Tax On Gift From Us

[jamesnan]

My daughter has received a birthday present from US relation, which consists of a necklace value $10 and a card $5. She has had to pay £18 to Post office before she could be given it.
Is that correct, such a huge sum on a small amount of value?

[woofgang]

if that is genuinely the value then she shouldn’t have paid anything....the problem is that if there is vat or customs payable then the Royal Mail also make an £8 handling charge.
There is a form to fill in on this link if you believe you should not have been charged
https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

[Pigletion]

Agree with Woofgang. I'd try the form and see.

The high charge might be due to the declaration not being filled in as "gift" to start with - see here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users