RE: UKNM: Import Duty [was: Fulfillment hell, epilogue]

[Ian Fenn]

At 04:44 06/06/00 -0700, Peter Borg wrote:

>Ok, going off-topic slightly, but...

>

>

--- Leslie Bunder <lbunderinfospace [dot] co [dot] uk> wrote:

> > the biggest problem with ignoring those letters is that, when you

> > use the DHL/FedEx services you accept the terms and conditions of

> > the shipping company. so they are within the rights...

>

>I wonder if this applies? As the person being delivered to, I didn't

>select the service provider, it was selected by the company that sent

>me whatever it was that was sent. Consequently, I wonder if they

>really /can/ make the recipient responsible for costs?


Yes.


>I'd be

>suprised if UK law allows this.


You're about to be surprised.


>In theory, you could be held

>responsible for some really ridiculous costs and fees just by

>accepting a delivery.


I recently investigated this at http://www.hmce.gov.uk/ and the recipient

is, under UK law, responsible for paying the VAT on goods imported into

this country.


This is probably the most significant page:


http://www.hmce.gov.uk/notices/702.htm


I looked into this as I purchased Dreamweaver 3 from Macromedia's site and

a month after receiving the software was sent one of the aforementioned

invoices from DHL.


In the end, after a lot of arguing, Macromedia refunded my credit card with

the total of the DHL invoice so that I could pay it. My POV was:


1. I ordered the product after entering via Macromedia's UK site and I felt

that UK visitors should be alerted of any hidden charges.

2. During the ordering process I was actually told that the final page

would show the final amount including tax, shipping, etc.

3. They wouldn't accept the return of the software as 30 days had expired.


I understand that they are now working on the site to ensure that

International customers are aware of the fact it may well be cheaper to buy

the product from a UK reseller.


>Interesting, in the 3 (I think) cases I've recieved these, I just

>ignored them, and haven't heard anything since. Having said that,

>none of the invoices were for more than gbp15 or gbp20 - I doubt it's

>worth the money they'd spend chasing it.


I suggest that you pay the VAT and ignore the handling charge. IMHO the

latter should be included in the fee the sender has paid DHL.


All the best,


--

Ian Fenn

Director, Chopstix Media Limited

http://www.chopstixmedia.com/



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