Parcelforce clearance fee - help!

[apeZ]

I ordered an item from the US a few weeks ago, costing around £30. I knew that this would be subject to import duty.

I've just received an invoice from Parcelforce saying that they are holding my item until I pay the Import VAT (£8.48). This is fine.

However, they also want me to pay a 'Clearance Fee' at £13.50. This means that I'm paying for more than 2/3 of the item cost in fees, which is ludicrous.

I was never informed of this Clearance Fee charge before or during purchase. What is the legality of this? A quick google seems to suggest that it can be contested.

Anyone able to shed some light on this?

 

[daz]

Did you order your item to a business address (e.g. to work)?

 

[djc_2005]

never heard of this before but came across this;
Linky

and this one

hope they help and hope you can stick that fee where the sun dont shine!

 

[apeZ]

Did you order your item to a business address (e.g. to work)?

No, home address. It is been held at the depot which is ~40min drive away.

 

[danza]

I thought you had to pay it whether you like it or not?

 

[apeZ]

I thought you had to pay it whether you like it or not?

That's the impression I'm getting, but I'm dubious about a £13.50 charge on a £30 item, especially one that I was not made aware of, nor consented to.

 

[PhillyDee]

Good luck trying to contest it. They will just laugh at you and refuse to release it, or do what they did to me, and charged it anyway despite me telling them they could not (over the phone). A complaint resolved nothing.

It is illegal for them to hold your mail to ransom, but the government says its perfectly acceptable.

 

[Martynt74]

Its not really their concern though when the item is £15 or £2000 it'll just probably be a standard handling fee which seems fair enough as it causes them extra hassle.

 

[PhillyDee]

Its not really their concern though when the item is £15 or £2000 it'll just probably be a standard handling fee which seems fair enough as it causes them extra hassle.

What extra hassle? Why should you pay for delivery twice?

 

[Martynt74]

I'm sure its usually the delivery company who pay the import duty on your behalf which in itself is a hassle.

 

[apeZ]

Think I might just send it back

 

[PhillyDee]

You will still have to pay the parcelforce and import fees.

 

[apeZ]

You will still have to pay the parcelforce and import fees.

No I won't.

"We will hold your parcel for 20 days after the date of this letter, after which your parcel will be returned to the sender".

 

[Brookert]

Didn't we cover this in another thread that is it against the law for them to withhold a parcel just because of import duty? I'm probably wrong on that........

Dont the other couriers just pay it and you pay them back? Parcel Force are one of the worst by far

 

[Woden]

How on earth can you be charged for a service you haven't agreed to?
How about I clamp some poor guys car, wash the windscreen, and not unclamp 'til I get my fiver?

 

[MrMoonX]

they paid the duty for you and they pass on their "admin" cost onto you, there is no getting out of it, pay it or don't buy stuff abroad

 

[[TW]Fox]

That's the impression I'm getting, but I'm dubious about a £13.50 charge on a £30 item, especially one that I was not made aware of, nor consented to.

Why is the cost of the item relevant? The costs incurred by the courier are the same whether its 30 quid or 300 quid?

 

[sHo0sH]

You have to get it marked as a GIFT Value no more than $35

 

[arknor]

Why is the cost of the item relevant? The costs incurred by the courier are the same whether its 30 quid or 300 quid?

there is no costs to them its all pure profit parcelforce have a reputation for encouraging customs to inspect the packets...

they also seem to be the courier which incurs the most customs inspections so im guessing true

 

[K@rl]

I have this currently from from another courier too.

£3 duty and a £10 "admin" fee. The letters to date have been filed in the bin. I have my parcel... what can they do really.