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

Dizzycap

CapeTown said:

Sorry but you are being too British about this. As mentioned earlier,  ask your friend what is in the parcel. It is more than likely going to be less value than the duty. It is ridiculous that we have to pay for gifts but there we are.

I totally agree! Find out what the item is and then decide whether just to leave it / refuse it and let the item be returned

fern37

That £70 would be better spent on your new baby.

I would explain to the friend that money is tight and although you are grateful for the thought, you just can't afford to pay the tax on it. Maybe they didn't realise tax would be so much? They might pay it for you. Whatever you do, don't leave yourself struggling financially. It could be a totally useless gift, ornament or clothes that you hate. Martin Lewis would say to look after your finances at this new chapter of your life. 

BethRobinson

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? 

It's not a gift horse though, is it?

BethRobinson

PaulineSH said:

If the duty is £70 it must be an expensive gift so pay it and be grateful. Sadly this is all thanks to leaving the EU and many of us are unaware of this charge even for gifts. If you believe you are being overcharged, challenge the amount. 

I would mention to your friend that you were charged duty (don’t mention the amount or that you can’t really afford it) and perhaps if they plan on sending more gifts, to use a UK online shop or send money via bank transfer to avoid charges in the future.
I recently sent a gift to Australia valued at £50 and marked it clearly ‘gift’ plus wrapped it in gift paper in the hope that they wouldn’t be charged - the package had been opened and re sealed (by DHL) but duty was NOT charged - I wonder if marking it as ‘gift’ avoided the charge….?

Nothing to do with leaving the EU at all.

Cantandrex

Be honest with your friend, explain to them that you can't afford the feeling and between you decide whether to let the package be returned or not!

Cantandrex

*fee......

Angelica123

Even if I could afford it, I definitely would flag it to the friend as I am sure they wouldn't have sent the gift had they known how much it would be taxed. 

It's possible they filled the paperwork incorrectly and that tax amount is incorrect so it's definitely worth checking with the friend before paying it. In general, if I buy items for people abroad I will always buy it from an online shop based in their country to avoid issues.