BUYING AN ITEM FROM INDIA

[thesilverguy]

Just thought I would put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard about this).   I bought a pack of 200gm Trinadaian spice powder from a seller in India listed with free postage so on the spur of the moment while buying my usual ground curry spice from our usual source bought one of these to try for £15.14 pence.   It has actually cost me £15.50 EXTRA in import duty, VAT and EXTORTIONATE FEDEX fees of £12.00.

Anyone else come across this total rip off before.  I spoke to ebay with my concerns saying that this should be stated clearly on the listing and the usual withering response was NOT INTERESTED.  Spoke to the seller and got the usual "I not understanding what you say scenario"

I dont mind paying the vat and import duty of about £2.50 but the £12.00 fee from fedex is an insult and my business will not be using FEDEX again.

ANYONE ELSE COME ACROSS THIS.

I cant understand why the guy used fedex and not the post

[thesilverguy]

Many thanks captain. Still cant see the need to use fedex for sush a low value item though. India do have a reasonable postal system

[captain*obvious · Accepted solution]

It's called an advancement fee.

Fed-Ex charge it because they employ their own clearance staff to clear items through UK customs.

They do it to expedite delivery and whilst you have to pay it to get your item, you can get it back with a correctly worded email.

This page contains a draft email that has been deployed with considerable success in the four years since it was first published.

The seller isn't at fault, fed-ex is a reasonable choice for someone sending something from India.

[papso22 · Accepted solution]

Does it work for other couriers too?