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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.
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.
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