The difference between your interpretation and mine is that I have spoken to and received emails from Sean O'hara the Director of PostComm. It was PostComm that wrote the Act.

Please confirm what you are telling me, your interpretation is right but PostComm (the body that WROTE THE ACT) is wrong.

'Tis you that have it wrong, as I stated in the beginning. Why don't you phone PostComm to find out yourself?

I do see your point about about the Duty being paid and not actually due anymore but I'm afraid this is covered by a separate charter with HMRC and Royal Mail.

RM have put in a very confused defence to my small claim. However, they have written down in black and white that they will release packages without the £8 or £13.50 clearance fee being made and invoice for it later. Perhaps they should make this clear on their misleading invoice letter and also "train" their staff accordingly! Spread the word.

Cracked Chap:I do see your point about about the Duty being paid and not actually due anymore but I'm afraid this is covered by a separate charter with HMRC and Royal Mail.

Please provide proof of said charter.

See first page - I think it is my seventh post but it is this one - Thu, Sep 27 2007, 6:15 PM

If you have any queries, I suggest you start phoning and writing to the apropriate agencies instead of bothering me about stuff I have already covered.

Unfortunately once again Royal Mail legal services have sent me a cheque for the full amount of the small claim. They are quite understandbly, like with bank charges in the early days, scared of this issue going before a court, even one which will have no bearing on other customers other than they may choose to follow a similar course of action.

In summary:

Despite what I have noted as Royal Mail operators writing or speaking, they have confirmed in their court pleadings that you do not have to pay the £8 or £13.50 to have your parcel delivered. They will invoice their portion of their customs fees later. I advise you to pay the actual customs owing.

Several people have taken them to court for this including me twice, and they have paid. Even if they don't charge you, a debt invoice from them for the £8 or £13.50 is sufficient for you to sue them to "cancel" the debt. In reality, it may end up that you are £8 or £13.50 better off since do not under any circumstances pay this fee. There's not a lot you can do about this as otherwise they will send your debt to debt collectors. I am actually still waiting on clarification they have cancelled it. My claim also including telephone call costs to phone their head office and 0845 number to get my parcel delivered.