Money owed

[luca1]

Hi, I moved from Australia 3 months ago.

I was charged VAT on my own personal items posted over to me. I was told by parcelforce I was not entitled to pay VAT on my own items and I should pay the fee and fill out a C3 form and get a refund.

I paid the fee, filled out a C3 form and sent it to UKBA Coventry International Hub.

This was over 7 weeks ago and have heard no reply.

I call them only to be charged for the call then get a message saying "All our lines are busy, call again later", then I am disconnected. I have spent nearly 20 pounds in calls over last week.

Does anyone here have any advice for me, I am really frustrated at this point and every department of the UKBA or parcelforce I call passes me on to another which is no help to me :(

Thanks for your time

Regards
:Luca1

[apple]

when i had a similar problem i talked to revenue and customs, they sent me a form
hope that helps a bit, have to say they were very helpful, just phoned them explained what happened, all sorted

UPS were my carriers they were crap, avoid at all costs

[luca1]

when i had a similar problem i talked to revenue and customs, they sent me a form
hope that helps a bit, have to say they were very helpful, just phoned them explained what happened, all sorted

UPS were my carriers they were crap, avoid at all costs

Yeah I filled out the C3 form and sent it to the UKBA 8 weeks ago now but have recieved no reply.

I emailed Parcel Force asking for help stating my situation and I got back an email saying "Sorry you cannot claim for loss or damage for your parcel in the UK".

Clearly they never even read my email cause I never said my parcel was lost, stolen or damaged! Dicks..

I ring customs every single day 4 or 5 times and everytime the message say "sorry we are too busy, call again later" !! Well I call again later and get the same thing and I'M PAYING FOR THESE f***ing CALLS!!

*breathes* excuse me, I'm really getting frustrated. I think the next step is to rock up somewhere in person and cause a massive scene, and trust me, I'm really good at that ;)

If anyone else can suggest anything I would be really grateful :)

Thanks
:Luca

[taless]

Hi Luca1,

Welcome to the UK!

1. Are you sure that the form should be sent to UKBA and not HM Revenues & Customs?

2. Have a look here http://www.saynoto0870.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for numbers you can use to call the UKBA/HMRC. Basically enter the 0870 or 0845 number that you're currently calling, perform a search to find a number starting with 01, 02 or 03. The 01, 02 and 03 numbers are almost always cheaper than the 0845/0870 numbers, no matter if you're using a landline/mobile.

Let us know how you get on!

[apple]

i did wonder what the poster meant by UKBA, the border agency? i think you need to talk to revenue and customs

[luca1]

Hey thanks for the replies! :)
This is the address I was told to post it to:

UKBA Coventry International Hub
Postal imports and exports
Siskin parkway west
Coventry
CV3

Is this correct?

I have tried calling them again and again and again and the just will not pick up the phone!!

In the mean time I received another message from parcel force, after telling them specifically I had contacted Customs, to contact customs. They are REALLY not reading anything I am sending them.

I was told by parcel force that my mail would be forwarded to the correct department, and when I message to double check this, I get random off topic replies from them.. UN-REAL!

:Luca

[luca1]

UPDATE:

I just phoned a completely different section of customs on 08450109000 and they transfered me through straight away! They told me to not even bother calling Customs and Revenue on 08456004781 because no one ever gets through!!

Good to know that I have contributed a fair bit of money over the past 2 weeks trying to contact them.

Anyway the man said they take 5 to 6 weeks to process this type of refund and if I haven't heard from them by now I should write to them AGAIN..

There is also a complaints department, their number is 01304664511.

So... Parcel Force were NO help at all. Customs charge you to call a number you CANNOT get through to after 2 weeks of repeat calling. Customs will also hold on to your money for 5 to 6 weeks until acknowledging that they even have it. And if your claim in writing doesn't get processed then you can write to them again, and if that doesn't work you can call them again and complain.. and I'm sure they will take you seriously *rolls eyes*.

WELCOME TO THE UK!

[tartanic]

What has been the outcome?

I am in a similar situation. I ordered a bicycle frame from the USA. The value was marked at $100.

I import bicycle parts from the USA and they charge 4.7% + 20% VAT which i am ok with BUT they hit me with a customs charge of £380 for something valued at $100

Should I pay for it then complain?

The number for the coventry hub does not work and I cant seem to get through to anyone who can help.

[mazza111]

What was the value of the bicycle. Even though it states £100 doesn't necessarily mean it is worth that if you know what i mean. You can put anything on those customs stickers in all fairness. You could try any of the above numbers to see if you get anywhere, but I think best option is to pay for it and take it from there unfortunately

[POSTMAN]

Royal Mail will only charge/make money on the £8.00 handling fee...

All mail that enter the United Kingdom may be examined by customs, but normally letters, postcards and packets containing only documents or similar forms of correspondence are excluded.

If you are receiving a package from overseas (unless it’s from another EU Country), please be aware that it may incur customs charges. Any package assessed by HM Revenue and customs as being liable for customs charges will also incur a Royal Mail handling fee of £8.

Any goods imported into the UK over the value of £18 are liable to import VAT. Gifts between private individuals over the value of £40 are also liable for VAT. Goods and gifts over these values may also be liable for customs duty. You no longer have to pay customs duty for goods up to the value of £135, however you will still be required to pay import VAT and excise duty where applicable.

Please note that these limits do not apply to alcohol and tobacco goods where both excise duty and import VAT may be charged. It is not permitted to send alcohol and tobacco products into the UK from another EU country unless prior arrangements have been made to account for the excise duty.

For more details please read the Royal Mail guide to receiving goods from overseas. You can also check the HM Revenue & Customs guide to Shopping (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/internet.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) on the Internet.