Fees on parcels

I agree with Mr M. Hili and Mr K. Scicluna (The Sunday Times, May 1) regarding the unjust fees on parcels bundled together by the Maltapost and Customs Department.

I encountered the same problems myself about two months ago when I collected four parcels from Maltapost in Marsa. These parcels, coming from Jersey in the Channel Islands (not part of the EU) each costing less than the limit of £18, were bound together with a rubber band becoming one larger parcel. Obviously, the four parcels together exceeded the limit of £18, hence, VAT and duty had to be paid (Lm6 were collected on this occasion).

Without doubt these fees are unjust. Four parcels don't become one just because certain officials from the Customs Department decided one fine day that this is the policy to follow from now on.

I know for sure that not all Customs officials agree with this unjust policy. However, when contacted, one even boasted that he was one of the architects of this ingenious policy!

What about the respect and treatment of clients? One must say that when Maltese customers deal with foreign companies they are given excellent service. Unfortunately, I cannot say that the Maltese client is given the same service. Two months ago I contacted the Customs Department through the Website www.mfin.gov.mt to submit my query... I am still waiting for a reply! It is clear that this policy is something made in Malta and it does not exist in other EU countries.

Finally, I would like Maltapost to clarify something regarding parcels arriving on the same day. How come parcels coming from Jersey never arrived on the same day before this policy was implemented? Is it a coincidence? If they arrived in the same day before, how come they were never delivered together? Inefficiency? What about the parcels that never arrive?