Tax on purchases from America

[TopCat1]

I've just bought a bed comforter from ebay, from America, and just realised I could be charged tax on this, is there anything I can do to avoid it? Or how much do you think I will be charged?

Thank you in advance

[flipflop104]

No idea how much you will be charged.

AFAIK the only way to get around it is for the sender to say that it is a gift but not sure the implications if the customs don't think it is and query/investigate it.

[Ric.ror]

Whats a comforter?

[TopCat1]

Its like a slim line Duvet, a throwover so to speak.

[dzug]

Saying something is a gift even if true does not automatically mean no duty - it depends on the value. Gift or no gift, above a certain figure it is payable.

If the article is not subject to import duty (about which I've no idea) you will just be charged VAT and the Royal Mail or other carrier will charge a handling fee for paying it for you.

There's a minimum value below which they don't bother to collect the tax.

[candybar]

i've ordered stuff from america before and worried about the charges on it. but i've found that most are just delivered and nothing said about any more payment. hopefully this may happen in your case :)