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

Opinionsme

I would contact your friend thanking her for the parcel's safe arrival, but say as you are unsure what to do about paying the duty as it seems rather a lot and let her make the decision

Ridnarhtim

Just talk to people! Especially if they're your friends.

It's shocking to me that people are genuinely suggesting to just let the parcel go back to the sender without a word - leading them to have wasted the money they spend on postage, and possibly the money they spent on the gift itself if it's something they themselves have no use for, plus making them feel really unappreciated. Chances are they just aren't aware of the UK's stupid post-Brexit rules. Maybe they'll tell you that the gift was incorrectly valued, maybe they'll tell you they'll cover the fees - in the absolute worst case, they'll tell you to not pay and let the gift go back. You lose absolutely nothing.

JeaneyB

If it was an unexpected gift from a friend...refuse to pay the tax...a lot of countries have to pay customs tax on parcels before they are sent, check if she did pay the tax at her end...otherwise explain that you are grateful for gifts but so sorry cannot except if you have to pay a lot of money to get it ....I'm sure if she is a good friend she will understand....I stopped sending my son gifts to Australia...even though I had paid customs tax this end (UK) he was expected to pay his end too...so it just wasn't worth 2 lots of tax....I just transfer money into his bank account now for birthdays and xmas...I know it's not the same, but at least he can spend the money on something he wants

[Deleted User]

My advice, although it may sound harsh, is simply this - and what I would do in your situation. Do not accept delivery of the gift, and do not under any circumstances ask your friend to pay the £70 import duty. Instead thank your friend very much for her kindness but explain just what you have said here - that as much as you would love to accept the gift, you simply cannot afford the high duty tariff. Your friend clearly won’t have realised you were going to be saddled with this charge so it would be completely unfair and unrealistic to ask her to pay for this on top of the gift itself! If it were me, even if your friend then offered to pay you for this, I would politely decline, as she should not have to do this. It is obviously also unfair for you to have to pay the charge, hence my advice not to! If your friend is genuine, she will not be offended by this decision. It will also stop her from sending other gifts to you in the future and you will no longer have this dilemma. Hope this helps!

Southendormargate

Refuse. It is just politicians trying to scam you.

Lindamar_

As others have said, ask your friend what is in the parcel, you might not think it's worth the money. £70 is too much to pay unless the present is worth hundreds and you could do with it.

Exodi

angeldog said:

I have the same problem with family in the USA sending me gifts.  It all depends on the value the sender puts on the customs declaration.  It is best to tell them to put a lower valuation so you will pay less customs charges.  

Tax authorities hate him! @angeldog saved £££'s by using this one weird trick, learn how you can too!

(The trick: fraud).

Exodi

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Never look a gift horse in the mouth!

Personally I wouldn’t ask for the money, as above too awkward, whatever it is must be worth more than the custom fee and what else might you miss out on being sent in the future? 

Indeed, the context is important.

£70 in duty for a big box of their children's second hand clothes which they've generously declared at RRP is a totally different situation to £70 duty on a brand new £1200 travel system - and in the latter case, I think it would be too awkward to reject it or request they pay the duty.

Minto13

I sent Christmas cards to my son and his family in Belgium at a cost of £4-50 postage. On delivery the Belgian post office demanded 25 euros tax. My son refused to pay it and the cards were returned to me six months later. God knows what that cost. Put it down to another Brexit bonus.

LizzieFlorence

I have the same problem as my son and his family live in Belgium. If the gift is over £20 he used to pay customs duties. Now if a specific gift is required I buy it in Amazon Be. Or transfer the money for him to buy it for her. £70 duty does sound exorbitant though. I would be tempted to thank her for the gift but then tell her very nicely  to expect her parcel back as the duty was far more than you could afford. If she is a genuine friend I'm sure she'd understand and probably had no idea that her gift would incur such charges