DHL, Athens, Greece - two packages sitting in customs waiting for clearance - excessive handling costs

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on June 24, 2002:

From: Memnon Emmanuel [Email User]

RE: DHL, Athens, Greece - two packages sitting in customs waiting for clearance - excessive handling costs

I have these two packages sitting in Athens waiting for customs clearance. These packages have a value of about $50 each.

DHL is asking me to pay $60 per package to have them cleared through customs (not the actuall duty! just the handling costs).

They say they are not making and money on handling costs themselves, they are just passing on the cost of the local customs agent.

When asked to deliver the packages to the destination city (Thessaloniki) where I will personally clear them through customs, they still demand $40 per package!!!

This is outrageous behaviour from DHL. I have been receiving items from abroad for years through the local mail and other couriers, never have I seen such unprofessional conduct.

I have sent DHL USA two emails to date explaining the situation, no reply as of yet.

DHL. Avoid at all costs when sending items to Greece.