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Scam or Rip Off

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Tailendcharley:
 :D Hi all,   About a month ago I bought a Nintendo DS on the Internet from a Company based in Hong Kong...I paid for it and chose DHL as the prefered carrier to deliver the said item...the Nintendo duly arrived 2/3 days later and all was well in my household,we were a happy and contented family...however...yesterday I received an invoice from DHL asking me for £10.17 to cover some form of import tax, the details of which I am unable to fathom due to their computerised coded invoice. Anyone out there gone through a similar experience or is this a scam or some form of rip off.....any replies would be appreciated.... :( :(

xmob:
I'm afriad that's normal for DHL (and UPS).  With normal surface post, you take your chances.  Sometimes you won't get charged import duty, sometimes you will.  DHL declare everything that passes through them.

Disco Matt:
It's legit, but highly unethical IMHO. The VAT imposed by Highwaymen Customs and Excise is bad enough, but then you get downright punitive "admin" charges from carriers on top. It's not as if you've had the chance to pay duty in advance and tried to dodge it, so what gives them the right to effectively punish you for buying from overseas?

carbore:
Its legit.

I think.....Basically you have not paid VAT on the item as it bought outside the EU. DHL and UPS etc have paid the VAT for you and now charge it back id imagine you are paying the VAT if you work out the numbers etc. LIke they say, you may or may not get clobbered. its one one those things that  you need to remember if buying outside the EU.

Bouncy:
like the others have said thsi is par for the course. I know cos i used to buy direct from my suppplier and import in Thailand (gemstones)
When we used standard mail there was no real issue but UPS and DHL are preferential high speed guys and you do get stung for what equates to the vat on the value of the item. my advice would be to bite the bullet . I'm pretty sure they declare this on their websites too.

Enjoy

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