I know this has been dealt with in general terms recently, but here is a more specific example...
A month or so ago I bought this of Amazon:
My intention was to also get some dud watches, take them apart and try and learn what makes them tick. Perhaps even get them back together with a few new parts and working...?
So, an internet scan comes up with this, and a huge discount, and I hit the button. It has come from China (I believe) and delivery was attempted the other day when I was on holiday. When I get home today I am confronted by this:
A total charge of £14.52 for a £2 item?
I walked over to my local PO and asked for the package. On the front was a price breakdown with approx £6 as VAT as the only charge being shown. Apparently the other £8 or so is a "handling fee" for the pleasure of ParcelForce paying my import duties on my behalf.
I have not paid it. I still have the delivery note and have phoned HMRC for clarification of how £6 VAT can be charged against a £2 item (yes, the sender did label the package with an appropriate value of $3.50). Unfortunately, HMRC were very busy and after being in hold for 20mins I gave up and have emailed them instead.
The PO will hold this for the next couple of weeks so I have a bit of time to decide what to do. My first thought is to sod it, let them return it to sender and call it a small loss. I am very reluctant to pay proportionally extortionate fees to big companies and Mr Tax Man...
J
