Parcel refused by customs police

[Pauline4Pete]

We ordered some food from the company British Corner Shop. No fresh produce just tea bags tins chocolate etc. Nearly 3 weeks later and no delivery we have been told by the customs police that food is not allowed to be delivered in Turkey and they said they would be sending the parcel back, no idea or indication as to when this would be happening.
We ordered in good faith simply because the company said they could deliver to Turkey. Couple of questions for anyone who can help.
1) Is it right the refused point blank to let us have the parcel?
2) Should we have expected to maybe pay duty on i.e tea in excess of 500gms?
3) Is there anyone we can talk to to establish the facts?

We were given no paperwork by customs or advice or help. In fact to the officials found it highly amusing and we are nearly £300 out of pocket and not sure if the suppliers will refund.

[heather07]

I am not an expert on this subject but am sure if they said they could deliver in Turkey they are duty bound to fulfil the contract they have entered into with you.  
If they cannot fulfil the contract you are entitled to a refund.  If they have stated they can deliver then you entered contract in good faith.
Consumer protection should be able to help.

[tinkerman]

£300! for t bags tins chocolate etc?

[Scunner]

If you ordered tea and chocolate from Turkey to be delivered to the UK I think you would have even less chance of ever seeing it. That's the way the World is today, nothing to do with Turkey specifically.

[Pauline4Pete]

Ordered from U.K to be delivered to Turkey!!

[Scunner]

quote:Originally posted by heather07

I am not an expert on this subject but am sure if they said they could deliver in Turkey

They said they could deliver to Turkey and they did - local laws and custom regulations are the responsibility of the customer I think you will find.

[Scunner]

quote:Originally posted by Pauline4Pete

Ordered from U.K to be delivered to Turkey!!

If you ordered tea and chocolate from Turkey to be delivered to the UK I think you would have even less chance of ever seeing it. That's the way the World is today, nothing to do with Turkey specifically.

[heather07]

They might be better to say they would deliver but laws won't let them to save disappointment.

[Scunner]

Yes but my initial point is that the rules are pretty much the same for UK/Turkey/Australia/EU, in fact most countries. If they stopped supplying British food goods to expats in countries that have a no food consignment law, then they have no business at all. They are a company that supplies food to abroadshire...

[Scunner]

quote:Originally posted by Scunner

local laws and custom regulations are the responsibility of the customer I think you will find.

Listen to your Uncle Scunner - from their website, terms & conditions (the small print):

10 IMPORT DUTY AND CUSTOMS

10.1 If you order Products from our site for delivery outside the UK, they may be subject to import duties and taxes which are levied when the delivery reaches the specified destination. You will be responsible for payment of any such import duties and taxes. Please note that we have no control over these charges and cannot predict their amount.

10.2 Please also note that you must comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the country for which the products are destined. We will not be liable for any breach by you of any such laws.