Buyer refusing to pay import charges? DHL won't return it to me unless £119 paid!

[kitpimp]

I write regarding the shipment sent to xxx on December 08th 2022; which was transported by us under the above referenced Waybill number.

"Our DHL colleagues in Austria have contacted us to advise they are experiencing difficulties in concluding the delivery of your shipment, as we require further contact details for the receiver.

We have been unable to speak to the consignee with the details supplied on the waybill xxx

Failing any new contact information being provided, we would now await a written instruction from yourselves for the return or disposal of this shipment using the letter of authorisation attached to this email.

For this shipment to be returned at your account rates, we would require confirmation of your International (95/96) DHL Account Number, so that your international shipping rates can be accessed. If you do not have an international (95/96) DHL account number the RTO cost will be £119.00."

Now I am supplying his contact number in the hope he will pay his duty, it seems unfair that I should have to burden return costs but it seems he is avoiding it, I am corresponding the message over to him however, what if he refuses to pay, the parcel could be destroyed... and me in a loss

[pickermall]

I'm looking at your sold listings.. military stuff. Maybe that's a red flag? Also, your listings show you are in the UK... this is the USA board, so you may want to post on the Ebay UK boards?

[fab_finds4u]

The buyer is responsible for those fees. If they refuse to pay them that's refusing delivery. If they refuse delivery they lose eBay Buyer Protection.  You wouldn't be forced to refund if they filed a claim of not received on eBay. You would enter the tracking in the reply and say DHL can't deliver until the buyer pays the customs or broker fee they're responsible to pay, that the buyer is the reason it's not delivered. Then contact eBay and ask them to close the case because the buyer is refusing delivery.