i was charged duty an vat weeks after paying for my items

[dee2912]

hi i bought a few items from china payed for them got them delivered an a few weeks after i received a letter from DHL saying i owe them 23.65 how come an do i have to pay them

[kempie]

"how come" - you have imported goods from China which atttract import duty and VAT.

"do i have to pay them" - DHL have paid Customs the Duty and VAT for which you are legally liable. They paid on your behalf to enable you to receive your goods. DHL are now asking you to reimburse them that money.

www.dhl.co.uk/about_duty_and_vat

[BenDToy]

This applies to all goods which are supplied from outside the EU. Something which you need to be aware of when you bid for items on ebay. It happened to me when I bought some American football kit from the Green Bay Packers web site, and also for some corporate gifts my employer sent to my home address. (However I did anticipate the possibility in both cases!)

[kags]

I am surprised DHL delivered them to you without getting payment first - the Post Office request payment before they release the goods, and slap an admin fee on top too.