FED Ex import tax

[toys19]

I bought some stuff from the usa, and fed ex delivered, weeks later they sent a bill wanting 8.47 tax (fine I agree with this) and a £20 fee. I am happy to pay the tax if they can prove they have paid it to the tax man, but i think the fee is extorionate. They have sent some debt collectors letters. Whats the score here should I pay or fight?

[Bang!]

Normally the fee/tax is paid prior receiving an import attracting duty as a condition of its receipt..

 

This lets you decline to accept the package and pay nothing if costs seem excessive.

 

They presumably have no idea if you bought the goods yourself or if they were sent as a present unknown to you.

 

There is no contract/agreement between you and Fed Ex, as there is no way you could be aware of its terms under the circumstances - but on the other hand FE do collect tax and charge a fee for this - but again you were never offered the chance to reject the parcel.

 

The 'debt collectors' could be an in house threat procedure - what is their name?

 

I personally would not pay it, unless it was a prerequisite of receipt - but its an unusual one.

 

Unless its happened before and been covered on here (where hopefully someone else will post) then I'd rely on its being too small to chase, and questionable validity as reasons not to pay.

[Space Cadet uk]

I've had these before, I didn't pay them and nothing came of it.