Anyone looked into reclaiming unlawful US duties sending with PDDP Royal mail?

[jjscruff]

Can't find anyone talking about this online but there must be many businesses who paid big unlawful tariffs who would like to see those funds returned to them.

looks like the individual or company has to do it themselves, rather than Royal mail.

 

[DefinitelyMaybeUK]

mmm, my understanding was that only the actual direct payee to the customs authority was able to reclaim the monies. In the PDDP case, I believe it's a company called Zonos with whom RM partnered in the US. I have seen nothing from RM on them reclaiming, but I'm not counting on it happening anytime soon

 

[DontAsk]

If you shipped to the US duty paid then the customer paid you. As far as thay are concerned you are on the hook to refund the duty that they paid to you.

 

[jjscruff]

incorrect with PDDP. the sender pays the tariffs

zonos are just the tech platform enabling RM customers to pay their tariffs. but maybe they would be involved somewhere on reclaiming

 

[DontAsk]

incorrect with PDDP. the sender pays the tariffs

As a convenience for the customer.

 

[DefinitelyMaybeUK]

The official reclaim guidance is here:

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/webinar_ieepa_refunds_overview_4.17.pdf

Only the "Importer of Record (IORs) and authorized customs brokers" can make a claim, which in the PDDP case is not the buyer or seller, and at best is Royal Mail, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was Zonos as mentioned.

 

[DontAsk]

I understand the rules.

My point is if I were a buyer in the US I would see the duty as part of the cost of the item and would be pissed off if it were declared illegal but I could not get a refund.

I would be chasing the supplier who paid the duty on my behalf. Probably wouldn't get anywhere but...

 

[DefinitelyMaybeUK]

@DontAsk, I wholly agree with you on the buyer aspects, but the OP asked how to reclaim and I assumed this was the official route from CBP. The first requirement of the reclaim process is having had form 5106 in place and being registered as an IOR in the US - this wasn't necessary to use the RM PDDP, hence I believe only RM or Zonos are in a position to reclaim.

 

[louis292]

Can't find anyone talking about this online but there must be many businesses who paid big unlawful tariffs who would like to see those funds returned to them.

looks like the individual or company has to do it themselves, rather than Royal mail.

Dealing with international duties is always a headache. Doing it manually sounds exhausting.