs charges.  
    Depends what the value is…

    ”Gifts over £39 are liable to import VAT. Customs Duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135.”

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-vat-and-customs-duty-on-gifts
    Why are you quoting me links to what I already know?  Its already cleared customs. Sorry but thats no help at all.
    You said. 

    The useless UPS tracking appeared to show they were back in some sort of customs hold! 

    Still might be held pending payment of charges. 
    Its a gift and declared as under £39 so no charges.
  • NeillB
    NeillB Posts: 114 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Posts
    edited 3 November 2024 at 2:07AM
    NeillB said:
    NeillB said:
    Ive a friend in the US who posted me items.  They were a gift so no customs charges.  
    Depends what the value is…

    ”Gifts over £39 are liable to import VAT. Customs Duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135.”

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-vat-and-customs-duty-on-gifts
    Why are you quoting me links to what I already know?  It’s already cleared customs. Sorry but thats no help at all.
    It’s an open forum, people post views and information. If it’s not useful to you it might be to someone else.

    Just because it’s cleared customs doesn’t necessarily mean there are no import fees to pay.  Couriers tend to deliver first and invoice for import fees later.
    Post away.  Im aware of everything you've stated. The problem is UPS and their business model.  I'll give you abit of advice. If you've a choice don't use them.  This centres around their customer service support and their tracking being inaccurate. They're known flaws. We'll leave this thread at that as its not helping anyone. 
  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,849 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 3 November 2024 at 9:36AM
    NeillB said:
    NeillB said:
    NeillB said:
    Ive a friend in the US who posted me items.  They were a gift so no customs charges.  
    Depends what the value is…

    ”Gifts over £39 are liable to import VAT. Customs Duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135.”

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-vat-and-customs-duty-on-gifts
    Why are you quoting me links to what I already know?  It’s already cleared customs. Sorry but thats no help at all.
    It’s an open forum, people post views and information. If it’s not useful to you it might be to someone else.

    Just because it’s cleared customs doesn’t necessarily mean there are no import fees to pay.  Couriers tend to deliver first and invoice for import fees later.
    Post away.  Im aware of everything you've stated. The problem is UPS and their business model.  I'll give you abit of advice. If you've a choice don't use them.  This centres around their customer service support and their tracking being inaccurate. They're known flaws. We'll leave this thread at that as its not helping anyone. 
    I have never used UPS so can’t comment on how good they are, or not.  I was wondering if you were a bit unlucky.  

    No, you weren’t just unlucky.  I had a look on Trustpilot.  They’ve had over 36,000 comments on UPS.  I was a bit stunned to see 92% gave them 1* :#


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