DHL - Again!

marshg246

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I placed three orders on Monday, June 13.

AMAL used DHL - DHL tracking said it would be here on the 21st - arrived on the 17th. Can't complain.

Wassell used UPS - UPS tracking said it would be here on the 20th and it's in the local UPS facility ready for delivery tomorrow. Can't complain.

Late Friday, the threats started from DHL about my AN order: Pay the duties within five days or we'll send the package back. I immediately filed a dispute - there are NO duties on motorcycle parts from the UK to the US. DHL does not work weekends but does count weekends in the five days. They text and email and I got my final threats today. I have an acknowledgement of the dispute, but they give themselves three workdays to respond. So, the package may go back before they get to it! The last time that happened, someone with more sense at Heathrow turned it back around and the second time there was no customs issue. Can't blame AN, they marked the paperwork correctly.
 
That bites ! Only time I used DHL cost me $150 in duties after the fact … never again !
 
There may be "brokerage" charges regardless of if duty is to be paid...which is for the courier to prepare customs documents and cover any federal and or state taxes. To avoid this brokerage charge, you can act as your own broker. The procedure for this is rather cumbersome, involving informing the courier, arranging to collect the waybill and declaration forms from the courier, taking those to a local customs office to complete relevant brokerage docs, then return to courier to collect cleared package. You'd still need to pay for any sales taxes

For items to get antique parts exemptions here Canada the shipper needs to have the exemption tariff code entered on the declaration form.
 
There may be "brokerage" charges regardless of if duty is to be paid...which is for the courier to prepare customs documents and cover any federal and or state taxes. To avoid this brokerage charge, you can act as your own broker. The procedure for this is rather cumbersome, involving informing the courier, arranging to collect the waybill and declaration forms from the courier, taking those to a local customs office to complete relevant brokerage docs, then return to courier to collect cleared package. You'd still need to pay for any sales taxes

For items to get antique parts exemptions here Canada the shipper needs to have the exemption tariff code entered on the declaration form.
In the end, I'll pay no taxes, duties, or fees - none are due. DHL is getting over 70 GBP to deliver this package - that is enough. I think they do this just to see if people will pay and it comes up on about one out of three DHL shipments. Never has come up on any other shippers of my orders.
 
I placed three orders on Monday, June 13.

AMAL used DHL - DHL tracking said it would be here on the 21st - arrived on the 17th. Can't complain.

Wassell used UPS - UPS tracking said it would be here on the 20th and it's in the local UPS facility ready for delivery tomorrow. Can't complain.

Late Friday, the threats started from DHL about my AN order: Pay the duties within five days or we'll send the package back. I immediately filed a dispute - there are NO duties on motorcycle parts from the UK to the US. DHL does not work weekends but does count weekends in the five days. They text and email and I got my final threats today. I have an acknowledgement of the dispute, but they give themselves three workdays to respond. So, the package may go back before they get to it! The last time that happened, someone with more sense at Heathrow turned it back around and the second time there was no customs issue. Can't blame AN, they marked the paperwork correctly.
Update: 3 business days and 3 minutes after I wrote the dispute email address, they responded and asked why it should be duty free. Since I already clearly explained why in the dispute, I had to bite my lip and say it again. I wanted to say: "Read my email you f'ing idiot!" or "Do your f'ing job right so there's no need for a dispute!"
 
It would be interesting to know if AN used the same commodity code, description and country of parts origin, as when you received packages before with no tax/duties.
 
I've never asked but will on my net order. It's now been 4 workdays since I filed my dispute and other than the stupid email yesterday, no contact.
 
The worst part about DHL is they don't include brokerage in the cost of transport. They charge extra to the recipient. I think this is triggered based on the declared value of the shipment. Fedex offers their brokerage free of charge when you ship with them.
 
The worst part about DHL is they don't include brokerage in the cost of transport. They charge extra to the recipient. I think this is triggered based on the declared value of the shipment. Fedex offers their brokerage free of charge when you ship with them.
This is duties, not brokerage. Still not resolved and still only one stupid email asking for the info already provided. I guess I'll have to stop buying from AN if they have no way other than DHL. This happens on about 1/3 of DHL shipments from the UK and 100% of them if they go through Cleveland rather than New York. This one went through New York.
 
Well, it's now been 10 days since I filed my duties dispute and two weeks since AN shipped.

I asked AN about other shipping options. There aren't any for bigger orders unless you have a UPS account and arrange to send UPS to pickup from AN. AN only uses DHL.
 
DHL finally corrected their mess this morning. Of course, it's still sitting at the Airport waiting for them to put it on a delivery truck. Took 12 days to resolve the duties - DHL says a max of 3!
 
Next!

Ordered 12 carb sets from AMAL. Picked up by DHL July 3. Made it to National Airport July 4. Out for delivery July 5 but not delivered - pulled back for Duties Due. Dispute sent July 6. Informed today that it's not duties but since it's over $2500, there is an optional .3464% charged by US Customs when they feel like it - I've made MANY orders from the UK over $2500 and I have never been charged this "fee". DHL is so nice that they pay it for you and then charge 2% or $17 whichever is higher for "loaning" you the money - of course, not asking if you want them to.

So, the 126 GBP I paid was not enough for DHL, and US Customs, for no extra work, got paid as well. I had to pay $45.96 extra. That raises my cost $3.83 per set which is not much compared to the shipping but every bit adds up.

So, now I need to keep all orders under $2500, including shipping.

I'll be surprised if I get the carbs before Thursday even though they are 8 miles away.
 
Standard airmail, not bad for $22 / US$14.81 considering the cost increases since D'ohvid - 19.

June 30, 2022, 12:12 pm
Acceptance
AUSTRALIA

USPS
July 6, 2022, 9:59 am
Processed Through Facility
ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS)

July 11, 2022, 11:32 am
Delivered, In/At Mailbox
CAVE CREEK, AZ 85331
Your item was delivered in or at the mailbox at 11:32 am on July 11, 2022 in CAVE CREEK, AZ 85331.

DHL - Again!
 
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