Money Moral Dilemma: Should I ask my friend to pay customs duty on the gift they sent from abroad?

witchone

Refuse and it will be returned to your friend, explain to her that you really can't afford to pay the duty. If she brings it next time she visits she won't have to pay it if she declares it.

The_big_yin

Ask your friend what is in the package to establish if £70 is reasonable. Explain to your friend that if sending gifts, better to purchase on a UK site and then no extra duty payable.

ggloria007

Pay this time, but in the future ask the sender what there are sending to make your mind whether it is worth or note! The duty includes the customs and vat which are calculated by the value of the goods... however it is so IMPORTANT to remember that the cost of POSTAGE is also included in the "value of the goods... "

alri08

I would also refuse the gift, but also contact the friend to thank her and explain. She most likely had no idea it would need £70 duty. Don't spend money you can't afford for something you don't need.

My father's strategy for sending presents abroad was to fill in the customs form saying used clothing, used books or used whatever and give it a low monetary value.

Suzewales

Call or message your friend to say thankyou,  but you're unable to afford the custom fee so cannot accept the gift. Notify them that it will probably be returned to them when you refuse the customs fee, and suggest that this may not be the best way to send any gifts to friends outside of the country they're living in. Be polite, but honest. This always pays off in the long run.

Ed264

Your friend has gone to the trouble of purchasing the gift of significant value, you could risk losing this friend if you ask her to cover the £70. I recommend you settle this yourself. Let's hope that your friend doesn't send your baby birthday gifts for years to come!

kimwp

Ed264 said:

Your friend has gone to the trouble of purchasing the gift of significant value, you could risk losing this friend if you ask her to cover the £70. I recommend you settle this yourself. Let's hope that your friend doesn't send your baby birthday gifts for years to come!

A genuine friend won't get upset that you aren't paying money you can't afford to receive her gift. If you lose a friend over this, they weren't a friend in the first place.

poppet43

You only pay customs on anything that is worth over £135 - I import dolls from the USA and know I will always have customs and a handling charge to pay.

MadMom

iclayt said:

Don't pay it, eventually it will be returned to sender and they'll work out they're not to send you things by post.

This is what I'd do frankly.  It's a gift you never had to start with. Presumably you don't even know what it is.  I'd just refuse delivery and have it returned to sender.  Not worth forking out taxes on something you may not even want.

ginger_chocolate

If I was the friend who sent the gift I would want you to tell me, and I would pay it for you. I'd be annoyed for sure, but at the system and at myself for not realising, not annoyed at you. I would be mortified if I later found out I'd inadvertently let you pay a £70 custom charge just to receive a gift.