(Another) Import Duty query

RG_Toad

Hi all.

Really hoping someone can offer me some advice here.

I ordered a camera lens from OM Systems online shop for the special offer price of £807.90, and paid an additional £8.90 for express shipping.

OM Systems are based in Germany but on their website they clearly say;

"Please be reassured that you will not be asked to pay duty on any item bought through our web shop even though the goods are coming into a non-EU country from the EU. Where it applies, we are responsible for all transaction costs for goods going in either direction so this covers purchases, returns and repairs".

So, OM Systems ships it from their place in Germany and sends me an invoice and the DHL tracking details.

The invoice is from the OM Systems office in London, has a GB VAT ID reference number. shows VAT/output tax already paid at 20% and is marked DDP - Delievered Duty Paid, which means the retailer has already taken care of any import duties - as their website said they would. The invoice also includes Customs Code 9002 1100 90 for the camera lens which, according to the gov.uk website, is zero rated for import duty.

Anyway, a couple of days later I get a call from DHL asking me to supply them with an invoice for custom purposes, which I do by email. Later the same day, I get a WhatsApp text from DHL saying I need to pay an additional £172.58 "import duty/tax". This has been followed up with similar demands via email and texts from DHL (they're legit - I checked) over the last couple of days and it looks like they wont deliver the item until it's been paid.

Another £172 wipes out any savings I made on this purchase so I'm not going to just pay it and forget about it.

So the question is, what do I do. My options seem to be;

1. Pay the import duty to DHL and claim it back from Customs
2. Contact OM Systems and see if they can sort this out
3. Contact Customs directly
4. Ask DHL to return the item to OM Systems and get a refund

Or have a I missed something? Anyone got any experience of this and what the best course of action might be?

Many thanks

user1977

Have you asked DHL to check they haven't made a mistake here? It sounds like they might have just missed the fact duty was already paid. And/or contact the retailer, as I expect they have more experience of similar c0ck-ups.

visidigi

Tell your seller that DHL are chasing you. They can call DHL and tell them to invoice it to them instead. DHL have made a mistake in coming to you given its DDP (which basically means if there are duties the bill goes back to the shipper)

Therefore the shipper should be able to get it resolved

RG_Toad

Thanks for the replies. My plan was to contact DHL and see if they can sort it, though from what I've read I suspect they'll say I have to pay and apply for a refund from Customs directly. I'll speak to OM on Monday and see what they say.

What a faff.

sheramber

The invoice reads that VAT has been paid but there is also customs duty.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

RG_Toad

I read that and entered the invoice customs code

9002 1100 90

which relates to camera lenses. It says it's zero rated so there's no customs duty to pay.

Plus the invoice is marked DDP.

dumpster_fire2025

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81864372#Comment_81864372

This is all irrelevant.

If DHL are asking for the VAT then you either pay them and try to reclaim it from the supplier or refuse, contact the supplier and they can chase it with DHL.

RG_Toad

The majority of online advice says don't pay as you lose leverage and once DHL/Customs have it, its highly unlikely the money will ever be returned.

I think its a DHL !!!!!! up with the invoice, but I'll contact the seller and ask them to sort it out.

Cheers

born_again

https://explore.omsystem.com/gb/en/termsofuse

4 & 5

RG_Toad

Thanks. At least I can get a refund if it comes to it.

MyRealNameToo

Speak to the vendor, they are the ones that are saying it's DDP and are the ones that instructed DHL. Its not going to be clear to anyone else what's gone wrong or who's fault it is but they are best placed to clear it up and either get the bill cleared or paid depending where the fault is.