Customs charges

[George38]

I bought two shirts from Debenhams before Christmas and sent them to my son in Australia as a gift. They were too large so he sent them back asking if I could exchange them for a smaller size. They arrived today by post but with a hefty �24 customs charge to pay!! Surely this is wrong as duty had already been paid in this country before sending them out in the first place!!! Have I any redress, and from whom?? Any help would be appreciated!

[Tichfield]

You will need to contact your local office of HM Revenue and Customs to explain and request a refund.

[ojread2]

I see no reason for HMRC to give you a refund

It is not their fault the shirts don't fit and were returned
Who paid the customs charges to send the shirts? Usually it is the receiver who ends up with the charges - you would not pay the charges before you sent the shirts because you would send them as a gift therefore assuming the items were not liable for charges.

How was the 'duty' paid before the item was sent?

[Tichfield]

The shirts were bought in a UK shop. Therefore the price paid all applicable UK tax (VAT).

Are you saying that if something bought in the UK is taken out of the Country, and then brought back in again, more tax/duty should be paid on it?

If that were the case we would all have to pay charges on the contents of our suitcases when we arrive back in the UK from a non-EU destination.

[ojread2]

Luggage is completely different and a bit of a daft thing to say LOL

If you send something overseas outside the EU it is subject to extra duty in the same way as bringing in alcohol is. Doesn't matter what it is. Whether you have paid VAT/Tax within the UK is irrelevant

[ojread2]

OP, George, do you have any receipts?