lV
linda V

1 reviews | Active since Jun 2020

03 Feb 2021, 10:49

Is your conduct Ethical or lawful DHL?

Is this what you subject all your customers to?

Is this legal or ethical?

1. Family sent a small Christmas parcel pre-paid from the UK. 2. Vat & customs duties amounted to R345 3. DHL 's invoice included an additional "advance payment Fee" charge of R200 i.e. they slapped on a 60% surcharge on the Vat/duties (for a service that was already paid for by the sender) 4. When we queried what this R200 fee is for they said it was for an advance payment to SARS for the duties and VAT 5. DHL, like all other VAT vendors in SA does not pay SARS immediately but does this later. 6. It took 2 days and numerous phone calls to reach their supervisor , Lungi , to respond. 7. Lungi admitted that DHL does not pay SARS in advance and then said this R200 was a disbur*****t fee? A disbur*****t for what???? 8. She then had the arrogance to say that they would revoke the R200 fee if we paid SARS the VAT/duties directly ourselves and send them proof of payment. 9. It is not our job ,DHL, to liaise with SARS. It yours and is included in the fee paid for by the sender. 10.Neither will DHL release the parcel until they receive payment in advance, effectively holding a customer to ransom. 11. Why DON’T TNT & Fedex levy an "advance payment Fee"?

Bottom line:

-As an organization you receive all monies due in advance before releasing the shipment - Assuming you charge all other customers an "advance payment Fee" raises the question as to whether this is either ethical or legal

A principle issue DHL…..

Shame on you Lungui

Shane on you DHL

0
Replies (3)
DHL Express
DHL Express's reply03 Feb 2021, 11:02
Official
Dear Linda 

I trust you are well and safe. 

I appreciate that this has not been a happy encounter with DHL Express, as we strive to offer a top quality service at all times. Incidents of this nature are not taken lightly and we appreciate feedback from our valued customers in order to improve on our services.

Please look out for my email shortly so we can discuss this matter further. 

Kind Regards 
Lebogang Madihlaba 
DHL Express South Africa, 
lV
linda V's update04 Feb 2021, 11:50
Reviewer Update
DHL's less than helpful reply:

The Disbur*****t Fee is a fee that DHL chargers to act as your broker with customs to have your shipments cleared.
As stated if you would rather deal with SARS directly kindly inform us on arrival of your shipment with your broker details and we will gladly hand it over for their clearance.
lV
linda V's update04 Feb 2021, 11:55
Reviewer Update
Thank you Leboza however we will never use DHL.
We have had bad experiences in every instance with your organization .
The only time we are subjected to your organization is when parcels are sent from other entities and THEY elect to use you.
We are quite happy with TNt and Fedex in our own business operations and spend on average ***** a month with them in my business, in some months more
BTW they do not charge “your misnomer fee” which seems to morph in its description with regular monotony.
And you should inform your clients before hand that they have this option of acting as their own agent, to do what DHL should do as a matter of course.
A principle issue which is beyond your realm.

A pity that so many customers are not aware of what appears to a highly questionable ethical charge by DHL