DHL customs charge before item even in the UK

Nick1881

Nick1881

Nick1881

Soldato
Joined
4 Feb 2007
Posts
9,899
Location
Nuneaton, UK
I bought something online last night, a USB to SPDIF converter from China directly from the manufacturers shop site.

They sent me an email at 3 AM saying the order was 'processing'.

I just received a text now from DHL saying I have to pay £14 duty and VAT, I didn't click the link in the text, instead entered the reference number in at dhl.co.uk and it shows a parcel in China destined for Nuneaton, when I went to pay it also had my name as the account.

I'm just surprised that I have to pay before the thing even hits UK soil, it's not like customs have got their hands on it yet. Is this just DHL making a few extra £? Anyone else had this?
 
So it means there's no chance it will slip through customs without charge, bit annoying. I have found other items get through ok. Though this one was fairly expensive.
 
I guess the plus side it that it won't delay it later on, if they held it in the UK waiting for payment, now it will go straight on the van.

Estimated for delivery on Tuesday and I'm off work next week, so will be able to have a play.

Delivery was free and looks fairly quick so I can't complain too much.
 
Some purchases from Amazon.com the actual duty and tax added during checkout, but if it end up over their estimate, they would stump it up, and if it's less, they refund you.

Pretty good if you ask me.
 
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