Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/04/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The organisation involved would be HM Customs & Excise (HM = Her Majesty i.e the Queen ) These are the same people who are in charge of catching smugglers etc. so can seem a bit hard at times - but they are fair so an appeal for information and assistance might work. They have a web site which might be useful as a point of contact http//www.hmce.gov.uk/ I have just checked in my VAT reference book - very thick & somewhat unclear at times ;-)) - VAT is charged to an end user (normally 17.5% but certain goods are subject to 5% The only concession for gifts imported via postal packets is if they are under 100 ECU in value (ECU is the currency which supposedly makes business life simple for all the EU members) Sorry, but don't know what the ECU conversion rate is at the moment - perhaps someone else can help with that. Ted Grants suggestion might be simplest in the long run ! hope this helps a little. BTW was the gift liked apart from the hassle? at least it's provided a saga to add to the family history Regards Clive Sanbrook but ))----- Original Message ----- > Simon Stevens wrote: > > I sent two framed photographs (taken with a Leica, OT element) to my > > Father who lives in the UK for his 70th Birthday and I just heard back > > from him. Apparently, the British authorities (Inland Revenue?) charged > > him 17.5% on the insured value of the package even though it was clearly > > marked on the customs form as a gift. I feel pretty bad about this > > because I overinsured it, not knowing that this would happen.<<<<<<< > >