parcelforce clearance fee 2012

ddd213

hi all, i'm new to the forum. have read lots of threads about parcelforce's clearance fee...but the suggestions apply to the postal act of 2000, and the new postal act 2011 appears to close the loophole of avoiding paying the clearance fee.
i wouldn't even mind paying it if it was an actual import, but it's a birthday gift! i was sent a birthday present from my parents last week, and parcelforce are holding it until i pay £20.74 vat and £8.00 admin fee
this seems an expensive way to receive a gift! especially as my dad already paid $50.00 postage. it was marked gift, not sure what he put on the value box.
any comments?

kondormid

It is probably worth explaining to your parents that you personally would be better off if in the future they bought you presents from a UK website.

The simple way of explaining it is if the value of the goods is more than £40 then it can not be counted as a gift. If it is worth less than £40 and is a gift then they should count it as a gift.

Is it worth more than £40?

AHAR

kondormid wrote: »

Is it worth more than £40?

If they want £20.74 VAT, I would hope so!

custardy

ddd213 wrote: »

hi all, i'm new to the forum. have read lots of threads about parcelforce's clearance fee...but the suggestions apply to the postal act of 2000, and the new postal act 2011 appears to close the loophole of avoiding paying the clearance fee.
i wouldn't even mind paying it if it was an actual import, but it's a birthday gift! i was sent a birthday present from my parents last week, and parcelforce are holding it until i pay £20.74 vat and £8.00 admin fee
this seems an expensive way to receive a gift! especially as my dad already paid $50.00 postage. it was marked gift, not sure what he put on the value box.
any comments?

right,but the item is worth £100+,then the postage is included
so what exactly are you complaining about?
the VAT is due regardless who the carrier is