To think I’ve been scammed here - duty dhl

[Lennon80]

I’ve recently bought a bag for the bridge treated myself but bought in the sale but an expensive purchase! I’ve had a text from dhl saying I have to pay over 85 pounds in ‘duty’ taxes before they can deliver it?! The website said free shipping.. I’m confused! Anyone had anything similar happen to them?

Don't pay anything on that link! Use any emails you've had and check that way first, or at least check the details match before you pay!

Scam.
I had this message but hadn’t ordered anything!

I would contact The Bridge Customer Care.

Whilst the UK Import VAT and Duties are payable, the Bridge FAQs and Delivery terms suggest their pricing is VAT inclusive and they make no reference to a UK customer being liable to pay the UK Import VAT and Duties for products over the Low Value Exemption.

Theyll probably just say tough but worth a shot asking.

Many online retailers make it super clear in their FAQs and Delivery terms that you’ll have to pay Import VAT and Duties so at the very least, you’re flagging that this is unclear to their customer services and hopefully preventing it happening to someone else.

I live in Spain and ordered something from the UK which cost €57. The admin bill from correos was €53! The item was free shipping but stupidly I didn’t check re taxes. If they aren’t mentioned you will have to pay them. I just told correos to keep the item, contacted the company in the uk and they sent a new item to a friend who is coming to stay who will bring it with her.

yay for brexit.

It works the other way too. I’ve told my family not to post anything to France because even with a gift declaration the French don’t understand and try to charge duty.

So the company have lost €57 due to your mistake? I thinks that’s unfair and quite CF of you.

I think it could be a scam I'd check with DHL

I wouldn’t follow any links, and I’d wait and see if the bag arrives and what (if anything) is said. Probably a scam email

I have had messages from DHL when I haven't even ordered anything. I wouldn't pay it and wait and see if it comes.
Also change your passwords.

If the goods are wholly produced in the EU there should be an origin statement on the invoice that would mean no duty is applicable, so OP should check the invoice when they receive the parcel and try to claim it back from DHL.
The VAT and the administration for clearances will still be payable though, unfortunately.

Message DHL through chat.

Definitely don't pay anything through a text message. I've had DHL scam ones before

I think that you have to pay vat if we are in the EU or not.
I buy wholesale from lots of UK companies and have to pay 20% vat.
Import charges are different and some may have gone up but everything is charged vat (except food/baby clothes & a few exemptions).

@Lennon80 I work for DHL but in a head office function so not up on the actual T&Cs of import and duty. If the item was of high value from EU then yes likely a duty charge. But please check which DHL entity is delivering your parcel - express, parcel etc and then find their customer service online. Customer service are usually very good and can make sure they sort your query and whether your text is genuine or not. Alternatively if you have a DHL Service point near by you can pop in there - not the Ryman type. There are many scams with this type of link.

With VAT and duty of 2% for a bag (assuming not made in EU) you're looking at around £62 on a £300 item, plus a fee for the customs declaration

Also look for incoterms on the invoice if it says DDP / Delivered Duty Paid then the exporter should be paying this rather than the importer.

This is what it says in terms and conditions

3. Prices The purchase prices of the The Bridge products will be specific for each country from which the order arrives and will include any taxes due. The Bridge may apply special promotions to one or more products on the website that alter their prices. The essential characteristics of the products and prices are provided on the product sheet on the website, to which the user must gain access before executing the order. The images of the products might not fully match the actual products.
4. Shipments Costs for shipping the product will be borne by the user of the e-commerce service, and they will be explicitly indicated at the time the product is purchased. The Bridge undertakes to enter into a shipping contract with a primary company as the user's appointee, taking the conditions the carrier applies into account. The user:

• may specify that the purchase be shipped to an address other than that of the account holder of the order and/or that specified for billing (however within the borders of the same country);
• must specify a shipping address where someone is always available to collect the package. If someone is not at the address indicated for collection, an address other than that of residence where the required condition is met must be indicated;
• The Bridge will normally process the order within 48 hours after receiving payment confirmation. The estimated time for delivery depends on the carrier selected. Once shipment has been made, The Bridge will also automatically send an email containing all information the user needs to track the order, including the direct link to the portal of DHL or the other carrier selected for immediate checking of the delivery status. In any case, The Bridge is not responsible for non-delivery and/or delayed delivery of the package if the collection procedure described above is not observed or if the customer has provided incorrect information;
• if the items ordered are not delivered within 10 business days from the order confirmation data, the user may personally contact the The Bridge customer service department. The order status and/or shipment status will be verified through the shipping company. In any case, the products will be delivered in the shortest time possible and within the legal deadline (i.e., pursuant to Art. 61 of the Italian Consumer Code, 30 days from the Delivery Date). To check which countries to which shipments can be sent, click here [?].

It’s made in EU

@VeniVidiWeeWee oh dear. Maybe if you’d checked your “facts” before voting we wouldn’t be in this mess 🙄

Yeah except it doesn't do any of that

I ordered a bag worth of £175 from Germany. DHL delivered it. No paymemt asked in any point.

Yes it's a bitch! My sister sent me a lovely, but not unique, scarf from Mexico. The import duty was £29, plus a handling fee of £6. Told her next time to say value was under £30!

Some retailers include customs duty in the price of their products.

Lennon80 - A quick Google shows at least 14 British Designer bag brands.

Italy is unrivalled in terms of quality and craftsmanship - so basically what you are saying is as a British consumer we have to just buy British even if it’s worse quality? Think I’d have rather just stayed in the largest free trading block in the world tbh. Whatever you think the benefits of brexit are the cost has been catastrophic- we export also don’t forget!

The low value limit is currently £135 so anything under this shouldn't be paying VAT or duty as long as the correct customs procedure code is used.