DHL. Possible scam.

[joel0407]

Hey guys. This isn't entirely car related but of all the forums I'm a member of, since it's Skoda, I thought I'd post it here.

I have recently ordered a Skoda Yeti which is due to arrive Jan/Feb next year. In the mean time, my wife bought me a 1:43 Abrex Skoda Yeti model for my B'day. It finally arrived today, from the UK, a bit late since my B'day was last weekend but all good.

I also received another letter though from DHL. It was an invoice for $43 for "Quarantine Processing Fee". Given that the freight on the $22 model had already cost me $24, I was a bit pissed and confused. So I rang DHL who told me the Department of Agriculture, Forestrys and Fisheries DAFF carry out random inspections on imported goods. DAFF charge DHL for these inspections and the cost is the responsability of the importer (me).

I questioned this information from DHL at length and told them I work for a government department and occasionally deal with Customs and I had never heard of anything like this. Once the call taker started to realise I might know what I am talking about she quickly told me she would cancelle to invoice but I should be aware of it in the furture.

I called DAFF and they told me they dont randomly carry out inspections however depending what the goods are declaired as they carry out inspections on certain goods. He started to run through a list of things like food, plant material, etc and advised there is a list on their website but it's far from random and does not include diecast models.

I know customs will open random parcels that look a bit sus but they charge for it. My wife is Japanese and we receive stuff from her relatives all the time let alone the stuff I buy from OS. We have had many things checked by customs and some of the food stuff has been taken by Customs but we have never been charged for it.

I think this is a bit of a Scam because DHL possibly rely on some people just paying the invoice. It looks very offical and I expect they would start sending out reminders.

Happy Days.

[MGV]

Hey Joel, i recently posted up a new thread in the general chat section (further down, about 2 weeks ago i think) about the same matter. I posted a pic of part of the invoice, too...
Is that the same as what you got?
Anyway, my GF was going to call & query it, but we both forgot all about it! Will wait & see if a 'reminder' comes.

[joel0407]

Yep that's it. I also made a report on Scam Watch. Total Rort.

Makes me wonder how many people just pay it without question?

[Guest001]

Did you ring DHL with a number out of the phone book or a number that was given in the call you received.

[joel0407]

I've done a bit of searching and most either dont pay and it goes away or call them and they waiver the charge. On the DAFF website says they charge $17 per shipment. God knows where the extra $31 comes from?

Others have said if DHL receive a whole mixed container with some items needing scanning and others not, they have the whole lot scanned and charge everyone.

Happy Days.

[joel0407]

Did you ring DHL with a number out of the phone book or a number that was given in the call you received.

The number on the invoice. I'll check the number tomorrow.

Happy Days

[Guest001]

The number on the invoice. I'll check the number tomorrow.

Happy Days

Could be like the Paypal scam where the scammer sends what looks like a Paypal invoice but its not a genuine one.

It goes back to the scammer and nowhere near Paypal

[MGV]

Hey all & happy new year!

Did anyone that was issued with a statement for a fee follow this up? Just got back from hol's & found a reminder in the mailbox:



Probably give them a call on monday to see if i can get the fee waivered...

[joel0407]

Hey all & happy new year!

Did anyone that was issued with a statement for a fee follow this up? Just got back from hol's & found a reminder in the mailbox:



Probably give them a call on monday to see if i can get the fee waivered...

I received the same letter, mate. After they had told me they waivered it months ago. Chucked it in the bin. I'm sure civil action will cost them more than it's worth.

Happy Days.

[MGV]

My GF called them up & they told her they would waver the fee. She made the purchase, a present for me! Apparently only one waver per customer... Seems like they just send out the notice hoping some will pay it.

Cheers.