Tax question on gifts posted back to UK
Dec 20th 2007, 4:43 pm
#16
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Location: The Big Apple
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Re: Tax question on gifts posted back to UK
On the last occasion the recipient was 'carded' (the package was not left, but a Royal Mail card was left instead) and told to collect the package from the local post office - after paying the duty.
I am no expert on this and can only offer my personal experience. My ex-wife could squeeze blood from a stone; if she didn't have to pay, then she wouldn't have done so
The card was completed correctly, and in full - even detailing the birthday card as one of the line items. Maybe Royal Mail Lancashire are blood sucking leeches 
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has been charged duty by the Royal Mail
, I am feeling victimized 
I am no expert on this and can only offer my personal experience. My ex-wife could squeeze blood from a stone; if she didn't have to pay, then she wouldn't have done so
The card was completed correctly, and in full - even detailing the birthday card as one of the line items. Maybe Royal Mail Lancashire are blood sucking leeches I'd be interested to know if anyone else has been charged duty by the Royal Mail
, I am feeling victimized 
Dec 20th 2007, 4:48 pm
#17
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 51
Re: Tax question on gifts posted back to UK
But what if you were just posting over stuff that say someone had left in the US visiting? Like some clothes or make up for example...can they still slap charges on it then?
Dec 20th 2007, 5:08 pm
#18
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 711
Re: Tax question on gifts posted back to UK
I believe I can help here because I have just had it happen to me. My boyfriend mailed a parcel to me for myself and my 2 children. I came home the other day to find an invoice from UPS saying I had to pay import tax and a surcharge fee totaling 36.65 GBP.
I spoke to UPS and they advised that each person is allowed up to a value of 36.00 GBP before being subject to tax. I ended up having to e-mail UPS stating that the parcel contained gifts for 3 people and that each person had gifts up to a value of $67 - my boyfriend had declared a total value of $200. UPS took this to customs and the charges have been waived.
I guess a way round it is to either under estimate the value of the gifts or state clearly on the parcel when you address it all the people that the gifts are intended for.
Hope this helps.
I spoke to UPS and they advised that each person is allowed up to a value of 36.00 GBP before being subject to tax. I ended up having to e-mail UPS stating that the parcel contained gifts for 3 people and that each person had gifts up to a value of $67 - my boyfriend had declared a total value of $200. UPS took this to customs and the charges have been waived.
I guess a way round it is to either under estimate the value of the gifts or state clearly on the parcel when you address it all the people that the gifts are intended for.
Hope this helps.
Dec 20th 2007, 5:26 pm
#19
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Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: Tax question on gifts posted back to UK
That's what happened to my friend who visited me in 2006. She and I forgot that she had washed laundry in my house (her kids stuff). I mailed it back. They were worn (i.e. not new) clothes and she did not have to pay any Customs Duty or Customs VAT on them. I just completed the Customs form accurately.
Dec 21st 2007, 4:46 am
#20
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 4,525
Re: Tax question on gifts posted back to UK
I mailed a new I phone over to my sister ($400) checked it as gift... it was opened and searched but she was not charged any tax etc when it arrived.
Dec 21st 2007, 8:16 pm
#21
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Location: Flower Mound Texas
Posts: 242
Re: Tax question on gifts posted back to UK
My friend visiting from the Uk brought loads of soft toys from Disney as well as some plates from Macy's and decided to box them up and send them to herself. She told me that she got a telephone call from a 'customs' man and had to pay £90 to have the box delivered.
My brother from the UK ran the Chicago marathon last year and was told if he wanted a copy of the dvd they do on the day it would cost him $60. That in itself was the threshold for customs. So I ordered it here, had it delivered to me in Florida $20 odd and then I sent it to him at a cost of $5. I put the true cost of the $20 on the customs form and he received it no problem. Just another way to get $$$$$
My brother from the UK ran the Chicago marathon last year and was told if he wanted a copy of the dvd they do on the day it would cost him $60. That in itself was the threshold for customs. So I ordered it here, had it delivered to me in Florida $20 odd and then I sent it to him at a cost of $5. I put the true cost of the $20 on the customs form and he received it no problem. Just another way to get $$$$$
