UK Customs - how to release a package

[CAPP0]

Hope this is the right area; it's kinda law-related.

I bought a watch from someone in the USA, which he sent via USPS and which I've been tracking since. It landed in UK Customs on 28 Sep, seemed to sit there for a few days, and then the tracking stated that there were fees to pay and the recipient (me) was being contacted.

Except - I haven't been, not yet. How long do they take to get these letters out to you? And in the event that someone has put it on a shelf and forgotten to send me a bill, how can I go about shaking them by the shoulders and reminding them? I have looked around the gov.uk site and found an enquiries form, which I completed, only to get an acknowledgement that they will respond to me within FIFTEEN DAYS!

I'm hoping the watch and the process they've applied hasn't slipped down the back of a filing cabinet somewhere in LHR

Edited by CAPP0 on Tuesday 6th October 14:47

[CAPP0]

Greengecko said:

Depending on the size of the package it will have been handed to Royal Mail or ParcelForce.

Phone both and provide a tracking number, you should then be able to pay the Duty (if required) and VAT for it to be released.

Good plan, thanks, I'll try that.

[CAPP0]

Thanks Green, I stuck the USPS tracking number into the Parcelforce site and lo & behold, it found it. Cross-referenced a UK tracking number, and then eventually found a number for the local depot where I was able to pay over the phone. Should be delivered tomorrow.

Cheers again, there's still no sign of a letter, it'll be interesting to see whether that every arrives but it looks like I'll get my parcel now anyway.