To not want to pay 11.32 customs charge on an item costing 18.99!!!!!!

[Polgara2]

Hmmph! Sent for a boxset dvds from BangCD (who I have used several times before without any problems). I hadn't received them so sent them an email about it.
Then this morning postie handed me card saying they wanted 11.32 off me. God its more than half the value of the package! I have checked their website and it says Free Delivery Worldwide' nowhere does it say 'Free Delivery UNLESS your item is over £18 and then its tough titties!!!!
So the question is before I rant at someone - shouldn't their website say somewhere that you may have to pay custom charges? I wouldn't have ordered it if I had known.

Oh I'm not saying that you shouldn't have to pay if that is what the rules say iykwim just that I wasn't aware of it and therefore it should have been pointed out on the website to allow you to make an informed decision on whether to go ahead and order. Don't know if price is on label as I haven't collected it - I would imagine it is though.

Had this happen to me, on 25 quids' worth from the US. Most of the charge is Royal Mail taking their £8 charge for collecting the duty. I knew the person sending mine, so made the post master send it back to her without collecting it. She repackaged it, and resent it as a gift, and it got through without incurring that stupid charge. If you've already collected it, it's too late, I'm afraid.

It is understandable as the items came from Singapore and it should clearly state on the website that there is a risk this could happen. Complain to the website not that you had to pay a customs charge but that they should warn all costumers that it is a possibilty.

I have no problem personally with paying reasonable duties on import stuff. It's the Royal Mail "collection fee" that stuck in my craw, as it is the same whether they are collecting £1.20 or £12,000. It's a relatively new charge, that not very many people know about until they try to import something. It did rather rankle when I was asked for £12.74 on a purchase of £25.

Just to annoy everyone here, but why or how can you expect the website owner to know all the customs charges and rules around the world? He posted them, you imported them. Its your responsibility (as defined by the HMRC) to know what charges you are going to be hit with (and to pay)

Though I agree it is a pain to have such a large charge hit. 8£ is parcel force's fee. Royal mail are I think £4-£7. I was hit twice in the last month, though I knew it was possible - still ouch.

YABU
As wildfish said they don't know and probably aren't aware of importing laws in other countries so suck it up and pay.

Excuse me but if you read my op correctly it says AIBU in not WANTING to pay it!
However, why wouldn't they know - they are a business who deals with shipping goods worldwide.

I stick by my answer, yabu in not wanting to pay it as the reason for importing costs is so that overseas companies are put on equal footing with british companies to ensure we don't buy all our goods from abroad and british companies don't miss out.

Also every country has different rules, limits and tariffs to calculate this amount and just to work it out for uk products is a full time job, the book that lists all the tariff's is kept in 2 binders that are each about 3 inches thick, so imagine they would have one for every country...it's not really feasible is it?

I'm not having a go, honest, just stating my opinion!