DHL customs duty issue

[Hanno Labuschagne]

So I've ordered a Thule fit kit for a roof rack on a car that they don't have stock for in South Africa from a UK online store.

Used MyUS to forward it to South Africa via DHL Express.

Just got the bill for taxes at import and it seems wrong.

The HS/commodity code seems to be correct: 8708.99.90(1). Screenshot of Sars Schedule 1 Customs and Excise doc for relevant taxes:



However, DHL is charging me 20% customs duty on a package sold to me from a UK store (that was also manufactured in Sweden, which is EU territory).

If I'm reading Sars' tables correctly, it should be duty-free from the UK and EU?

Full cost breakdown:
VAT — R212.10
20% Customs Duty — R217.60
Duty Tax Processing — R220.00
Total: R649.70

This is for an 800g parcel that I have already paid over R600 in shipping from the My US, in part thanks to MyUS sommer switching out my preferred Aramex option for DHL.

Anybody had a similar experience with DHL and if so, how did you dispute it? Before payment or after? Thought they would have no issue getting it right the first time.

Some users recommend rather doing it before, as getting the refund can be a hassle.

 

[RedViking]

What did they say when you contacted them? Also R220 processing fee.... Sheesh. I'm in the wrong career.

 

[Hanno Labuschagne]

What did they say when you contacted them? Also R220 processing fee.... Sheesh. I'm in the wrong career.

I had to go an search in other places for how to dispute their calculations...Apparently most people use [email protected]. Have sent and explained to them, but don't expect a quick turnaround. Also sent to [email protected] and logged complaint for a payment/billing issue on the DHL SA site.

They provide no email address or phone numbers specifically for disputing the amount in their constant communications asking for the payment. Going to try and call their SA offices today.

 

[ChuckMeFarley]

So I've ordered a Thule fit kit for a roof rack on a car that they don't have stock for in South Africa from a UK online store.

Used MyUS to forward it to South Africa via DHL Express.

Just got the bill for taxes at import and it seems wrong.

The HS/commodity code seems to be correct: 8708.99.90(1). Screenshot of Sars Schedule 1 Customs and Excise doc for relevant taxes:

View attachment 1885448

However, DHL is charging me 20% customs duty on a package sold to me from a UK store (that was also manufactured in Sweden, which is EU territory).

If I'm reading Sars' tables correctly, it should be duty-free from the UK and EU?

Full cost breakdown:
VAT — R212.10
20% Customs Duty — R217.60
Duty Tax Processing — R220.00
Total: R649.70

This is for an 800g parcel that I have already paid over R600 in shipping from the My US, in part thanks to MyUS sommer switching out my preferred Aramex option for DHL.

Anybody had a similar experience with DHL and if so, how did you dispute it? Before payment or after? Thought they would have no issue getting it right the first time.

Some users recommend rather doing it before, as getting the refund can be a hassle.

You need a EUR1 certificate or an appropriate authorized exporter in order to claim preferential rate of duty on the EU/UK and EFTA columns.

Edit: on values under EUR600 the commercial invoice requires the following clause in order to claim preferential rate without requiring a EUR1 certificate:

DECLARATION:
The exporter of the products covered by this document declares that, except
where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of EU preferential origin.

 

[Hanno Labuschagne]

What did they say when you contacted them? Also R220 processing fee.... Sheesh. I'm in the wrong career.

I had to go an search in other places for how to dispute their calculations...Apparently most people use [email protected]. Have sent and explained to them, but don't expect a quick turnaround. Also sent to [email protected] and logged complaint for a payment/billing issue on the DHL SA site.

They provide no email address or phone numbers specifically for disputing the amount in their communications asking for the payment. Going to try and call their SA offices today

 

[Hanno Labuschagne]

You need a EUR1 certificate or an appropriate authorized exporter in order to claim preferential rate of duty on the EU/UK and EFTA columns.

Edit: on values under EUR600 the commercial invoice requires the following clause in order to claim preferential rate without requiring a EUR1 certificate:

DECLARATION:
The exporter of the products covered by this document declares that, except
where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of EU preferential origin.

Interesting, thanks a lot for clarifying. Would be heck of a hassle to get that out of the seller methinks. Just going to cough up the duty...Might consider requesting a refund down the line if I can get an EUR1 certificate.

 

[ChuckMeFarley]

Interesting, thanks a lot for clarifying. Would be heck of a hassle to get that out of the seller methinks. Just going to cough up the duty...Might consider requesting a refund down the line if I can get an EUR1 certificate.

You might find the exercise prohibitive in that there is a cost involved in issuing a EUR1 and also in issuing them retrospectively.