Import Duty Rant

T

TitanTim

Elite
Hi guys,

A friend in the US send me a Birthday present recently for which they marked the customs form as a gift and put down what was in the box which is some shirts and ties. Received an import invoice from Parcelforce today wanting £42.65 for import vat at 34.65 and clearance fee of 8 quid. I'm ok with the clearance fee but a bit pissed off with vat especially as its a gift, so have to fork out to receive my gift. Flipping robbers.

Anyone think I have a case to claim the vat back or do I have to lump it. :(

Tim.
 
Been stung a few times in the past, not a whole lot you can do I'm afraid. Your probably spend more on endless phone calls :(
 
Thank you guys, I need to see the value written on the customs declaration form attached to the parcel but of course need to pay up to receive it. I could ask my friend but seems a shame when she sent it as a gift. I've received lots of things from the States in the past as gifts and not had to pay up.

Tim.
 
In a year's time you could say the same about products from Europe if the UK exits :)
 
You get birthday presents worth that much from friends? :poke: :evil:
 
Thanks John, unfortunately the big feet are missing on this pic :lol:



pvr as you can see it doesn't take me long to lose friends :?

Tim.
 
Yeah, same thing over here in The Netherlands :headbang:
But the weird part is that if you bring home items/goods/gifts whilst arriving by plane at the airport, the dutyfree amount is a lot higher.

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-outside-the-eu
Allowance for other goods
*You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat).
*If a single item’s worth more than your allowance you pay any duty or tax on its full value, not just the value above the allowance.

If you go over your allowance:
You pay Customs Duty on anything you bring in above your allowance.
*The rate: is 2.5% for goods worth up to £630
*depends on the type of goods if they’re worth more than £630 - check by calling the VAT, Customs and Excise Helpline
You don’t pay Customs Duty if you owe less than £9.
Click to expand...

TitanTim said:
Just spoke to my friend in US she put $260 on the form so why I've been charged. Sucks.
Click to expand...
Maybe your friend should have put a lower amount on the form (below the duty and tax free amount).
But maybe that would be considered as fraud.... :roll:
https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty
Tax and duty
You’ll be contacted by Royal Mail, Parcelforce or the courier company explaining how to pay any VAT, duty and fees for dealing with customs.
They’ll normally hold your parcel for about 3 weeks. If you haven’t paid the fee by then, it’ll be sent back.

VAT
You pay VAT on goods sent from non-European Union (EU) countries and EU special territories (eg the Canary Islands) if they’re:
gifts worth more than £36
other goods worth more than £15
alcohol, tobacco products and fragrances (eg perfume, eau de toilette and cologne) - of any value
*You’ll be charged at the VAT rate that applies to your goods. VAT is charged on the total value, including:
the price paid for the goods, postage, packaging and insurance, any duty you owe
*Customs Duty
You’ll be charged Customs Duty on gifts and other goods sent from outside the EU if they’re above a certain value, unless the duty comes to less than £9.

The value includes:
the price paid for the goods, postage, packaging and insurance
Type and value of goods Customs Duty
Anything under £135 No charge
Gifts worth £135-£630 2.5%, but rates are lower for some goods - call the helpline
Gifts above £630 and other goods above £135 The rate depends on the type of goods and where they came from - call the helpline
Click to expand...
 
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