Charged Customs From Essential Day Spa- Canada

Cat72

Hi
I have ordered from essentail day spa canada before no problem. However I have now been charged custom charges of £32.30 !! in order to recieve my package. What happens now / has anyone else had this problem ? I didnt think you got custom charge from Canada- have I any way of making the company pay ? thanks

dc

You have to pay VAT on items over £18 from abroad, and sometimes duty too. Would suggest you have been lucky in the past as they don't seem to check every package. Maybe this order was a bit too big and attracted their (Customs) attention. Always try to get the firm you are buying from to put GIFT on the white International Customs sticker (CN22?) they have to put on all parcels.

Cat72

The company did put "gift" on it but I have still been charged VAT on this.However I was recommended essential spa to use on this site and no one has ever mentioned being charged Vat.

Philippa36

Sometimes they charge, sometimes they don't

My Dad lives in the US and occasionally sends gifts over for the kids. We have been charged VAT twice.

I guess you could refuse delivery and request a refund but I doubt the company would pay the charge for you.

weemee

However if you put 'gift' or ask someone to do it for you, when it is not, then you can be prosecuted for 'being knowingly or fraudulently involved in the evasion of a tax or duty'.

calleyw

Also had a feeling that gifts could be no more than £36 in worth.

Other wise you have to pay custom charges.


Yours


Calley

appleblossom

not much help on this one I'm afraid, but if you order from strawberry.net (think thats what it is called), they will refund any customs charges to you on receipt of the charge paperwork (as my mum has just found out!!)