customs charged duty on Christmas gifts-help

EllieWellie

Dizzie wrote: »

Oh had to tell his mum to get the info about the parcel from her because customs and parcel force wouldn't tell us anything about why we'd been charged. She probably is upset, I would be if I went to the trouble of sending family gifts and this happened and now she's having to give us a list of everything and what it cost, really horrible when it's presents.

It's awful isn't it. She's been really organised and then this - and you're dead right what you said earlier, it's the genuine senders who get stung - not the ones who know how to and reguarly abuse the system. Hope you manage to sort it out.

Dizzie_3

Kazipoo wrote: »

Is it too far to collect them in the new year?? Are we talking halfway around the world here? I would weigh up the pro's and con's. If you might be going to visit in the next few months, I might be tempted to get them sent back to her and pick them up when you next go.... but then I'm a tightwad according to my kids lol.

If thats out of the question, do you know if the presents are actually worth that much?? I know they are from family, and its the thought etc, but I would be sorely tempted to have them sent back.

New Zealand, couldn't get much futher but I'd be over there in a flash if we could!

jetty

Have you tried speaking to someone at the CAB? They could call on your behalf and actually try to help as appose to customs fobbing you off.

Good luck and i hope you get this sorted soon xx

Kazipoo

Dizzie wrote: »

New Zealand, couldn't get much futher but I'd be over there in a flash if we could!

Seems everyone lives in NZ these days.... we are hoping to emigrate there within 10 years and tbh I can't wait!!!

In that case, I would pay the charges and argue the toss later.

Doc_N

Dizzie wrote: »

If the items had been fully listed and my mil stated the gifts where for 5 people they wouldn't have added charges, thats what I've been told by customs anyway. It is open to abuse and the annoying thing is they'd know what they where doing and get round the charges, it's the unsuspecting, genuine, people who get stung!

Bad luck. The answer's now very clear, though. You'll need to pay the charge, then claim it back from HMRC by telling them the full facts. You could talk to them here (note the geographical number at the bottom if you're using a mobile or have a calling plan) if you prefer, though I doubt you'd be able to get it sorted out quickly enough:

VAT Helpline

If you can't find the answer to your question on the HMRC website, the quickest and easiest way is to ring the VAT helpline where you can get the most of your VAT questions answered. Before you ring, make sure you have your VAT registration number and postcode to hand. If you're not VAT registered you'll need your postcode. Opening hours8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday
Closed weekends and bank holidays 0845 010 9000 For customers who are deaf or hearing or speech impaired:0845 000 0200 (Textphone) A textphone allows you to type what you want to say rather than speaking into a mouthpiece. You can use a textphone instead of a voice telephone if you are deaf or have problems with your speech. It is not possible to speak to an adviser by phoning a textphone number. If you're calling from abroad please telephone:+44 2920 501 261

Dizzie_3

Doc_N wrote: »

Bad luck. The answer's now very clear, though. You'll need to pay the charge, then claim it back from HMRC by telling them the full facts. You could talk to them here (note the geographical number at the bottom if you're using a mobile or have a calling plan) if you prefer, though I doubt you'd be able to get it sorted out quickly enough:

VAT Helpline

If you can't find the answer to your question on the HMRC website, the quickest and easiest way is to ring the VAT helpline where you can get the most of your VAT questions answered. Before you ring, make sure you have your VAT registration number and postcode to hand. If you're not VAT registered you'll need your postcode. Opening hours8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday
Closed weekends and bank holidays 0845 010 9000 For customers who are deaf or hearing or speech impaired:0845 000 0200 (Textphone) A textphone allows you to type what you want to say rather than speaking into a mouthpiece. You can use a textphone instead of a voice telephone if you are deaf or have problems with your speech. It is not possible to speak to an adviser by phoning a textphone number. If you're calling from abroad please telephone:+44 2920 501 261

Thats the number I rang when I couldn't get through to the number on the letter, it's just a general advice line and the first person I spoke to gave me wrong info, did get someone better later but he couldn't go into specfics so no more use than the website sadly.