It sure is correct.
If you buy directly from an overseas organisation, duty including VAT is due at the point it comes into the UK. Customs and Excise typically impound the import or force the shipper to pay the necessary charges - which the shipper will want from you prior to delivering the parcel.
If you buy a product made overseas from a UK-based distributor, it charges you the VAT, and deals with the input VAT and output VAT on the transaction with HMRC.
You can't avoid either death or taxes.