Sorted and paid, thank you.

[Icecrystalline]

The miaow was just for fun
SwiftHeartBabbit and I have done a trade, she recieved her parcel over a week ago and she's happy and I'm happy that she is happy but then today, I got a customs charge through my front door asking for £11.16 ! I have nothing against SHB ( I want to make that clear, she has been a fantastic trading partner!), in fact she has been wonderful and we both agreed to start this thread, it's just that, I cannot afford to pay that, and I really don't know what to do! We really need some help on this please!
Can you help us?
Thanks!

[tulagirl]

Well, not knowing what the value amount was that she put on your package....and not knowing what your country rules are for customs fees I can't help so much. I know all of us have to know what our limits are and I think they said that if a gift is marked 40.00 or more in the UK it is subject to a fee. I just don't know what the purchased customs fee limit is.

[Gingerbread]

I don't think it has to be $40 - Scarah was only $25, I got hit with a customs charge for her.

[ponylady]

It's unfortunate and it is not what you are going to want to hear but you as the receiver are responsible for the charges incurred. It is under your countries law regarding packages coming into the UK. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/internet.htm

It's not your sender's fault nor their responsibility to reimburse you for these charges. 

If you refuse to pay them then the item will be sent back to SwiftHeart.

     

[tulagirl]

I don't think it has to be $40 - Scarah was only $25, I got hit with a customs charge for her.

Well your country has to have all the rules written out somewhere so you will know what to expect fee wise when it comes to out of the country purchases.  A trade is not an exchange of payment but and exchange of merchandise and that is not a sale...so the amount placed on the form should reflect fair values.

[lovelauraland]

as far as i am aware you would only get a charge if it states on the package its worth more than £40, I would go down and see what it says on the packaging and confirm the customs charge is for items worth over £40?
if you have received the pony already and then got a charge then this might be a fake charge!?
hope this helps

[tulagirl]

How does someone get a fake charge? Does that mean its a mistake at the PO?  I am confused by that one.

[Gingerbread]

Taken from HMRC website -

Goods Value*            Customs Charges applicable


£0.01 to £15              No customs duty, no Import VAT**

£15.01 to £135          No customs duty but import VAT due

£135.01 and greater  Customs duty due, but waived if the amount calculated due is less than £9.
                                   Import VAT due

[ponylady]

I think we are getting way out in left field here about what is going on. Let's keep it on topic.

There is no difference in the goverments eyes between a trade, a sale or even a gift.  It is still merchandise being imported from another country. And if it has a value on it they will collect their taxes.

The Uk has really been cracking down on this as I am sure UK members are aware of.

[Icecrystalline]

I'm sorry guys but now I'm really confused.... Basically, Pink, as you too are in the UK, does that mean I shouldn't have a charge? The amount on the parcel is $30, SHB told me xxx

[tulagirl]

I think we are getting way out in left field here about what is going on. Let's keep it on topic.

There is no difference in the goverments eyes between a trade, a sale or even a gift.  It is still merchandise being imported from another country. And if it has a value on it they will collect their taxes.

The Uk has really been cracking down on this as I am sure UK members are aware of.

Oh wow I didn't realize this. Yikes. I thought there was a difference.  Glad you cleared that one up.  Sorry I didn't mean to stretch the topic over to the left side of the universe.

[ponylady]

Ice, no mattter what the value is you are going to subjected to a charge.  I am sorry. There is no written law under your countries jurisdiction that you will not be.

It is not fair to your trade partner to make that assumption.

[Gingerbread]

From what I can gather, if the parcel is worth £15.01 - £135, you will get stung for import VAT. Scarah only cost me $25, I got roughly the same charge as you.

As Ponylady has said, they are REALLY cracking down on charges now

[tulagirl]

Wow they really are cracking down.  Looks like its a legit fee to me. I would pay your fee and then keep this chart so next time you trade you can keep these rules in mind to avoid fees...or trade within the UK.

[Gingerbread]

Yes The piece of paper they give you with the charge on says Customs though, hence why I call it a customs charge So it should be a VAT charge...


Heavyhooves HMRC y u so confoozin?