UPS and Customs charges

Zzippy · 03-01-2008 12:05pm #1

Hi there
I ordered a photo printed on a large canvas recently from overseas and had it delivered yesterday. The UPS guy wouldn't deliver until I had paid for the tax due.
I don't mind this at all, in fact I was expecting to be checked by customs as it was a large package. The VAT worked out at 13.26 or something like that. On the UPS invoice it also said other charges 13.50, and VAT was charged also on this 13.50. Total came to €29.40 or something like that.
Just wondering does anyone know what this €13.50 charge was for? I had already paid for shipping with the order...

GristlyEnd · 03-01-2008 12:36pm

The €13.50 is the UPS customs clearance/service fee.

Zzippy · 03-01-2008 12:50pm

So they're charging me €13.50 for calculating the VAT on an item and passing it on to Customs? Lot of work there alright. Thieving bastards!

A Dub in Glasgo · 03-01-2008 2:28pm

They are charging you for customs clearance which probably involves opening and inspecting packages then resealing them.

Zzippy · 03-01-2008 3:38pm

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

They are charging you for customs clearance which probably involves opening and inspecting packages then resealing them.

Nope, the original packaging was undamaged. The invoice was on the outside and clearly stated the value of the goods. Like I said, I've no problem paying the tax due. It just looks like UPS calculated the tax due based on the declared value on the invoice and charged me €13.50 for the privilege
AFAIK only Customs officers open packages to inspect the contents. I'm pretty sure they don't charge for their "services" since we already pay tax for that

Our man in Havana · 03-01-2008 8:57pm

Correct. If a customs officer does open it it must be resealed by customs and marked as being inspected. UPS and the other thieving couriers don't open packages they just calculate off the declared value.

MisterAnarchy · 03-01-2008 9:06pm

UPS charge an administration fee of over 16 euro.
DHL only charge 1 euro.
Big difference.

Zzippy · 03-01-2008 11:08pm

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

UPS charge an administration fee of over 16 euro.
DHL only charge 1 euro.
Big difference.

Yep, incl VAT its €16.34, for doing sweet FA. Thieving cnuts

johnfás · 07-01-2008 7:17pm

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

UPS charge an administration fee of over 16 euro.
DHL only charge 1 euro.
Big difference.

In such a circumstance can one not tell UPS where to go and settle with the Revenue directly. The Revenue of course being who you actually owe the money to.

Beano · 07-01-2008 10:52pm

johnfás wrote: »

In such a circumstance can one not tell UPS where to go and settle with the Revenue directly. The Revenue of course being who you actually owe the money to.

well you can tell them where to go but you wont get your parcel.

muckety · 08-01-2008 9:04am

You could tell the company you purchased from that you will not be shopping with them again until they change their courier company or use the Post system. BTW Fedex also charge a similar 'administration' fee.

Slunk · 08-01-2008 9:43am

johnfás wrote: »

In such a circumstance can one not tell UPS where to go and settle with the Revenue directly. The Revenue of course being who you actually owe the money to.

Then your package will go down as refused and be sent back to shipper.

Our man in Havana · 08-01-2008 10:24am

Obviously it suits the Revenue to have couriers colluding in this way so they get their money with no effort. They have to open no parcels and the couriers pay up straight away on behalf of the client. It is a win win situation for both, revenue get their money and the couriers get their admin fees.

rubadub · 09-01-2008 10:19am

It is a brilliant scam in fairness. They could offer really cheap postage, so senders will chose them and not give a crap about the fees at the other end. Charge €5 postage, and then demand €50 in fees. Some people will refuse delivery and the item goes back to the shop at no charge to them (the shop or buyer), if they still want to buy it they can ask for another delivery method, and the seller will increase price accordingly. I reckon the majority will just bite their lip and pay the large fees.

I know a lad who bought an item and it was posted, then he won another auction from the same seller and asked for combined postage. The seller said to refuse the first delivery. So I presume the seller was not charged for the first packet as it never made it. Then he got it back and sent both at a lower cost than both separately.

UPS and Customs charges

Comments