A Courier Demanding Tax (UK) before shipping within EEC

[Mr Kangaroo]

Hi, an International courier company regd in UK was paid in full for a shipment from a country outside EEC (where they picked up the shipment) to reach and be delivered to Italy for a repair. The consignee is happy to make customs clearance in Italy but the courier says because they don't have offices in Italy, they want the consignee to pay for clearance (Taxes) in the UK which, according to consignee that will be against the Italian law. While the dispute between the Courier and Consignee is ongoing for nearly a year now, the sender (customer) is incurring daily costs because he's hired another equipment in order to continue running his business. The customer is a victim here and is seeking advice on who to sue for the charges he's incurred todate. Questions are; Although the courier says the UK is their EEC hub, why would they demand Taxes/Clearence be made in Uk while they KNEW the destination of the shipment is Italy when they picked up the shipment? can the customer sue Courier and demand compensation for the costs (renting another equipment) he's incurred while the dispute is ongoing? What does the UK law say in regard to above scenario (i.e Is the courier making the right and legal demands)? Please help.