Does a Duty Deferment Account Eliminate Courier Brokerage Fees?

[Jack O]

We have a 'duty deferment account' with HMRC [for VAT and duties].

If we authorise DHL, UPS etc. to use our DAN number, does this eliminate the brokerage or handling fee that the couriers usually impose?

 

[Mike Godwin]

A duty deferment account is only a mechanism to collect duty & VAT that is deferred rather than paying immediately upon importation. The 'brokerage' fee is likely a fee to cover additional admin plus customs clearance and handling and is nothing to do with duty & VAT. That said I would always suggest you speak with your specific courier company to clarify.