I've been Charged VAT on my own items

Because if it was "To" and "From" me, they know I own the items. Instead, it looks like my mother sent me all this stuff (including a nice wool duvet) that I don't own. Thus, these items look like gifts, I would assume, therefore they charged me the VAT.

But that doesn't really make sense.  The items could have been anything, and just putting the same name on the 'to' and 'from' addresses doesn't make the items yours. And likewise, your mother or anyone could send you some of your own items just as easily and that doesn't make them gifts.  I really don't think that's why you were charged VAT.

I just sent a book to a friend in the UK and put the correct names and addresses on it.  I marked 'used personal item' on the customs form (which was true, it was not a new book) and he was not charged VAT.

When I had the problem with being charged for my boxes, it was explained to me that by not filling out the proper forms saying they were my own used items being shipped due to moving home, it was assumed I was shipping things in for resale. It took a lot of explaining, but they let me have all the boxes without any charges. I was advised to fill out the proper forms in the future.

How long ago was that Tama? I ask, because the notice I received from Parcel Force said that they would absolutely not enter into a dispute with me for the charges. If I didn't pay the VAT, it was going to be returned. But I can go through the process of asking for a refund now that I've paid.

Geeta, the US customs form clearly says "used household goods" and "used clothes" so there is no other reason, except for the name discrepancy, for me being charged VAT. If you can think of any other reason, I'd like to know.

As I mentioned earlier, I sent my husband several packages earlier this year, which were worth a whole heck of a lot more, and I did not include a C3 form then either, and we were not charged VAT. So this really confuses me that there appears to be no consistency on when VAT is charged.

Geeta, the US customs form clearly says "used household goods" and "used clothes" so there is no other reason, except for the name discrepancy, for me being charged VAT. If you can think of any other reason, I'd like to know.

Sorry, but I don't agree that there's no other reason. One potential reason is that it was a mistake. I truly don't think the names has anything to do with it. If that were the case, why wouldn't everyone just do that to avoid VAT?

Mine was about a year and a half ago, give or take a month or two. I contacted customs themselves, and they were the ones I sent the information to. Parcel Force told me they couldn't and wouldn't do anything about it, but after a couple calls, one man suggested contacting customs. Then someone at customs told me to send letters stating that they were personal items sent due to moving house and mention that I was unaware I needed to fill out the C3 form, and include a copy of the Parcel Force letters for each box. That way they had the tracking numbers and other information they needed. I was also told that after so long the boxes would be sent back to them from Parcel Force, so I needed to get my info in as quickly as I could to avoid them being sent back to the States, and someone on that end (mom) being charged for them being shipped back.

I would contact customs to see what they say to do. Mine was a case of fighting to not have to pay as much or more in VAT as I did in shipping. I'm not sure what they would do about reimbursing after the fact. It is worth checking into.

Sorry, but I don't agree that there's no other reason. One potential reason is that it was a mistake. I truly don't think the names has anything to do with it. If that were the case, why wouldn't everyone just do that to avoid VAT?

Ah, I see. I assumed you were trying to hint that there was something else I or my mother had done wrong to warrant the charges. I didn't realize you were thinking that my being charged was perhaps a mistake.

Thanks for the info Tama. Unfortunately I didn't think to contact Parcel Force given the language that says they would not dispute the charges. I did actually spend several hours trying to contact someone at the UKBA number on the notice, and I never got through to anyone - the message just said "all operators are busy try again later" and then the line hung up. I guess I'll just have to continue to call them.

It took a few tries to get through, but once I did, the customs agent I spoke to was very friendly and helpful.

Hi

Just to add some extra information for you all and of course for the future and other's who may want to know.

The UK, like many countries has a Taxation system and ALL goods being imported into the country are subject to the various taxes - VAT is of course one of them. Goods are subject if they're new OR second hand.

I regularly import from the US and export, and although my sector is different the basics are the same. There are various exemptions and lower rates depending on what the products actually are as well, so the correct 'way' to bring things over is to pre-check what those items are, see what the rate of Tax is levied on it and declare anything prior so that charges can be exempted or shown to be a lower rate etc.

On the HMRC website, although boring reading, all the information is listed and written out including tables of tax rates, import duties and exemptions etc etc.

You'll need to check how 'personal effects' items are dealt with depending on the item itself as well.

Some people do try to 'bend the truth' with false declarations and lower values shown on the form etc - don't be tempted by this as customs officials aren't stupid and do have access to price lists to products, if it's plainly obvious the value written is very low for the product being sent, they'll make an adjustment.

There is the usual responses of HMRC being 'crooks' and 'thieves' etc, when in reality all they're doing is collecting taxes and revenues.

There is more to it of course, and way too much to type here, but the above is the overview of things. Please check with HMRC to see specifics on items that want to be imported here.

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!