Tayda order - EU Customs process

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dddstudio

New member
Guys, I'm so fucked. DHL just wrote me that my package (first order from Tayda) is under customs clearance and I'll have to pay a fee of approx 800 EUR for a package worth 80 EUR. This is not even including taxes I think. This is just an extra fee because of the multi line entry of the invoice.
What can I do? Are there anything left for me to try/do? Fuck.
 
wow this is insane, I would just refuse the package altogether for that price. maximum I paid was about 20% in Germany and 10% cheaper for customs in Switzerland but 800 is insane. I'd contact DHL, there has to be a mistake..
 
Their reasoning is that since there are more than 6 lines in the invoice I have to pay an extra fee after every additional line (item) in the invoice. Pretty crazy if true. Tayda did warn me that it might be expensive, but this is beyond nonsense. Can't wait for my other package from PedalPCB...
 
dddstudio said:
Their reasoning is that since there are more than 6 lines in the invoice I have to pay an extra fee after every additional line (item) in the invoice. Pretty crazy if true. Tayda did warn me that it might be expensive, but this is beyond nonsense. Can't wait for my other package from PedalPCB...
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I’ve experienced a similar problem from local customs. There are custom codes applicable which don’t take the additional line items into account and reduce the charges to more manageable amounts. I suggest you contact DHL directly and speak to them about this. Best of luck.
 
I use this code with Tayda in the special message box (as in ‘Please mark shipment as clearance code 8538.90.90(9))’) and this seems to work. I don’t know whether or not this code will apply where you are, but worth a shot, I’d say.
 
mybud said:
I use this code with Tayda in the special message box (as in ‘Please mark shipment as clearance code 8538.90.90(9))’) and this seems to work. I don’t know whether or not this code will apply where you are, but worth a shot, I’d say.
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Thanks for the tip. I'll try but I'm afraid too late now. Tomorrow I'll call them and ask.
 
Yeah, mine seems to be the same problem. I only had a DHL shipping option by the way at checkout. I wonder why I haven't heard similar horror stories in the past. I mean there are probably a lot of people ordering more than 5-6 items in a package shipped by DHL. These brokerage fees seem insane.
 
dddstudio said:
Yeah, mine seems to be the same problem. I only had a DHL shipping option by the way at checkout. I wonder why I haven't heard similar horror stories in the past. I mean there are probably a lot of people ordering more than 5-6 items in a package shipped by DHL. These brokerage fees seem insane.
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I'm sorry I can't help with your specific issue, but to explain why there aren't more horror stories, for example for me I get the option to choose between having DHL do the customs process for me, or doing it myself. I do it myself since in Finland as long as the total value is under 150€, I can just lump all of the contents under one customs code, so I usually pick a resistor or whatever since it's easy to find in the customs system. It's a small extra hassle but I only pay the tax.

Obviously the process varies by country, and I'm under the impression that some countries don't get the option to self declare at all - but in the EU you should be able to argue with DHL that it's completely unreasonable to pay them 800€ for doing customs on a 80€ package. Although having said that, even if you would win, the process of disputing it might take a while.
 
fontoponto said:
DHL are a bunch of…
There is a looong thread on reddit about this issue
I placed my first tayda order today with fedex but only 6 items. I hope its without a hassle.
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Gotta be careful. At least in Germany FedEx also adds an extra charge per each additional item line on the customs form if it's above 5 or 6 lines.

I can only suggest what Fama also said, register to clear customs on packages yourself. DHL is only able to add those fees because they do the whole process for you.
 
In my discussions with DHL, I pointed out that I’m a hobbyist, IOW not doing this for profit. They may well charge companies (assuming one is a large for-profit corporation or some such) such exorbitant fees so it may be worth pointing out one is a private individual too.
 
Truly sucks for you to go through this. Hopefully you'll appreciate the silver lining in that you make many of us aware of this thing we haven't had an issue with yet. Have a growing list for a bunch of items at Tayda, but I guess I do bulk orders of only a few items per order instead.
 
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I'd also check your inventory that you got from DHL, classifying the items.

You should have been charged per line-item "type" and not per line-item. For example, if you have 10 different resistors, then that's one line-item type. Like-wise, ICs should fall under another type.

If you order a bunch of different small item types then you're screwed.

Sadly, my experiences with Tayda and EU customs have been that you either get DDP when/if available, or restrict what you're buying. LCSC is a good option for parts which handles customs for you. Similarly, Daier via AliExpress is good for hardware (enclosures, jacks, etc).

I haven't given up on Tayda, but I tend to only use them for UV printing enclosures, or bulk buying pots now and then. :( It's a shame.
 
Yes indeed, @szukalski is right on the line items option. I think DHL has a duty (no pun intended) to explain how they managed to charge you 10 times the value of your order: ludicrous on the face of it. Common sense will eventually prevail, I hope.
 
I don't know why you've not heard the horror-stories, but they're out there.

There is a reason I refer to that company as DHeLL.

Alas, most other shippers aren't much better if at all.


Wishing you BEST OF LUCK!
 
Feral Feline said:
I don't know why you've not heard the horror-stories, but they're out there.

There is a reason I refer to that company as DHeLL.

Alas, most other shippers aren't much better if at all.


Wishing you BEST OF LUCK!
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Have a 120,- order coming in from Japan with 44,- import bonus. Only 21,- VAT, the rest for them.... Because they paid for me, and now I have to pay them for this "service". 🤷‍♂️ I expected the typical 20% on top, but I guess I'll have to prevent the use of them the next time.

Also, can't help thinking with a smile of the Russian mail firebomb campaign going on in Europe targeting DHL. 🙈
 
Good news! :)

I have talked with basically everybody at our local DHL branch and somehow managed to convince them that this would be absolutely irrational. In the end they applied some form of exception and this way I had to pay only a reasonable brokerage fee on top of tax and other import duties. Phew! They said that I'm lucky and next time a similar option will not be possible. The main lesson learned is that the multi-line entries on the attached invoice could mean a LOT of additional costs. If possible ask the seller to only include a single-line entry on the invoice. Thanks for all the tips guys! It was a great help.
 
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