Small packages sent by post from outside the EU – Incorrect Charges demanded by La Poste.
There have been reports of invalid charges being made by La Poste on delivery of low value packages. Several complaints have been upheld, but the problem remains. If you have received such a charge and wish to challenge it here is some valuable information.
Postal packets from outside the EU must have a douane declaration sticker. If there are French customs charges, then La Poste usually acts to collect any douane fee at the doorstep and adds on its own admin/handling charges. However, there is no douane charge for private gifts if the declared value is less than 45 Euros and so there is no requirement for any charge to be levied by La Poste.
It is essential that a sender in the UK follows correct procedures – see the Royal Mail web site
A Royal Mail customs label CN22 must be completed by the sender, with description and value of contents and stuck on to the package. If it is a gift this should be stated.
French Douane rules are explained in the website ‘www.douane.gouv.fr’ entitled ‘recevoir un colis envoyé par un particulier’ which states that there are no customs charges for items sent privately worth no more than 45€’. Commercial items will attract TVA if the value is greater than €20. Again, there is no requirement for any charge to be levied by La Poste below these values.
If a problem cannot be resolved locally, then send a letter of explanation claiming a refund to the ‘Médiateur de la Consommation’, Litiges Courrier, Instance Recours de Libourne, BP 63043, 33503 LIBOURNE Cedex with a La Poste receipt for any fee paid.