Customs charge on own shoes sent home whilst abroad

prowla

(I hope this is the right forum for this question, but please let me know if there's one which is more appropriate.)

DS went abroad to a wedding and then is taking an extended holiday.

Rather than carry his formal shoes around with him backpacking, he's posted them home.

I've now received a card from the Royal Mail through the door saying there's a Customs charge of £56.75 required before the parcel can be delivered.

The shoes in question are not a foreign purchase and were bought in the UK and been worn prior to going abroad, so I can't see it as being right that there should be a Customs charge.

I don't know how it was sent and haven't seen any other paperwork than the card.

It'd be great to get some advice on how to deal with this, please... 

elsien

It depends how it was sent. It should’ve had a label on it, declaring them as personal items with a low value. 

You could go down to the sorting office and asked to see what the parcel says.
Otherwise, it might be a case of paying the charge  and then taking it through with HMRC afterwards. Depending on what the shoes are worth.

sheramber

Royal Mail don’t decide the import duty. HMRC charge it based on what is declared or what they  find if they check the parcel. 

Royal  Mail pay it on behalf of the recipient  and charge a admin fee for doing so.

You need to pay Royal Nail and contact Customs about the charge.