I purchased a weaving in Nairobi for about 50,000.00 Kenyan shillings - this is equivalent to about 460 US dollars. Unfortunately when the shop in Kenya shipped it to me, and as noted in the shipping paperwork to Customs, the shop listed the sales price at 50,000 US DOLLARS, not KENYAN SHILLINGS. It was a simple mistake - they just indicated the wrong currency.

But as the value was noted as USD and not KSH, Customs charged DHL (and in turn me), a duty of $5,500 DOLLARS.

I've already argued with DHL about this once, as the package was being held in customs. I supplied my credit card statement showing the USD value, pictures of my hard copy receipt in KSH; a picture of the actual sales tag in KSH; documents from the Nairobi vendor. This was a simple mistake and frankly I can't believe DHL or Customs haven't seen it before. Most of the emails from DHL were pretty rude, but whatever - I was trying to be professional and helpful.

I thought it was sorted when the package finally arrived out of customs - but to my surprise when I received the final duty bill last week from DHL, it was for... the same $5,500 USD amount.

I don't want to call DHL back to start this argument again until I get some advice?

Lord I am pissed. Any help would be appreciated.

We got hit with the 145% charge for our item. I suspect DHL was in possession of the package before May 2, and chose to hold the package until the date changed to charge extra fees. I've read several posts saying the charges will increase the longer they hold your package, and DHL duty disputes are no longer answering phone calls and will most likely not answer our email until the 5 day period is up.

I also read that DHL will either pay the charge on your behalf and invoice later/send you to collections.

If we pay the fee right now, and successfully dispute, will the fee be refunded?