Sir, – I have lived in the UK for 48 years and have always enjoyed the tradition of sending gifts home to my extensive family for birthdays and Christmas. However, Irish customs have scuppered my latest three attempts by holding my parcels to ransom. Why?
I do not get notified at the point of sending that there is a duty to pay to release the parcels as they languish in an Irish customs warehouse.
I don’t know in advance or when the tax, or perhaps ransom, is declared how much might need be paid to get them delivered. This information goes to the recipient – or not.
In the latest instance, the recipient didn’t, which resulted in the farcical situation of the goods being returned to me after a three-week delay.
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At no time was I advised by a private carrier or the UK postal system that this may cause a problem.
I had tracking on each occasion. I know where my parcels were. I just couldn’t communicate with anyone to get them released.
So now I am out of pocket by the cost of three flights home to hand-deliver the goods and the postman won’t be delivering any gifts this Christmas. Scrooge would be proud.
I have no problems sending the equivalent to the US.
What a disappointment. – Yours, etc,
ELMA GRIFFIN,
Northallerton,
Yorkshire.
England.