Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Information and questions about the Law in Spain and Andalucia.
Lavanda
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Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Mon Aug 16, 2021 3:18 pm

I have two packages which I sent from the UK via the Post Office and their tracking service. The tracking tells me they are pending with Spanish customs. A friend has a package pending for the last four months and counting. Is this some new post-Brexit aggravation?

Meanwhile, a company called dpd have sent me two e-mails telling me no one was home when they tried to deliver my packages and I would have to send more money via their link to get my packages delivered. The two e-mails have slightly different e-mail addresses and are currently languishing in my Junk folder. However, whoever dpd is, they seem to know I have two packages en route. Who? How? Why?

Any advice or ideas, please?

elusive
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby elusive » Mon Aug 16, 2021 3:22 pm

Yes its because of brexit. They are checked for prohibited items and are held for customs charges as something is being sent from a non E.U country to the E.U.

DPD are delivery company like DHL. Personally i wouldn't click on any links asking for payment. Sometimes you have to pay the driver when he delivers the package

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gerryh
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby gerryh » Mon Aug 16, 2021 3:30 pm

Scammers are sending out emails that look as if they come from DPD, who is a genuine delivery company.
Do not send them money.
Have a look at this:-
https://www.dpd.co.uk/content/about_dpd/phishing.jsp
Cheers
Gerry
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Lavanda
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Mon Aug 16, 2021 6:26 pm

Thanks, elusive. Will the Customs people contact me if they want money?

Thanks, Gerry. Good link. The two e-mails I have are fraudulent and I shall report them.

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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lyric » Mon Aug 16, 2021 6:45 pm

I am currently live with customs holding a package from the UK. It is from Amazon and should not be happening as it is tax paid in the UK however;
Customs send a letter and an e-mail with a form to complete. This can be done on-line too. They need an invoice, dispatch details, NIE. These can be scanned into their site.
They approve the documents and then send an invoice. Ours came by e-mail For a 20£ ointment the bill is 56€ and change.
The suggestion is I go to my local office to sort this out. I look forward to tomorrow morning with heightened anticipation.

markwilding
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby markwilding » Mon Aug 16, 2021 9:09 pm

Is that correct? Now we are outside the customs union, is it possible to pay tax on UK deliveries there, then avoid paying duty in Spain?

I have read that between 22 euros and I50 euros imports from companies, VAT isn't paid but duty is. Over 150 euros both VAT and duty are paid.
I have also read that customs can stop any package and ask for proof of cost

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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lyric » Mon Aug 16, 2021 11:15 pm

There is a scheme in place, which has to be joined, where tax can be paid at source. Several big players in Mail order are signed up, Next, M+S, Amazon GB to name three. it's called IOSS and the address label has the logo printed on it. A black circle with IOSS inside it.
Customs ask for an invoice for a value for Hacienda.
This is our third stoppage, the Bill for all three has been 50€ +. The previous two were returned for a refund. There is a tick box on the on-line form.

markwilding
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby markwilding » Mon Aug 16, 2021 11:59 pm

Thanks for that.

Regarding fraud, there's an interesting report in this week's Panorama on iPlayer about these types of scams.

Lavanda
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Tue Aug 17, 2021 6:17 am

I hope a bank statement will do for the cost of the items. I did not keep receipts as I did not realise there was a new system. Another hidden post-Brexit hurdle that maybe I should have known - but didn’t.

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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:13 am

My packages are still being held at Customs in Madrid Villa. They were posted on 2nd August.
Any idea how long customs take to do their customising?

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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lyric » Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:21 am

A long time. We have a small package, tax paid in the UK, with them over three weeks. They have wanted all the paperwork as if we were paying Spanish tax, we pointed out over and over that tax was paid under the IOSS scheme. Then they wanted the IOSS number which we obtained and sent over a week ago, since then silence.
I am giving them the benefit of doubt and saying it's August and they may be covid short staff too.

Lavanda
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Thu Aug 26, 2021 11:55 am

I will need to have more patience. I was never asked about tax when I posted the packages so I shall wait and see what happens next.

elusive
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby elusive » Thu Aug 26, 2021 2:26 pm

Lavanda wrote: Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:13 am My packages are still being held at Customs in Madrid Villa. They were posted on 2nd August.
Any idea how long customs take to do their customising?
Ive read on numerous sites of people having problems and waiting for things held in madrid

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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Thu Aug 26, 2021 3:48 pm

As long as I get the packages eventually I can wait. Nothing is perishable or time-sensitive but I do want them.

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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Mon Aug 30, 2021 12:28 pm

First parcel turned up today. I had to give my e-mail (for a receipt for the taxes I had to pay) and my NIE, as usual. The taxes were €26.40 and the parcel contents were valued at £80 when the parcel left the UK. Ouch!

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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Mon Sep 06, 2021 4:11 pm

Second parcel arrived today. €36.06 duty to pay. Double ouch!

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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby katy » Tue Sep 14, 2021 2:59 pm

Grandson (born in Spain) has always liked Cheetos the ghost shaped crisps. I like them too. He sent for some from Spain. 6 packets, they came from Ireland £6 tax!

Lavanda
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Re: Packages from UK held at Spanish Customs post-Brexit

Postby Lavanda » Tue Sep 14, 2021 4:24 pm

That's outrageous.


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