Customs fee to pay

motherofstudents

Not sure if this is the correct forum but I came home to find a parcel near the front door. It is from a friend in Australia - souvenirs from her holiday in Hawaii, posted from Australia. It has a sticker saying “Customs fee to pay” and a sticker showing £25.27 to pay.  As it was just left here I had no option of refusing it. I haven’t opened the parcel.  

Does anyone know if I’ll receive an invoice ? It says on the sticker “this package cannot be delivered until the charges are paid” She has put the value as $150 ASD.  A bit confusing.

TELLIT01

You will probably receive an invoice in a few days from the courier company. 

pinkshoes

motherofstudents said:

Not sure if this is the correct forum but I came home to find a parcel near the front door. It is from a friend in Australia - souvenirs from her holiday in Hawaii, posted from Australia. It has a sticker saying “Customs fee to pay” and a sticker showing £25.27 to pay.  As it was just left here I had no option of refusing it. I haven’t opened the parcel.  

Does anyone know if I’ll receive an invoice ? It says on the sticker “this package cannot be delivered until the charges are paid” She has put the value as $150 ASD.  A bit confusing.

$150 ASD is about £88, so I think some sort of income tax will be due.

A quick google says anything over £39 (goods cost plus postage) will attract VAT, so you will need to pay the 20% VAT on this.

Customs duty is only to be paid over values of £135 so this is not applicable in your case. If they have applied it, then get it remove - they have maybe mistake the value in dollars for UK £.

You usually also have to pay a handling fee too. About £11 possibly. 

I'd work out how much you think it might be (Maybe about £30??), then phone up the courier and pay it. Otherwise they will chase you for it. 

Sounds like a nice gesture from your friend. I'd thank them then politely point out the limit for UK VAT and duty to them if they weren't aware. 

Alderbank

$150 ASD is about £88. No customs duty is levied on items from Oz costing less than £135 so I don't think it is customs duty. However UK VAT has to be paid on the total of the value plus the shipping costs. VAT on £88 is about £18 so it looks to me like it is VAT.

Will you get a bill? The courier has paid VAT to HMRC on your behalf so you owe the money and should expect to pay. However they have just delivered it so who knows? I would just wait and see.

In the meantime, no reason why you shouldn't open the parcel your friend has been kind enough to send and enjoy the contents

ETA: Sorry, pinkshoes, double posted

motherofstudents

Thanks everyone. I think it must be vat plus handling fee. I’m afraid curiosity got the better of me and I opened it ! A beautiful Christmas decoration with the names of our grandchildren, amongst other things. I guess if I have to pay I will but strange they just left it. Thanks for your help.