I have a query about policy and data protection. For a long time I was able to use tracking data to work out when a package had arrived from overseas at my local delivery office, then just go down there to pay the charges as soon as it arrived there. Never a problem so long as I had ID, proof of address and a credit card to pay whatever charges were levied. It was a lot faster than waiting for the card.
However, I'm now being told that it's illegal under data protection laws (specifically the GDPR) for the delivery office staff to speak to me about a package for which I haven't received a gray customs charges notification card, even if I have tracking information email, proof of address, a government issued photo ID and the person dealing with me has confirmed my identity sufficiently to release a package I do have the gray card for. This doesn't seem to be correct based on what I know about how data protection law works. It wouldn't be a problem if the cards came the next day, but quite often they can take over a week to send the notification card from the delivery office and I can literally see the delivery office from my home office window as I type this.
Is it correct that data protection law prevents the delivery office staff from dealing with a customer who has the tracking number, proof of address and a government issued photo ID if they do not have the gray custom charges card?
Is there anyway I can register online to pay the charges as soon as they are issued rather than waiting for the card to be delivered?
ANNOUNCEMENT : ALL OF ROYAL MAIL'S EMPLOYMENT POLICIES (AGREEMENTS) AT A GLANCE (Updated 2021)... HERE
ANNOUNCEMENT : PLEASE BE AWARE WE ARE NOT ON FACEBOOK AT ALL!
Paying customs charges without card?
Forum rules
For help with tracking please see...HERE
For information about your item being in HWDC Langley please see...HERE
For information about any other mail or if you have a complaint or general query, we first suggest you contact Royal Mail, see the link HERE.
Implications on mail after the UK's exit from the EU
From 1st January the rules for sending and receiving items to and from the EU will change.For more details please see... HERE
For help with tracking please see...HERE
For information about your item being in HWDC Langley please see...HERE
For information about any other mail or if you have a complaint or general query, we first suggest you contact Royal Mail, see the link HERE.
Implications on mail after the UK's exit from the EU
From 1st January the rules for sending and receiving items to and from the EU will change.For more details please see... HERE
-
Snaggletooth
- EX POST OFFICE
- Posts: 2226
- Joined: 13 Sep 2011, 20:17
- Gender: Male
Paying customs charges without card?
I would agree with you that the GDPR does not prevent Royal Mail from doing this. In fact, I would go further. A package that is addressed to you counts as data, as defined by the GDPR, and that data belongs to you. Refusal to discuss what data they are holding on you, even if that data consists of a package in a frame, may constitute a breech of the GDPR.
This would be entirely separate from whether they should hand the item over to you, which is governed by the laws on handling mail, and are quite different to the GDPR.
I would suspect that the real issue is that your delivery office is not processing these items quickly and is trying to hide behind the GDPR to cover this up.
Next time you get this story, I would ask for it in writing.
This would be entirely separate from whether they should hand the item over to you, which is governed by the laws on handling mail, and are quite different to the GDPR.
I would suspect that the real issue is that your delivery office is not processing these items quickly and is trying to hide behind the GDPR to cover this up.
Next time you get this story, I would ask for it in writing.
-
VaKo
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 18 Feb 2019, 11:43
- Gender: Male
Paying customs charges without card?
OK, this confirms what I thought and you do present an interesting angle regarding the package being data on me. I think I'll try contacting corporate before I start demanding written refusals from my local DO.