Shipping/Customs charges. Aaaaarrrgh!

hippy [quote]phunkymunky Just a little info as far as i know....
The courier pays the custom charges on the customers behalf and then invoices the customer for reinbursement plus their admin fees etc.
A year or so ago a friend ordered stuff from the USA, just a few clothes, and got stung by whatever courier was used for customs charges and the courier handling charge/fees etc. She wrote back to the courier saying she never wanted them to pay to pay her charges and she would have paid the customs charge directly if given the chance so she said she wouldn't pay their handling/admin fees and sent a cheque for the customs charge only, she never heard back from the courier. Could save you some cash

But, if you order something and the courier pays the duty, you are then forced to turn up to their depot and pay the charges. They wont deliver the item without you first paying duty and their charges. It's fscking bollox!!![/quote]

It was several (4 or 5) years ago but as far as I remember the parcel was delivered as normal ie by the postie then a couple of days later an invoice turned up charging for the customs/delivery so she got round it that way. With the explosion of ebay and internet commerce I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have the opportunity these days so it probably is "fscking bollocks!!!"

phunkymunky