Charged customs tax on full value of goods but purchased them on a 40% discount!!

superbigal36

Also the shipping costs that are included and used to charge the import vat are "perceived costs".
I think they have a table lookup for weights and volume etc.
This covers for so called "free shipping" on certain orders.
Ie If the invoice declares free carriage that would not be used to calculate the duty.

The clearance charge is standard.

Destinyscheeks

Just to clarify, I redirected it to my family member who then sent it to me as I was saving on shipping! It was free to ship the goods to another US address whereas it was $150 to send it directly to me - I was not attempting to defraud HMRC!!

Im fully aware that gifts are liable for customs/import VAT, Im merely disputing the amount I was charged by customs. The declarations form is incorrect as it states a value $300 but the full amount (what I paid for the goods + my family member shipping it to me) is a little over $200 so Ive certainly overpaid on customs duty/import VAT.

(The below is copied and pasted from the gov.uk website)

VAT
You pay VAT on goods sent from non-European Union (EU) countries and EU special territories (eg the Canary Islands) if they’re:

-gifts worth more than £39
-other goods worth more than £15
-alcohol, tobacco products and fragrances (eg perfume, eau de toilette and cologne) of any value

You’ll be charged at the VAT rate that applies to your goods. VAT is charged on the total value, including:

-the price paid for the goods
-postage, packaging and insurance
-any duty you owe

Customs Duty
You’ll be charged Customs Duty on gifts and other goods sent from outside the EU if they’re above a certain value. The value includes:

-the price paid for the goods
-postage, packaging and insurance

Type and value of goods Customs Duty
-Anything under £135 No charge
-Gifts worth £135-£630 2.5%, but rates are lower for some goods - call the helpline
-Gifts above £630 and other goods above £135 The rate depends on the type of goods and where they came from - call the helpline