Refund the exorbitant duty you app**** on my shipment

I received an email on the 11/09/23 stating that the parcel I had sent via DHL to Stellenbosch, Cape Town had arrived but, I needed to pay a sum of R3413.15 for import duty/tax before the parcel can be delivered to the Consignee. I paid the duty on the 14/09/23 and arranged for delivery on the 15/09/23 between 8:00-12:30pm but, nothing materialised.

Then, I received another email demanding the sum of R5731.00 after I attempted to track the parcel via their website. On tracking, nothing was showing that there was an increase on import duty but, a message stating that the item was ready for collection by the consignee. Myself and the Consignee enquired about the whereabouts of the item. Consignee was informed that the Government had increased the import duty from R 3413.55 to R5731.00 and should pay the difference before item can be delivered. I sent an email to DHL in SA to verity this and I was informed that the item (phone) is considered a luxury item and attracts advalorem duty. So they had increased the import duty by R2317,45 and declined to deliver it until the new charge was paid.

The Consignee ended up paying the second fee because he was afraid the item might get lost. We totally lost confidence in their service after this experience. We regarded them as one of the best Couriers but, not anymore.

Further, they used a very high exchange rate than what was available on the market to heighten it's current value. Hence, the advalorem duty and high import duty. If, I knew we will end up paying that huge amount of money for import duty, I would not have sent the item with DHL. I can't see Post Office charging such humongous amount of money for clearing a phone. I have used Post Office before and I have not encountered such unashamed swindling of their customer's hard earned money. I am asking you (DHL) to refund the R2317.45 you have increased after I had already paid a huge duty you initially app**** on the item. I feel cheated and I don't really think I should suffer due to your maladministration. So, I am asking if you can at least refund the second duty that you app**** after the initial duty was already paid for.