OneAndOneIs2

Hello,

I am writing to enquire about a problem that has arisen as a result of a FedEx transaction

For my birthday, my brother (who lives in the USA) ordered an item of clothing from a company (also based in the USA) to be delivered to me. This company sent the item as requested by him, via FedEx.

You delivered the package to me, handed it over, and left.

Some weeks later, I received an invoice from you, charging me for the import duty the item had incurred. I phoned to query, and was informed that as the recipient of the item, you hold me liable for the duties you incurred in delivering the package.

As this is an item ordered by somebody else, sent by a company via FedEx without my knowledge or consent, and that was handed to me by you without any mention of duties, I am understandably not happy about this.

I have had deliveries from abroad before, via the Post Office. In the situations where the postal service had incurred duties, I was informed of this prior to the package being delivered, and given the option of refusing to accept delivery, and therefore duties.

In this situation, I have been given no such option of refusal: In fact, your representative stated on the phone that even had I refused to accept delivery of the package, you would still hold me liable for the import duty fees. He stated that the FedEx position is that if anybody in the world sends me any item at all, I am automatically liable for any duties incurred, without even the option of refusing to accept the delivery.

Your representative then suggested that, had I any problems with the situation, I should speak to Customs, and gave me their phone number. I promptly phoned them, and was informed by them that no package should be delivered without giving the addressee the option of refusing to accept the duties by refusing to accept delivery.

This is clearly at odds with the FedEx position as stated by your representative, who claims that I am liable for the duty even if I refuse to accept delivery, and that FedEx are not responsible for even informing me that duties have been incurred on an item until after the item has been delivered.

I would therefore appreciate it if you would send me a reply, so that I have a clear written record of FedEx's position, as it appears to be at odds with the understanding of both myself and the Customs representative I contacted at the number your own representative gave me.

Kind regards

Dominic Humphries

Yes, they've decided they still want me to pay for the duty on a package somebody else sent me.

Further bulletins as events warrant.