UK folks - help with import charges please!

[applejackbunny]

I'm sure this topic has been covered before and apologies if so 

I have recently bought an expensive pony from someone in the USA and they have kindly asked me what they should put on the import slip in terms of value.

I tried my best to do a little research but it seems really complicated and I wondered if there was some basic rule that I'm unaware of that someone here might be kind enough to share with me 

I read in one article that if the item is clearly labelled "child's toy" then there should be zero import charges:

https://thebusinesstime.co.uk/customs-charges-from-the-usa-to-the-uk/

But, I have been charged import duty before for the same, so I'm really confused. What do all you UK people put on your labels to avoid being stuck with a huge import charge that you shouldn't have? Any answers welcome at this stage! 

[Carrehz]

I think the max. price you can mark on the form without getting stung for customs is £20.

Also yeah in my experience, it doesn't matter what the item is labelled as, they only look at the price.

[applejackbunny]

If that's the case, then I guess you can always appeal it...?

[Taffeta]

I've never appealed a custom charge.

I think most of the time it's not actually an import duty but rather VAT that they are charging you. Plus handling on the part of the people delivering it, which is ridiculous since you already paid postage but yeah, you know.

Given that the rules are set by HMRC, I would imagine it's pointless to appeal any kind of charge, although it depends on the scale of it (I don't know how expensive you are talking about).

Since you said you bought the item, legally speaking the seller has to mark the actual value on the form. That is the thing that customs will look at. They won't bother so much on how it's described. Used toy. Child's toy. Toy pony. Old toy. It doesn't matter. They look at the valuation.

It's very hard to appeal a custom charge even when something is not commercially valuable now. Honestly, I think you just have to budget it in to overseas purchases.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

they should be declaring its proper value or they can't be covered by insurance

[Carrehz]

Yeah that's something to keep in mind too. If you ask them to mark lower than the actual value, they do, and then (god forbid) something goes awry, you're screwed since you declared lower than the actual value.

[Taffeta]

That is also a very good and true point.

[applejackbunny]

We've sorted it out now, thanks