DHL and fees customs & duty charges?

**pdcorlis** · 9th March 06, 08:28 AM

Hi Gang

I'm thinking of ordering a casual kilt from tartankilts.com - they ship via DHL to the states. I've seen lots of info on the outrageous charges via FedEx and UPS but can't seem to find any info on how badly DHL whacks you for shipments over $200. Can anyone shed some light here?

THANKS!

**Big Dave** · 9th March 06, 08:35 AM

When I ordered a cilt last year, it was DHL who delivered, and I was charged about $15. That was the first time I was ever charged to get my cilt.

**Colin** · 9th March 06, 08:37 AM

I could be wrong, but when I used to run a distribution warehouse, DHL was worse for fees and service than Fed Ex. This was 5 years or so ago, so hopefully that has improved.

Just a note, I ordered a Scooby Doo lunch kit for my son last year. The product was $15 US and the customs from DHL was $21.45. Does that sound reasonable?

**Wompet** · 9th March 06, 02:21 PM

At the start of the fiscal year, DHL won the contract to be the Department of Homeland Security's expedited shipper - overnight parcels and the like.
They were so bad with late deliveries and overcharges that they lost the contract within two months.

Also, having dealt with some of the DHL customs broker representatives professionally, I wouldn't want to deal with them as a customer.

**UmAnOnion** · 9th March 06, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

...
Just a note, I ordered a Scooby Doo lunch kit for my son last year....

Uh huh.. .whatever you say Colin, it was for your son....

**Colin** · 9th March 06, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by UmAnOnion

Uh huh.. .whatever you say Colin, it was for your son....

Originally it was, but now that both kids are in the same preschool, my wife is the one sporting a lunch kit that looks like the Mystery Machine.

**Jerry** · 10th March 06, 04:44 AM

I don't have any experience with DHL and customs charges. My advice on that is to ask for shipping via Royal mail and USPS. I've bought several itens that were shipped that way, and never had to pay customs. A lot depends how the shipper "declares" your Kilt. As for DHL service, in one word, it "sucks" I ordered a handheld GPS from a company in Washington state and ask for next day shipping via DHL. I ordered it on a Friday. I really didn't expect it on a weekend (I have had the USPS deliver a priority mail package on a Sunday, though) but I did expect to get my package on Monday. Okay, we were having some bad weather, so a delay was understandable. Tuesday went by and no delivery, so I called and asked about my package. I was informed that DHL only delivers in my area on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I asked about a refund on the next day charges since they did not provide that service in my area. Of course, they wouldn't do that, "any refund has to come from the shipper".Wednesday went by and still no package. I called again. This time, it just missed the truck. Of course, the next day was Thursday, and, guote: "We don't deliver to your address on Thursdays". Finally I got my package on Friday, one full week after ordering and paying for next day shipping via DHL. So if you want my advice stay away from those crooks unless you really want to be cheated.