Clarification of £135 Import Rules For Consumers

Hi Tracy3 Fletcher
If you bought the goods yourself and they are neither excise goods nor gifts sent to you (over £39) and valued under £135 including postage and any insurances you will not have to pay anything to the delivery company to receive goods.
Please see guidance at:
Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad: Tax and duty
Thank you 
 

Hi Ryanb4250 I would like to suggest that in the first instance you go back to the carrier and query how they have arrived at those amounts. You would possibly be being charged import duty ( the percentage will depend on the type of goods) plus 20% import VAT on the cost plus the duty. The Broker charges are commercial. If you still believe you have been overcharged you can make a reclaim to HMRC using a form c285

Hi ,
 

You need to contact VAT helpline for advice on if it is possible to account this on your VAT return. See link:  VAT: general enquiries  . Thank you .

I am considering buying some toys from Asia. The online retailer gives the price in GBP £ and also adds 20% VAT on for UK customers. The price of one item in particular is £68 + £13.60 VAT, making a total of £81.60 for the item. However, the shipping costs for the item is £55, bringing the overall cost to £136.60 total. Would this attract customs duty, since the value of the actual goods is £81.60, or would the shipping cost be taken into account too?

Hi SJM The value of the goods is £ 68 The retailer is adding the UK VAT onto their sale price as the value of the goods is below £135. Provided the seller quotes the correct details, cost of goods and the shipping and VAT separately plus their UK vat number there should be not be any additional charges.