I just bought a Wilbers shock from a forum member in Australia and have just got a demand from Parcelforce for £18.00 customs duty, £81.00 VAT and £13.50 clearance fee. Altogether it's an additional £112.68 to pay on top of the price I paid.

Is this right? I can understand import tax on new goods but on a used shock absorber?

Maybe it was the way it was labelled but do I have any recourse to get back the VAT if it it not a new item? Parcel Force are, "Unable to discuss disputes regarding customs charges".

Makes no difference to the HMRC whether it's new or used. Import duty is calculated on the value of the goods + postage * VAT (20%) + import duty (~4%). Anything over the value of £18.50 attracts import duty.

I had the same problem with some Hayabusa forks I purchased from the USA, because the seller overpriced the parcel value I had to pay the import/VAT costs on the higher amount. I couldn’t find a way around it and had to pay-up before they would deliver.

You all should REVOLT!

Should have had the seller declare the item as used parts with a value under $50. Fees would have been very low

Nerd told me he will personally finance your revolt. That's how much he cares

I keep saying KTMGUY for president!
I will abolish all this stupid shit!

Comrade: In Oz we have a tax free limit of $A1000 (currently). We one of my daughters was about 16 she thought it would be a good idea to buy some make up from overseas. I explained the situation and she sort of listened and I suggested she limit everything to $A900. She thought she knew what she was doing and ordered stuff that came to about $A990. What she had failed to appreciate was that currencies fluctuate and by the time her order was processed it came to $A1005. Needless to say the bill for $A390 resulted in extended tears - Dad to the rescue again... I believe you have daughters. Given your eye for a bargain I predict that this won't be the last time you (via your daughters) get caught.