That is my concern for the most part I buy the same item regularly from the US and that was the first time they (appeared to) waive the import malarky. I was told categorically by a DHL staff member that they wouldn't release any shipment under any circumstances prior to monies due being paid in full, which sounded fair enough to me so I left it at that - I didn't owe them anything. Nothwithstanding that, it was nobody's fault but their own if that is precisely what they did.

For what it might be worth: Date of first letter - 23 June 2015 Date of second letter - 06 July 2015

With the 7.5 (I'm assuming pounds sterling) it comes to £33.82

Letter No 2 (again typed verbatim): Act now - this won't go away Outstanding Import Duty & VAT Our records show that despite our recent communications, the Invoice in relation to Import Duty & VAT remains outstanding. We now have no alternative but to pass this account to our Legal Department for assessment. To prevent potential Litigation being commenced, you must settle the above sum within fourteen (14) days. Payment can be made online via credit/debit card, Paypal or one of our payment methods detailed overleaf. Should you have any queries regarding this matter then please contact our offices on the above number. Further information with regard to Import Duty & VAT invoices can also be found within the 'Information tab' on our client's website (website removed, I don't have enough posts). In the event that no response or payment is received within the next fourteen (14) days this matter will be passed to our Legal Department. At this time litigation may commence with a County Court Judgment sought. The costs of these proceedings would increase your current liability and with Judgment in place, would allow enforcement to be taken. This is your final opportunity to remedy this matter prior to further action being taken. Controlaccount plc

Hi sorry if this is the wrong forum, I couldn't really find a match-fit I imported some goods from the US a while back and they were delivered straight away by DHL International. Some time after this, I received mails saying that I owed them for Import Duties & VAT. I rang them and the person I spoke to said that DHL would never under any circumstances release any shipment that required payment(s) without that payment first being made in full. He advised me to ignore any future mails. Mails kept coming but I ignored them. I have now had two correspondences from an outfit called controlaccount plc who are claiming to be acting on behalf of DHL International for the recovery of monies owed. Here is the first letter: IMPORTANT NOTICE DHL International (UK) Limited have recently written to you in relation to an outstanding invoice for Import Duties & VAT. According to their records this invoice still shows as unpaid therefore this matter has now been passed to us for collection. An administration charge of 7.5 has now been levied in addition to the original invoice sum. The sum was incurred and levied by HM Customs & Excise upon your shipment arriving in the UK. As the recipient of these goods and with the sender not having nominated to pay the required duty, you legally became liable for these charges. We confirm that under current regulations the cost of delivery was added to the declared value of the product to make the shipment 'value for customs'. In addition a VAT value adjustment may also have been calculated which represents the cost of the transport with the EU borders. Further information with regard to Import Duty & VAT invoices can also be found within the 'Information tab' on our client's website at (link removed). We must now insist that payment of this invoice is made immediately to us. Payment can be made online via credit/debit card, Paypal or one of our payment methods detailed overleaf. DO NOT CONTACT DHL DIRECT - we are their appointed agents. We can deal with any queries that you may have. In the even that no response or payment is received within the next seven (7) days, this matter will be passed for further action Yours sincerely Controlacount plc There is a second correspondence which I can type in if you wish to see it but what do you think so far? The whole thing reads vaguely and I get the impression that they know they don't have anything and are trying the 'vaguely legal-looking' approach in an attempt to intimidate

Hi I have to go into my local Magistrates Court tomorrow to make a Statutory Declaration to the effect that I didn't know I'd been sent a NIP regarding a speeding offence, owing to the fact I spend a fair bit of time away from home with work. A couple of questions:- (a.) what does it involve and (b.) what happens afterwards? Thanks for any advice