DHL Clearance Delay - requesting 'proof of purchase' for customs?

makeorbrake

As per the thread title - ordered something online - from China (where else!).

Now in Shannon - and DHL tell me it's been seized by customs - they won't release until I provide proof of purchase.


This seems to be a new development - at least - never used to happen before (admittedly have not ordered up much kit in the last while but used to do on a regular basis - up until last year).

Anyone else come across this?

sheehan12

customs probably whant some tax on it when it outside the eu. or you bought sumthing that is illegal to have in ireland ?

rubadub

I have had to send in paypal receipts, and know others who have too.

They might not have a clue how to value the item, sometimes they will just make up a value, especially if you/the seller tried to pull a scam and put a really low value on it.

Celeron Media

As per the thread title - ordered something online - from China (where else!).

Now in Shannon - and DHL tell me it's been seized by customs - they won't release until I provide proof of purchase.


This seems to be a new development - at least - never used to happen before (admittedly have not ordered up much kit in the last while but used to do on a regular basis - up until last year).

Anyone else come across this?

Yeah I have the same problem with DHL every 3 weeks. Myself and the customs reps are on first name basis at this stage.
Some sellers from China do under value packages and If the customs officers or customs reps are in doubt of the value they will ask the importer to send a copy of the invoice such as a PayPal receipt, bank statement etc...

Just send it onto them by email and wait few days for them to get finger out to clear the package and send it out for delivery and collect the VAT. Also check the VAT is correct before paying, DHL are known for overcharging on VAT.

makeorbrake

Ok, thanks all. The vendor had decreased the amount - not by request - from what I recollect - they have always done it (regardless of which one I used).


This is the first time customs have queried it. The actual cost breaks down as follows;


$115.00 USD
Shipping and handling $39.70 USD
Tax $4.60 USD
Total $159.30 USD

What should customs (or dhl) be charging on the basis of the above?

Stokolan

makeorbrake wrote: »

Ok, thanks all. The vendor had decreased the amount - not by request - from what I recollect - they have always done it (regardless of which one I used).


This is the first time customs have queried it. The actual cost breaks down as follows;


$115.00 USD
Shipping and handling $39.70 USD
Tax $4.60 USD
Total $159.30 USD

What should customs (or dhl) be charging on the basis of the above?

Possibly about €45 based on 21% vat 6% duty and a €10 administration fee.

But then my maths is terrible

Celeron Media

Roughly about €28.98 + admin fee which might be €1 in this case. No customs duty should be due on that value.
You shouldn't be paying tax in China either it's outside the EU.

makeorbrake

Celeron Media wrote: »

Roughly about €28.98 + admin fee .....You shouldn't be paying tax in China either it's outside the EU.

Does the fact that I have paid tax in China mean they shouldnt apply any tax here?

Celeron Media

Does the fact that I have paid tax in China mean they shouldnt apply any tax here?

No unfortunately your still going to have pay the 23% vat rate here in Ireland. You do have the option to pay before the goods are imported but it's still going to be the same rate.

mathepac

Stokolan wrote: »

Possibly about €45 based on 21% vat 6% duty and a €10 administration fee.

But then my maths is terrible

23% VAT?

aujopimur

The couriers usually charge €30 admin..

makeorbrake

aujopimur wrote: »

The couriers usually charge €30 admin..

wtf? If that comes up, I'll reverse the whole process and get a refund through paypal.

Celeron Media

The couriers usually charge €30 admin..

What??

Elaine Murphy

Well first of all this is going on for a long time, I order from China all the time and DHL seize it by customs and ask for PayPal invoices etc... So that they can charge you customs and excise of 23% over €25 as far as I remember (My orders do be over €100 each time so its irrelevant to unless I order under that amount). So thats why it has been seized they don't believe what price is on the invoice and want you to pay them to allow the items to go to u.

If however you do pay the customs and excise do get a receipt from the courier because I never did on one occasion and I am being accused of not paying it and they are sending letters from solicitors to pay them again (Not going to happen, but just to cover yourself)

The Customs and excise is basically Payable if you are getting anything from outside the EU and its rate is 23% as Celeron Media pointed out in their post.

Getting onto the point about the admin fees. It is not €30 or anyway near it with DHL its a standing rate of about €5 if u have to pay VAT ONLY.

If you have any other question don't be afraid to ask

Nody

aujopimur wrote: »

The couriers usually charge €30 admin..

The maximum charge a courier company can charge is 15 EUR for the service of declaring it and collecting VAT...

pleasant Co.

aujopimur wrote: »

The couriers usually charge €30 admin..

bullshit

Stokolan

mathepac wrote: »

Stokolan wrote: »

Possibly about €45 based on 21% vat 6% duty and a €10 administration fee.

But then my maths is terrible

23% VAT?

Guess I'm still living in the past

makeorbrake

After it being held up in customs for over 1 week, item now received - along with a bill for 'import vat' of €49.98.


That's exactly how it's described on the form I've just signed.
The item cost $159.30. According to xe.com that equals €121.76.

If 23% VAT is applied, that should be an additional €28.

€49.96-€28=€21.96

What is the charge of €21.96 for exactly?

rubadub

makeorbrake wrote: »

The item cost $159.30.

Does that include postage? was it a courier? (who typically charge more than an post for processing)

makeorbrake

rubadub wrote: »

Does that include postage? was it a courier? (who typically charge more than an post for processing)

Yes - it includes postage/delivery ->
$115.00 USD
Shipping (DHL) and handling $39.70 USD
Tax $4.60 USD
Total $159.30 USD

rubadub

I would imagine their exchange rate is slightly worse than XE. The max handling is €15. You are below the level for duty.

The only other extra charges I know of would be for excisable stuff, like perfume.

Unless they did not believe your valuation, or if other charges were listed on the invoice and wrongly applied.

makeorbrake

rubadub wrote: »

I would imagine their exchange rate is slightly worse than XE. The max handling is €15. You are below the level for duty.

The only other extra charges I know of would be for excisable stuff, like perfume.

Unless they did not believe your valuation, or if other charges were listed on the invoice and wrongly applied.

I've emailed them - asking for clarification. Their 'receipt of shipment' is vague - in that it itemises the amount under 'import VAT'. However, that can't possibly be the case. They initially disputed the amount - as the chinese vendor had provided a hookey invoice with the shipment (not at my request I hasten to add). The calculation can only be based on the total sum I mentioned above - as I provided them with a copy of the paypal email confirming that amount.

I can only assume that this must be going on - on a wholesale basis. No doubt I will not get a response from dhl on this initially - but I will be following it up to a full conclusion. I would encourage others to do likewise.

makeorbrake

I've just got this response back from DHL to my query;

"Please be advise that taxes is calculated on the full CIF (Cost of good, insurance if applicable, freight) value of the goods. You Paypal receipt only provide the total value of the goods."

I've responded - pointing out that the paypal receipt is INCLUSIVE of all costs - including delivery - and asking once again for a breakdown in their calculation of the amount of €49.96

5500

Looks like they are charging you an "estimated" shipping cost from their reply and that's how your invoice was higher. Ive lost track of the amount of times I've had/still am having the same argument with fedex.

Basically revenue say that a shipping value of 0 cannot be declared on the invoice even if it was included in the total cost of your purchase. The import agents then randomly calculate a figure based on the weight of the item you received on what they assume it would cost to ship, and add this to your total invoice.

makeorbrake

5500 wrote: »

Looks like they are charging you an "estimated" shipping cost from their reply and that's how your invoice was higher. Ive lost track of the amount of times I've had/still am having the same argument with fedex.

That's exactly what they are saying! (as per the last email which I just received from them).

5500 wrote: »

Basically revenue say that a shipping value of 0 cannot be declared on the invoice even if it was included in the total cost of your purchase. The import agents then randomly calculate a figure based on the weight of the item you received on what they assume it would cost to ship, and add this to your total invoice.

Both the receipt issued by the vendor and the paypal receipt clearly itemise a shipping cost - as part of the total sum which I paid over for the item. I've now brought this to their attention - and waiting on their response....

makeorbrake

Got a response from them saying that the ' receipt they had on file ' didn't itemise shipping. I only sent them ONE paypal receipt - which clearly itemised shipping.

Have sent that on to them once again - and awaiting their response.

If anyone is reading this - be sure to challenget this bullsh1t! This is clearly a revenue stream for them.

makeorbrake

Asked for a recalculation - and havn't heard back from the person I was dealing with in DHL. Now when I email them, the mail bounces back as undelivered (despite having corresponded via that address successfully last week).....strange.

Mail forwarded on to ie.imports@dhl.com . Out of principal alone, I will be following up on this until the VAT calculation is revised.

makeorbrake

Still no answer from them. ....

makeorbrake

Guy from DHL finally responded (obviously, someone internally had forwarded on the other mails I sent to imports and a couple of others in there). Says amended VAT calculation submitted to customs. Once it is approved, they will credit me the difference.

I responded to that mail - and unlike earlier today, when I was getting 'delivery failure notice' on mails sent to him - there was no issue with the last mail I've just sent him....go figure....:rolleyes:

NOTICE TO ALL OF YOU WHO ENCOUNTER THIS SAME ISSUE WITH DHL

Challenge them on this! They are ripping you off otherwise.

makeorbrake

I'm still waiting....

I asked for an update and was told that "the officer (for Revenue) is out of the office and she will give me (DHL) an update upon her return".

If that's the truth, then it's astounding. The mail was left openended. I responded by saying I will be in touch on Friday.


If your in this position - DONT let them off the hook with this - regardless of the sum. Out of principal, I will not let this go - and nor should anyone else!

recipio

I agree, as a general principle you can't trust couriers or the customs/excise dept.
I've had dollars turned into euros and ( succesfully ) appealed a grossly high customs charge.
The trouble is the delivery guy arrives at your door and most of us havn't the exact figure worked out in advance. You are not going to argue with the man so best to pay and then work out the charges.