Fed-Ex admin charge, pay up or do one
Discussion
I recently ordered some parts from Japan and the seller arranged shipping by Fed-Ex Intl.
The parts were dispatched and a week or so later were delivered into my recycling wheely bin. Another week or so passed and I then receieved a text message and email from Fed-Ex saying that I needed to pay them the duty of approx £75 quid and their admin fee of £12.50. I had no problem with paying the UK vat duty and had factored this in to my budget before ordering but their admin fee seemed a bit rich and wasnt something I was made aware of needing to pay before they delivered my item unceremoniously into a bin.
I went online and promptly paid the VAT part of their invoice but not their admin fee - I have since received a letter from them stating that I have to pay up or its forwarded onto a debt collection agency.
I have had a look online and theres a couple of template emails to send to them to tell them to jog on which seem to work but was wondering if anyone here had an opinion.
From my point of view, their terms and conditions for any fees etc were arranged between them and the seller deciding to use Fed Ex as the carrier - I was'nt prior forewarned of, nor had agreed to pay any additional fees.
The correspondance consisted of;
1- Email from seller re' shipping confirmation
2- Email from Fed-Ex with a "manage delivery" link and a privacy policy notice. No terms and conditions, no mention of fees etc
3- Email from seller confirming dispatch.
4- Email from Fed-Ex re' package due for delivery today (again, no terms and conditions of accepting the delivery)
5- Email from Fed-Ex later that day to say package delivered to bin (yet again, no fee terms etc)
The invoice in the parcel and label on the box make no mention of any additional fees etc to be paid. If they want to me to pay the additional fees should there have been somewhere in this process where I personally and formally agreed to it before they hand over my parcel?
The parts were dispatched and a week or so later were delivered into my recycling wheely bin. Another week or so passed and I then receieved a text message and email from Fed-Ex saying that I needed to pay them the duty of approx £75 quid and their admin fee of £12.50. I had no problem with paying the UK vat duty and had factored this in to my budget before ordering but their admin fee seemed a bit rich and wasnt something I was made aware of needing to pay before they delivered my item unceremoniously into a bin.
I went online and promptly paid the VAT part of their invoice but not their admin fee - I have since received a letter from them stating that I have to pay up or its forwarded onto a debt collection agency.
I have had a look online and theres a couple of template emails to send to them to tell them to jog on which seem to work but was wondering if anyone here had an opinion.
From my point of view, their terms and conditions for any fees etc were arranged between them and the seller deciding to use Fed Ex as the carrier - I was'nt prior forewarned of, nor had agreed to pay any additional fees.
The correspondance consisted of;
1- Email from seller re' shipping confirmation
2- Email from Fed-Ex with a "manage delivery" link and a privacy policy notice. No terms and conditions, no mention of fees etc
3- Email from seller confirming dispatch.
4- Email from Fed-Ex re' package due for delivery today (again, no terms and conditions of accepting the delivery)
5- Email from Fed-Ex later that day to say package delivered to bin (yet again, no fee terms etc)
The invoice in the parcel and label on the box make no mention of any additional fees etc to be paid. If they want to me to pay the additional fees should there have been somewhere in this process where I personally and formally agreed to it before they hand over my parcel?
Mandat said:
I'm surprised that Fed-Ex delivered the parcel before collecting payment, as they are now having to chase the debt, with the OP having little motivation to pay.
I thought that all couriers required payment up front before delivery to avoid such a situation.
They have done in the past when stuff ive ordered from abroad when delivery was handled by Parcelforce or RoyalmailI thought that all couriers required payment up front before delivery to avoid such a situation.
Ive absolutely no issue with paying the tax to HMRC.
I had not been provided with any terms or conditions of the carriage as it was the seller who selected and arranged the courier. It wasnt something I had any say in or involvement in.
What if they had decided to make the admin charge £1000? As the purchaser I had no prior knowledge of their admin fee or any option to say I had accepted their terms and was happy to pay the charges - they delivered the package then invoiced me after. I could have paid HMRC directly myself as an alternative.
None of their emails or correspondance to me had anything with words to the effect of "by accepting delivery of the package you agree to pay our... " etc or even a link to their terms and conditions of delivering the item. And the seller didnt send anything over for my prior agreement.
It just feels a bit off that any company can send soneone a bill for any amount they choose without any prior agreement to accepting the terms of paying it. At least the shyster parking firms have to a small notice board with their terms on it.
I had not been provided with any terms or conditions of the carriage as it was the seller who selected and arranged the courier. It wasnt something I had any say in or involvement in.
What if they had decided to make the admin charge £1000? As the purchaser I had no prior knowledge of their admin fee or any option to say I had accepted their terms and was happy to pay the charges - they delivered the package then invoiced me after. I could have paid HMRC directly myself as an alternative.
None of their emails or correspondance to me had anything with words to the effect of "by accepting delivery of the package you agree to pay our... " etc or even a link to their terms and conditions of delivering the item. And the seller didnt send anything over for my prior agreement.
It just feels a bit off that any company can send soneone a bill for any amount they choose without any prior agreement to accepting the terms of paying it. At least the shyster parking firms have to a small notice board with their terms on it.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Just pay it and stop being such an absolute melt.
Any courier company will charge for submitting imports to customs. For the amount of work involved £12.50 isn't unreasonable by any means. Or did you think that they would submit everything to HMRC for free? You knew there was import duty likely. Did you think that happened by magic?
Melt? Is that supposed to be some street talk tough guy retort or something?Any courier company will charge for submitting imports to customs. For the amount of work involved £12.50 isn't unreasonable by any means. Or did you think that they would submit everything to HMRC for free? You knew there was import duty likely. Did you think that happened by magic?
No, I assumed I could pay the tax myself online like I do with other tax returns or claims or similar or at least be given the option to.
pork911 said:
You accepted and did not dispute delivery. You need not have actively agreed to terms before or at all. They can impose terms simply by giving you them via email here and or a piece of paper on the package. I would be astonished if they did not.
Theres nothing on their shipping label or any of the correspondance I had with the seller or the subsequent emails from the courier when the item was dispatched. Thats the point Im curious about - can a company charge you for something without your prior knowledge by there being just some implication that you have automatically accepted their terms without an option to decline it. Jordie Barretts sock said:
ShredderXLE said:
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Just pay it and stop being such an absolute melt.
Any courier company will charge for submitting imports to customs. For the amount of work involved £12.50 isn't unreasonable by any means. Or did you think that they would submit everything to HMRC for free? You knew there was import duty likely. Did you think that happened by magic?
Melt? Is that supposed to be some street talk tough guy retort or something?Any courier company will charge for submitting imports to customs. For the amount of work involved £12.50 isn't unreasonable by any means. Or did you think that they would submit everything to HMRC for free? You knew there was import duty likely. Did you think that happened by magic?
No, I assumed I could pay the tax myself online like I do with other tax returns or claims or similar or at least be given the option to.
Stop being such a drip and pay up.
Why on earth did you think FedEx would submit your package for customs inspection free of charge and then you pay online via your Government Gateway login? I assume that's what you meant? Are you registered on your gateway for import/export? No, didn't think so.
So pay up you melt and stop being so obstreporous.
The items were bought through a proxy bidding service for an auction site who also arranged the shipping. So I suppose, yes if I was going to take it further it would need to be directed to them as they decided on who the courior would be. I didnt get any option. I didnt know it was fed-ex until the dispatch notice came through and there definitely werent any terms and conditions sent to me before hand to agree to that I recall (i think depending on the nature of the goods you dont always get much choice on the carrier if some parts are deemed hazardous)
pork911 said:
I would not be able to understand how they remain in business with the approach you suggest, if indeed you have not missed anything
These are the emails they send once the item is ready for dispatch, as I mentioned they dont contain any terms or conditions addressed at me.TVRnutcase said:
I am guessing that this is the frst time possibly that you have bought something from overseas where VAT has been charged?
12.50 is a reasonable charge for the paperwork/admin time etc etc - I couldnt be arsed doing it for this amount - nor could I be arsed having an arguement.
Fedex are pretty good - they deliver the item first - so you get the item in a good timely manner and the paerwork follows - great system, means I am not rushing to get the bill paid.
NOW - Your question - pay up? or do one? Go with the latter - and Fed-ex may actully do nothing, and you have gained 12.50 - BUT dont expect further deliveries - and if there is one - the admin fee will probably be 50.00, a special rate for for people that dont pay the first fee.
Your call as to how much aggravation you want in life....
No, have ordered quite a lot of parts from abroad but its the first time from Fedex. Previously Ive had cards left to pay the duty before they deliver the item or ive gone to the depot and paid the duty at the counter.12.50 is a reasonable charge for the paperwork/admin time etc etc - I couldnt be arsed doing it for this amount - nor could I be arsed having an arguement.
Fedex are pretty good - they deliver the item first - so you get the item in a good timely manner and the paerwork follows - great system, means I am not rushing to get the bill paid.
NOW - Your question - pay up? or do one? Go with the latter - and Fed-ex may actully do nothing, and you have gained 12.50 - BUT dont expect further deliveries - and if there is one - the admin fee will probably be 50.00, a special rate for for people that dont pay the first fee.
Your call as to how much aggravation you want in life....
Mandat said:
You didn't get the option to choose which carrier was used, but that is irrelevant anyway, so its immaterial to your rant.
Irrespective of whether it was Fed-Ex, DHL, UPS, Royal Mail, etc, everyone would have charged an admin fee to process your imported goods, so you would still have had to pay, and most likely upfront before the parcel was delivered.
Not sure where I'm "ranting"?Irrespective of whether it was Fed-Ex, DHL, UPS, Royal Mail, etc, everyone would have charged an admin fee to process your imported goods, so you would still have had to pay, and most likely upfront before the parcel was delivered.
I asked a question in my first post which was;
If they want to me to pay the additional fees should there have been somewhere in this process where I personally and formally agreed to it before they hand over my parcel?
poo at Paul's said:
Admin fees on imported parts have been around for decades, parts from USA, Canada, Japan, ie outside eu, all incurr costs, either paid upfront or normally via parcel force etc on delivery, including admin fees.
12.50 is fair, 20 years ago it was 8 quid to 12 quid.
Since Brexit, import duties also apply from eu, but there are limits where it’s in effect ignored, 50 quid or 150 quid I think.
In answer to your question, I would have paid it, and think you should pay it now. It’s reasonable, if your duty and vat was 75 quid, the parts were a few hundred. What is an extra 12.50 in the scale of things. Pay up and remember such charges exist next time when you budget for stuff.
Noted, and agreed in the grand scheme of things its a really piddly amount. What I feel is a bit off hand in this situation and what im curious about is if hypothetically the amount was substantial. Can any company be in a position where they can charge whatever fees they like to you and the implication is that I am legally obliged to pay it despite having no contract in place with them personally - the terms and conditions of the delivery were accepted by the seller. Where in previous instances like you mention above, I would have been able to refuse to accept the delivery if I had not wanted to accept their admin charges. 12.50 is fair, 20 years ago it was 8 quid to 12 quid.
Since Brexit, import duties also apply from eu, but there are limits where it’s in effect ignored, 50 quid or 150 quid I think.
In answer to your question, I would have paid it, and think you should pay it now. It’s reasonable, if your duty and vat was 75 quid, the parts were a few hundred. What is an extra 12.50 in the scale of things. Pay up and remember such charges exist next time when you budget for stuff.
I suppose it was lucky it wasnt bin collection day as it would be in a recycling centre by now. Probably on fire.
GasEngineer said:
Parcelforce for example charge £12.00. What couriers delivered your other part OP?
Some were via Royalmail, have had Parcelforce previously and there used to be some outfit called UKMail that I doont think exist anymore (as they were utterly terrible) It used to be a card or letter was sent and then for me to pay the tax and either collect the item or they would then arrange the delivery.MickC said:
caziques said:
FedEx need to up their game - imposing a charge after the event is not very clever.
I wouldn't pay either - threats of "debt collectors" are blackmail.
At the very least make sure FedEx incur a lot of time on this matter. I would write to them saying the debt is denied - and please provide evidence where you were informed about the 12.50 amount - perhaps they have some.
No wonder scams work so well, "it was only a few pounds..."
Do that but don't expect FedEx to deliver anything to you in future. They could also presumably go after the auction site or whoever did have a contract with them to deliver, at which point don't expect the auction site to accept your business again either. Your call, but is it worth it for 12.50?I wouldn't pay either - threats of "debt collectors" are blackmail.
At the very least make sure FedEx incur a lot of time on this matter. I would write to them saying the debt is denied - and please provide evidence where you were informed about the 12.50 amount - perhaps they have some.
No wonder scams work so well, "it was only a few pounds..."
Yes if the admin fee WAS 100 or 1000 or whatever you might have a point, but for 12.50?
If I had arranged the shipping personally then I would have been provided with their specific terms and conditions before accepting them and paying it myself but nothing was provided in any direct correspondance to me, I paid for the item with an amount for postage and packing and the seller arranged to the rest. I suppose its muddied a bit further as using a proxy bidder you dont ever deal with the seller directly either.
I also totally get as mentioned above that there is a convenience factor in their business model that gets you the item quicker (even if its in a bin) so maybe they assume they are doing you a favour, albeit with a cost associated and I was more than happy with the auction proxy services in its ease of use and convenience so wouldnt want to lose the ability to use that service again in the future.
eccles said:
I can guarantee if he's buying from Japan (like he's done many times before) the auction site and proxy service will say the same thing, about they are not responsible for import duties or fees. I guarantee that the OP will have paid handling fees before so I really don't see why he kicking up such a fuss over this one.
Have ordered a few bits from Japan over the last couple of years, but this is the first time Ive used a proxy site as a lot of the Japanese auction sites dont generally allow overseas bidders to bid directly. Ive bought lots of items from abroad from Europe and the US though - either via ebay, amazon or direct from the seller and some Ive been given notice and had to pay upfront before delivery, others nothing - this may have been included in the total sale and shipping price or arranged to be paid the seller if that is an option they have? But whether Japan, US and even Europe now shouldnt be any different now right?egor110 said:
So contact Fedex and tell them your not paying so come pick it up ( you won't )
Go back to the original company and tell them as you paid the carriage to them and they took on a 3rd party to actually ship the item they should pay the admin fee.
Fedex are totally doing you a favour by delivering it then claiming the admin fee vs them receiving the item then billing you waiting payment then delivering it , in the old days your stuff would be held in for you to pay any duty before it was even released to the delivery company so the fact the delivery companies pay your fees to get the parcel thru customs and out to you quicker is a massive benefit to the customer.
Of course I wont. Why on earth would I tell them to come and pick up the parts? They're parts I wanted. Go back to the original company and tell them as you paid the carriage to them and they took on a 3rd party to actually ship the item they should pay the admin fee.
Fedex are totally doing you a favour by delivering it then claiming the admin fee vs them receiving the item then billing you waiting payment then delivering it , in the old days your stuff would be held in for you to pay any duty before it was even released to the delivery company so the fact the delivery companies pay your fees to get the parcel thru customs and out to you quicker is a massive benefit to the customer.
b
hstewie said:
hstewie said: You seem to want the stuff you've paid for without wanting to pay Fedex for the service they've provided.
Seems fair to let Fedex pick up the goods and once it's all been sorted out who pays the admin fee you get the stuff you ordered.
Maybe I should have replaced the word Fed-Ex with Joe Bloggs Ltd and the fee as £XXX as it seems to be muddying the answer to the question I was looking for.Seems fair to let Fedex pick up the goods and once it's all been sorted out who pays the admin fee you get the stuff you ordered.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: I think your opening post sets out the question and the answer you were hoping for.
I just don't think the thread has gone quite the way you wanted it to so now you're trying to claim it was always about the principle.
This is the question in my original post, no?I just don't think the thread has gone quite the way you wanted it to so now you're trying to claim it was always about the principle.
"If they want to me to pay the additional fees should there have been somewhere in this process where I personally and formally agreed to it before they hand over my parcel"
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