Custom Packaging

Does customs tax apply to a gift package from the US to the UK?

As a way to get around the HUGE customs tax on clothing from America, I was thinking about having the package sent to a friend in America, and for her to then send it onto me, by declaring it as a gift. Does customs tax apply to gift packages? (Customs on clothing purchased from the internet is 12.5%, ouch!) If not, I might resort to this tactic more often. Thanks in advance.

Public Comments

1. the gift allowance is only £36, if the item is worth more than that there's no benefit to you for marking it as a gift. you got the right idea though, a gift from one individual to another is tax free, but it has to be under that threshold. take a look at HMRC Public Notice 143, it'll tell you more. PS, thats the basic rules, but having experience in this area, if on the scans there's any indication the item might be worth more than your friend writes down, like if its a top label valued a £20 customs will seize it and write to tell you. nothing more will happen unless it happens a lot, but they'll just intercept it because of the false declaration. so if you're gonna do it, be clever with it.