Custom Charges - Any Experience?

[MartinMW]

Hi all,

I have just received a relatively low cost item that I ordered from Japan (£40 ish) A 16mm GS watch buckle.

There was a full and proper declaration by the vendor, which is absolutely fine, and there is a ‘Customs Charge’ sticker on the envelope, which give a full breakdown of the charges it has attracted (£15 ish, vat and RM handling fee)

The sticker does say ‘not to be delivered until charge has been paid’

The package was delivered to me this morning without any charge being asked for.

My question is, will I get a follow up request from HMRC to pay this charge?

Not sure if this has happened to anyone else and they have experience of this?

Cheers
Martin

[Bonzodog]

Yes I’ve had this before,normally a letter arrives outlining how to pay.

[MartinMW]

Yes I’ve had this before,normally a letter arrives outlining how to pay.

Ah, thanks. I shall wait and see if I get any follow up correspondence.

Cheers
Martin

[Boeingdriver]

Got hit for £40ish for My Casio G Lide from Japan Royal Mail are getting wise to watch transactions.

[Kingstepper]

Never heard of RM delivering w/o charges being paid first but some carriers do and then get a follow up request from them (not HMRC).

[MartinMW]

Never heard of RM delivering w/o charges being paid first but some carriers do and then get a follow up request from them (not HMRC).

That’s interesting to know. I have been charged before by other couriers, after delivery.

The thing that puzzled me was the specific instruction on the Charges sticker ‘ not to deliver until charges had been paid’ now bearing in mind that in excess of 50% of those charges are RM’s handling fees, I just wonder if they’ve made a mistake and just delivered it.

Oh well, time will tell and I’m more than happy to pay the fees.

Cheers
Martin

[mart broad]

They have been accepting online payments due to Covid and sorting offices being closed but i had a note from the postie with the online details

[DMC102]

I had a Royal Mail "Fee to Pay" card through the door earlier in the week for an item that had attracted a customs charge and handling fee.

This directed me to the RM website to pay the costs and choose a day for delivery.

[MartinMW]

Thanks chaps for the input.

Looks like I’ll just have to wait and see if any follow up request for the fees arrives.

If not, then I’ve been lucky :-)

Cheers
Martin