Revenue @ Customs

Craig1981 · 4 Oct 2011 at 15:19

I've had that happen to me a couple of times when ordering stuff from the states. They withheld the package until I went online and paid them the amount stated on the letter.

Jono8 · 4 Oct 2011 at 15:29

bin..BIN...BIN

memyselfandi · 4 Oct 2011 at 15:52

theipodkid said:
I contacted the company that sent the messages because I was not going to pay it as the item I am getting should be free.

So you've looked up what you are importing on the HMRC website and there is zero duty and vat rates for products of that class? (I know you said what you ordered in an earlier post but I have no idea what it is

)

I'm just wondering what you are basing that it should be free on?

Adam · 4 Oct 2011 at 15:54

I think this is legitimate and a great idea to send the money. Infact, as a sign of your gratitude to them I'd send an extra 50% on top.

DefiantAsh · 4 Oct 2011 at 15:58

Jono8 said:
bin..BIN...BIN LADEN?

erm...

...................

I'd send them snotty email saying you've enquired about the said package and that the case has been referred to the Fruad Unit at UK Border Agencies and HM Revenue and Customs.

Lol, clearly just made it up, so use appropriate names where needs be, you get the drift though.

PermaChanged · 4 Oct 2011 at 16:40

Why does it seem strange to be being charged import tax on something?

I would say it's genuine, especially for RC related stuff, just ask on any of the RC forums (MaxBashing/Oople/MSUK) about importing cheaper stuff from the USA.

Vonhelmet · 4 Oct 2011 at 17:20

nydryl said:
Scam.

Given that he says he doesn't have the letter to hand, it's more likely that the OP is quoting from memory and just can't spell.

theipodkid · 4 Oct 2011 at 17:56

Vonhelmet said:
Given that he says he doesn't have the letter to hand, it's more likely that the OP is quoting from memory and just can't spell.

No because when I got the letter I typed what it said and sent it to the companey in email.

I'm going to drop them a email saying I've got told not to pay it because people say it's a scam. I'll see what they say about it.

memyselfandi · 4 Oct 2011 at 18:05

theipodkid said:
No because when I got the letter I typed what it said and sent it to the companey in email.

I'm going to drop them a email saying I've got told not to pay it because people say it's a scam. I'll see what they say about it.

And they will tell you as they have already said that their Customer Service team have checked and the package is being held as per your earlier post, that it is not a scam at all and that if you want your package then you will need to pay the duty.

As their message seems to indicate that the item was sent USPS then the chances are it is being delivered by either Royal Mail or Parcel Force contact their local depots which cover your postcode (which you should be able to look up on their respective websites) and ask if there is a package being held for your address for payment of Customs Charges. If there is then they should be able to tell you how to pay.

If you don't pay at this point then eventually the package will be returned to the sender and you will not get it.

You also haven't answered why you think that you shouldn't have to pay anything for the package?

piggeh · 4 Oct 2011 at 18:05

If it's free then its a gift and no custom charges should be applied.

theipodkid · 4 Oct 2011 at 18:10

memyselfandi said:
You also haven't answered why you think that you shouldn't have to pay anything for the package?

The point of this topic was to find out how I pay it and who I call seeing as I don't know where letter is now..

But then people started to say it's scam so now I don't know what to do..

Vonhelmet · 4 Oct 2011 at 18:20

theipodkid said:
No because when I got the letter I typed what it said and sent it to the companey in email.

I'm going to drop them a email saying I've got told not to pay it because people say it's a scam. I'll see what they say about it.

Serious? Apologies for the diss. Sounds highly suspicious if the actual letter said that.

memyselfandi · 4 Oct 2011 at 20:10

theipodkid said:
The point of this topic was to find out how I pay it and who I call seeing as I don't know where letter is now..

But then people started to say it's scam so now I don't know what to do..

Post 18. The one where you quote the response you received back from the vendor, Horizon Hobby. The one where they say that the package is being held by the postal service and is awaiting payment of charges, (whether they are valid or not in you opinion).

They also say the package has not been returned to them which is what will happen if there is a charge and you don't pay. It is perfectly possible that if the item ordered + shipping comes to >£18 then you will have to pay (unless what you have ordered is zero rated for duty and vat)

Whether or not the original letter mentioned was a scam doesn't actually matter as the way to deal with it in your current situation doesn't involve sending money to Nigeria or whatever.

I've have indicated twice in this thread that (assuming of course you are in the UK as you are not displaying a location) that there is a good chance that something sent from the US via USPS will likely be delivered in the UK by either Royal Mail or Parcel Force. Contact their local depot (PF) and delivery office (RM) covering your postcode. Royal Mail have a number on their site you can call to find out where that is. Parcel Force allow you to search via postcode on their site.

Then phone them up and ask if there is a package for your name and address awaiting payment of customs charges to be delivered. If there is then they will be able to tell you how to pay. You are paying Royal Mail or Parcel Force directly not some dodgy scammer via Western Union.

Worse case is that the original letter was a scam and they don't have your package there with a charge ... you don't pay ... you continue to wait for your package. Best case they do have the package there waiting to be delivered on payment of the charge ... you pay ... get your package.

Alternatively ignore it all ... if there is an unpaid charge then eventually your package should be returned to the Vendor who should ask you what you want done.

Bigpops · 4 Oct 2011 at 20:40

From what I can gather from this post, Horizon Hobby are sending you an ESC, which you say is free, so it's probably a replacement for one that went faulty.

Is that correct?

One question. Why is it coming from Horizon Hobby USA, when they have a service depot here in the UK?

Some additional info. If you have a tracking number, try it on Royal Mail's website. You can pay any charges and arrange delivery from there if the tracking is valid.

theipodkid · 4 Oct 2011 at 20:50

memyselfandi said:
Post 18. The one where you quote the response you received back from the vendor, Horizon Hobby. The one where they say that the package is being held by the postal service and is awaiting payment of charges, (whether they are valid or not in you opinion).

They also say the package has not been returned to them which is what will happen if there is a charge and you don't pay. It is perfectly possible that if the item ordered + shipping comes to >£18 then you will have to pay (unless what you have ordered is zero rated for duty and vat)

Whether or not the original letter mentioned was a scam doesn't actually matter as the way to deal with it in your current situation doesn't involve sending money to Nigeria or whatever.

I've have indicated twice in this thread that (assuming of course you are in the UK as you are not displaying a location) that there is a good chance that something sent from the US via USPS will likely be delivered in the UK by either Royal Mail or Parcel Force. Contact their local depot (PF) and delivery office (RM) covering your postcode. Royal Mail have a number on their site you can call to find out where that is. Parcel Force allow you to search via postcode on their site.

Then phone them up and ask if there is a package for your name and address awaiting payment of customs charges to be delivered. If there is then they will be able to tell you how to pay. You are paying Royal Mail or Parcel Force directly not some dodgy scammer via Western Union.

Worse case is that the original letter was a scam and they don't have your package there with a charge ... you don't pay ... you continue to wait for your package. Best case they do have the package there waiting to be delivered on payment of the charge ... you pay ... get your package.

Alternatively ignore it all ... if there is an unpaid charge then eventually your package should be returned to the Vendor who should ask you what you want done.

I'll take a look on there sites and see.

Bigpops said:
From what I can gather from this post, Horizon Hobby are sending you an ESC, which you say is free, so it's probably a replacement for one that went faulty.

Is that correct?

One question. Why is it coming from Horizon Hobby USA, when they have a service depot here in the UK?

Some additional info. If you have a tracking number, try it on Royal Mail's website. You can pay any charges and arrange delivery from there if the tracking is valid.

Yes that is correct. I emailed the UK one about 2 times via email and I never got any reply so ended up having to contact the USA one.

I don't have a tracking number so can't do that. I've contacted Horizon Hobby today so I'll see what they say then I'll go from there I think. I don't get why if Horizon Hobby are sending me money after I've paid, they can't just pay it from there end. :confused:

Lopéz · 4 Oct 2011 at 22:02

If the item is a free replacement for a faulty/damaged item then it should have been exported by Horizon under the appropriate CPC so that you don't incur further duty/VAT charges.

ajf · 4 Oct 2011 at 23:30

Just an additional point. If it IS a replacement part for a faulty item or has been marked as such then it may genuinely be a letter from Customs and not Parcel Force. I had this happen when something was sent to me marked as warranty return.

The letter basically said they required evidence that the part was a replacement otherwise there may be customs charges to pay dependent on its value.

I'll see if I still have a copy of the letter.

Andrew