Crazy customs charge?

Can someone advise me what to do about a customs charge that seems excessive? The facts are:

• Ordered dvds from Amazon.com a few weeks ago. Total cost charged to me (including shipping) was €53.30.
• Got a notice from An Post this morning saying I can pick up my package from one of their depots once I pay a customs charge of €52.56.

I've read leaflet PN 1179 and I realise there are charges and VAT payable on items over €22, which I accept. But I cannot see how the total charge could be more than about €15, max.

What should I do?

• Can I tell them to return the goods to sender and get a credit (except for shipping)? Or do they not return goods if there is a charge due?
• Can I query the charge and get it reduced (if incorrect) before I collect the dvds?
• Should I pay the charge and query it later?

I assume there is absolutely no point in going to collect them now as the guy at the depot will have no say on the charge. But I don't have enough information on the delivery notice to query the charge now.

Any suggestions on best action and who to contact? I'm quite happy to pay a correct charge (assuming 100% charge is wrong!)

Cheers.

I think this is my last order from Amazon. Too much hassle. Pity, because I've got quite a few items from them previously.

Cheers.

the guide below seems to explain it, your charge of €52.56 seem incorrect though.

Inv Price = X
Post Price = X
Total for Duty = €53.30
Customs Duty @ 12% = €6.40
Vat on €59.70 @ 21% = €12.54
Handling Fee = €5.00

Total Due €23.94 - i'm not sure where their figure came from but you can always query it or have it rechecked.

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Thanks a lot for this susie1.

I hadn't seen this leaflet and it is very clear and useful.

I checked the TARIC link for DVDs too, and it seems that the duty on those should be 3.5%, which would reduce the charge to €18.55.

Bit more reasonable than €52 if I can get it sorted!

Thanks again.

Contact An Post and ask them to e-mail you the calculation (copy of their invoice to you), you'll see the breakdown on this.

Update: Made a few calls to Customs and an Post in Dublin, Portlaoise and Athlone. It's always hard to find the right person who can help you.

In fairness, everyone I spoke to did their best to point me in the right direction and a guy in Athlone called me back, took the scanty details I have and went off to check into it. He called back again to say the charge should be €16.04 and said he will call the guys in the Dublin sorting office to tell them what the right charge should be. Very helpful and civil of him.

W're all quick to complain about poor service so I must say this guy was really very good. In fact when I first called I couldn't get through but he saw a missed call and rang me back on the number displayed! That's almost unheard of.

It'll be a day or two before I can get out to the sorting office but hopefully I'll get the package for the correct charge. At least I don't feel annoyed any more.

Final update: Collected package and paid charges of €16.04 as agreed. This was VAT and €5 handling charge. No duty.

Guy at the sorting office said a lot of packages are incurring charges recently.

He also said I could ring them and they'd have it delivered to me and I could pay the postman.

Overall, the service was pretty efficient in fairness. It's a pity the limit is so low. €22 is next to nothing. Bit unfair that the average punter buying small items is penalised 'cos local businesses are complaining. The world has changed and some element of free trade should be allowed.

Jethro said:

Overall, the service was pretty efficient in fairness. It's a pity the limit is so low. €22 is next to nothing. Bit unfair that the average punter buying small items is penalised 'cos local businesses are complaining. The world has changed and some element of free trade should be allowed.

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i guess you always buy your dvd etc and get them posted seperate to keep the value under the limit.