Letters: Delivery fees make it uneconomical to receive packages in France 

To the Editor, 

I recently received a parcel from a relative in the UK last month, for which I had to make a claim, but it is a tall order.

The value of a parcel I received had the Customs Declaration clearly completed at a value of £45. 

The mention gift was also declared, and the form signed. My relative had paid £15 postal cost for a 750 grams weight. 

Despite the information given, I had to pay £22 customs tax to retrieve it, which represents 50% of the value. 

How to reclaim charges on parcels delivered to France from abroad

The parcel had not been opened by customs either. The written rules are that under that amount, there is no tax to be paid.

After collecting the parcel, I immediately proceeded to make a claim to La Poste via the Internet, just for the principle. 

They replied that I would have to get a "Justificatif" from La Poste by filling a questionnaire. 

Mine was an "Avis de Passage", with a number. I typed this information into the questionnaire and had it confirmed by my local post office that that was the correct number to give. 

The reply was : "le numéro de suivi n'est pas reconnu par nos services". That was the first obstacle. 

They also asked me to produce the bills for the items purchased in the UK, as proof of the value. 

As it was a Christmas gift, I was not going to ask my relative to send me this. 

I was made to feel straight away that my claim was fraudulent. I cannot understand why they can apply a customs fee that is not applicable, as stipulated by their regulations.

I had the same experience at Christmas in 2023 but accepted, because the value was much higher than £45. The UK Customs also applies these charges. All thanks to Brexit !

C. Twentyman, by email

Have you had to pay charges on gifts received from the UK? Did you have to prove their value? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com