Issue with border force incorrectly charging me import VAT

powerful_Rogue

Sounds like you fall foul of part 2.

To qualify as gifts, goods must be:

1) described as gifts on the customs declaration

2) for a birthday, anniversary or other occasion

3) bought and sent between individuals (not companies)

4) intended for personal use

Espeically with one person sending you 3 parcels. In which case you would be looking at the £15 limit and not £39.

joshnator1

powerful_Rogue said:

Sounds like you fall foul of part 2.

To qualify as gifts, goods must be:

1) described as gifts on the customs declaration

2) for a birthday, anniversary or other occasion

3) bought and sent between individuals (not companies)

4) intended for personal use

Espeically with one person sending you 3 parcels. In which case you would be looking at the £15 limit and not £39.

If that was the case, why is it still happening with parcels that are a week apart from 2 different people. I was told by HMRC that the have go with what is written on the CN22 regardless. I had one a few days ago that they charged me for which the total amount the package is £18 with postage and marked as a gift.

bris

They obviously dispute all these are truly "gifts". They will also be looking at how many you are getting and lump them all together believing you to be splitting the packages to avoid customs charges.

powerful_Rogue

Just because it is marked as a 'gift', does not mean further checks won't be made.

joshnator1

bris said:

They obviously dispute all these are truly "gifts". They will also be looking at how many you are getting and lump them all together believing you to be splitting the packages to avoid customs charges.

I can understand that about the 5 together although they are from different people and from different parts of the country. I normally get 1 every 2-3 weeks and they are being charged import VAT.

joshnator1

powerful_Rogue said:

Just because it is marked as a 'gift', does not mean further checks won't be made.

Don’t border force need to tell me that they have done further checks as they do if they need to open a parcel for inspection.

KatrinaWaves

joshnator1 said:

bris said:

They obviously dispute all these are truly "gifts". They will also be looking at how many you are getting and lump them all together believing you to be splitting the packages to avoid customs charges.

I can understand that about the 5 together although they are from different people and from different parts of the country. I normally get 1 every 2-3 weeks and they are being charged import VAT.

You have very generous friends if they send you gifts every 2 weeks... 

you also said three were from the same person so those were sent separately to avoid customs? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done the same, with sellers marking as gift when it’s not, but I realise if I get caught it get caught 🤷🏻‍♀️

joshnator1

KatrinaWaves said:

joshnator1 said:

bris said:

They obviously dispute all these are truly "gifts". They will also be looking at how many you are getting and lump them all together believing you to be splitting the packages to avoid customs charges.

I can understand that about the 5 together although they are from different people and from different parts of the country. I normally get 1 every 2-3 weeks and they are being charged import VAT.

You have very generous friends if they send you gifts every 2 weeks... 

you also said three were from the same person so those were sent separately to avoid customs? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done the same, with sellers marking as gift when it’s not, but I realise if I get caught it get caught 🤷🏻‍♀️

They aren’t very high value I normally send money to cover the postage cost. They were sent separately but because of the delay covid has caused they all came in around the same time.

powerful_Rogue

joshnator1 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

Just because it is marked as a 'gift', does not mean further checks won't be made.

Don’t border force need to tell me that they have done further checks as they do if they need to open a parcel for inspection.

No to both of those questions.

powerful_Rogue

joshnator1 said:

KatrinaWaves said:

joshnator1 said:

bris said:

They obviously dispute all these are truly "gifts". They will also be looking at how many you are getting and lump them all together believing you to be splitting the packages to avoid customs charges.

I can understand that about the 5 together although they are from different people and from different parts of the country. I normally get 1 every 2-3 weeks and they are being charged import VAT.

You have very generous friends if they send you gifts every 2 weeks... 

you also said three were from the same person so those were sent separately to avoid customs? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done the same, with sellers marking as gift when it’s not, but I realise if I get caught it get caught 🤷🏻‍♀️

They aren’t very high value I normally send money to cover the postage cost. They were sent separately but because of the delay covid has caused they all came in around the same time.

If you're sending money to cover the postage cost, then these are not gifts. As such the £15 limit applies.

You've tried to play the system as many people do, but it hasn't worked for you this time.