DHL and Customs - Need i say any more???

[Spinky69er]

Okay so in June i bought some G4 ponies and i also had parts to a wonderful Twilight Sparkle Costume made by Dollhands for a birthday pony meet.  She sent it via express mail as instructed and DHL decided they'd pick it up.

It was delivered in just the nick of time (although there was a disagreement happening with them and Aus Post as to who was actually meant to deliver it because according to Aus Post it was their responsibility, not DHL's) and when it arrived i had noticed it had been inspected by customs (this happens to be every so often) and lucky for them nothing was damaged and everyone was happy right?!  WRONG!!!!

today i receive a bill from DHL for a quarantine processing fee for nearly $48!!!!!  almost how much i paid for the friggin parcel to begin with.  When i phone DHL accounts, they say they have no authority to deal with the waivering of that fee and i need to speak to quarantine.  Quarantine of course "are unavailable to take your call... leave a message...." BLAH BLAH BLAH.

So i ask anyone that has dealt with customs particuarly in australia, any advice?  I could understand if it said something about being made from an animal, wood or otherwise.  it said TOY HORSES for crying out loud.  I'm pretty sure toy horses dont have real horse products and why the friggin charge?! 

Just so frustrated, and of course they're wanting payment in 7 days but of course by the time it arrives its already past that deadline anyways.

GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[fingerpaints]

I would fight tooth & nail, why did they have the right to deliver an Australia Post item in the first place? If there was a cost involved, you should have been told on delivery too.

I think they are just trying to diddle someone out of money personally. They have no right to ask for money for a parcel that AusPost should have delivered anyhow, just wow :/

[ponylady]

That really stinks Spinky!

I am not overly familiar with DHL or Australian post    So what is a quarantine processing fee?  Is it that they are charging you because they inspected it?

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Hope you are able to sort this out!  It doesn't sound fun at all...

[Spinky69er]

That really stinks Spinky!

I am not overly familiar with DHL or Australian post    So what is a quarantine processing fee?  Is it that they are charging you because they inspected it?

Pretty much.  when our parcels are delivered by aus post and have been searched by quarantine, we never get charged fees.  But quarantine passed a bill to DHL and so they then passed on the charge to me!  Then when i called up about it and said, nope not paying coz this is ridiculous, they said you need to speak to customs - however it clearly states on the bill its not quarantine who's issued this invoice, its DHL trying to recover costs.  Well not gonna happen!!

[Endocat]

Oh man!  what a headache!  I hate dealing with customs etc.  (I'm also having issues at the moment over here).  I'd fight it!  Good luck!

[Ringlets]

ugh that sucks! you shouldnt have to pay that! I agree with the others - fight it out  with 'em. I would call  DHL again and try talking to someone different since it says on the bill that its them who issued the invoice.

[ponylady]

What sneaks!  If the invoice was issued to them, then they are responsible.  I can't believe they would try passing it on to you.

Good luck getting this resolved hun!. 

[Spinky69er]

Still waiting on a call.  I phoned again today after 5 "phone messages" and i've asked for the quarantine accounts manager this time and am awaiting the call back by close of business today.  We'll wait and see

[hokuspokus]

Good luck! Custom fees get to the extreme in some places

[Endocat]

Good luck! hope its all sorted out soon at no cost to you. 

[Spinky69er]

Well after some serious whinging, they said they'll write it off.  but i'm still awaiting email confirmation of this to occur.  But for the moment, that's a good result!

[Gingerbread]

Glad you managed to sort it! Sounds absolutely ridiculous. DHL I swear are totally fruitloop.