Import Duty

Latest update on import Duty and VAT.

VAT is sorted for most couriers (well DHL and FedEx) as postponed VAT accounting. This is mostly automatic.

For duty we have an HMRC account now, all works. We advised DHL and they were helpful which was shocking. We have now received our first import delivery with duty, albeit £7.25. Emails from DHL about it. Statement from HMRC. I expect the direct debit soon from HMRC. ZERO ADMIN FEE from DHL.

This is finally clean, and no stupid admin fees. DHL for the win. Well done.

I have emailed FedEx and they are struggling to handle it, so yeh, not good. Hopefully we sort with them soon.

But DHL are still arseholes, sorry.

Before this import was one with £5.76 duty, which sort of kicked off sorting this all. They invoiced £5.76 plus a £5 admin fee.

To be clear, we have no contract with DHL, their contract is with the sender.

What is extra fun is when they told us, before delivery, we said "but we have a duty deferment account at HMRC" (not realising this needed setting up in advance with DHL), but also advising our published terms which state a charge of £20+VAT admin fee for payment demands from couriers.

Even after that they delivered - in my view that means they have accepted our terms.

Invoice for £10.76

However, being generous, and as they had actually been helpful getting the duty account all sorted, I confirmed we would pay the £10.76 and checked bank details for this. We paid it on 9th Nov, including the £5 admin fee we never agreed. We quoted the reference they asked us to.

Note, if you pay A&A with right reference it appears in your A&A account in seconds, you are immediately emailed a statement, and if clearing an overdue debt your services are instantly re-instated, 24/7 automatically. Handling incoming payments (especially if they have the correct payment reference) is not hard, honest.

Threat of legal action

Today (13th) I get a threat off legal action for £10.76. Yes, the £10.76 I generously paid (generous as it included £5 I never contracted for or agreed).

You can imagine the reply I have now sent...

Fucking arseholes!