TNT FEES - Really ??

I ordered a Package from China and ended up paying $35.00 (R 430.00) at today's exchange rate to be shipped by TNT Worldwide. As I needed the items urgently I accepted the additional costs of $35.00 so to enable me having the package within 14 days. Package left the supplier within a day as promised and I followed the tracking number. No delays until reaching South Africa.

Today I received an invoice from TNT Express Worldwide SA (Pty) Ltd's COD specialist with an invoice for R 818.20.

Which is broken down as follows VAT R 385.00 (Charged by Customs and accepted as I have to pay VAT) ADMIN FEE (TNT) R 380.00 VAT (TNT) R 53.20 (CHARGED AGAIN - STRANGELY) Making the total cost for TNT (SOUTH AFRICA) R 433.20 (HIGHER THAN THE CUSTOMS AND VAT CHARGES)

What really is annoying is that I was not given the opportunity to go and pay the VAT myself, neither were I informed of the additional costs. I would have gladly driven out R 80.00 of fuel if I knew the extreme charges loaded onto the invoice by TNT Express Worldwide SA (Pty) Ltd.

I was not called and informed that there were additional costs, they have my number as they called me to find out what is in the package.

It is clearly stipulated in the invoice that they will not release the parcel unless the fees are paid into their bank account. This borders on ******ion and ********* to say the least. I have no contractual agreement with and TNT Express Worldwide SA (Pty) Ltd and neither did I ask or instruct them to act on my behalf as my agent.

As far as I am concerned, with the exclusion of the VAT portion, the fees charged is unacceptable in any standards.

Total costs for TNT Express Worldwide SA (Pty) Ltd and TNT International in the end is a whopping R 863.20 on a package that does not even weigh 1/2kg, is just extreme.

Unfortunately I need the package urgently so will have to pay the fees loaded onto the parcel at the end.

IF you order anything from abroad be careful of the Costs loaded onto the Account by TNT Express Worldwide SA (Pty) Ltd. Rather look for alternative or use one of their competitors, which i found half the price on orders in the past.

Just a friendly warning if you see TNT Worldwide mentioned on the parcel be aware you will be paying without an option.