Gifts from USA...Now we have to pay VAT+ handling fees.

custardy

at £13 its unlikely

continualdiamond

I've had this happen as well, however at the moment only just the once.

I have lived in the UK for 7 years and receive bday and xmas pressies from my parents/sister back in Australia. Occassionally my mum will send gifts over randomly in the year.

This is when last year i first encounted being charged, roughly about the same price you mentioned OP. I knew nothing about it at all and was shocked to say the least that i had to pay to receive my parcel.

It's obviously random, but then like you i might be selected all the time if they make a note of it. But like i said, i get at most 3 parcels a year, my bday, OH's bday and xmas, maybe if its more they'll charge me more often, i don't know.