Has anyone had any experience of this? I have taken a look at the HMRC website but it's in depth to say the least! I''m importing a DAT player from the states to UK. For various reasons looks like I'll have to pay tax of the purchase price ($80)...any thoughts welcome. Hope it won't be much, can't imagine it will be more than 20%. (If less than £9 it's waved, but 20% = £9.85!

I bought something from USA recently. I got hit for it. I didn't get charged for import duty but I did get done for VAT. Plus to add further insult I had to pay Royal Mail another 8 quid for them to act as tax collectors. However, the bright side is that they are  actually cheaper than the couriers at collecting the VAT for HMRC. Even Parcelforce charge GBP 13.50!

if its marked up as a `gift` isnt that a way to dodge the tax?

Only buys you up to £40 breathing space. Besides some vendors don't play the "gift" game and get very offending for you just to ask them.

i got nailed on a sw radio from jersey fourty odd quid .

Damn! How much was the total cost of the radio?

Update: just spoke to HMRC. Looks like I'll pay 20% VAT of the total + £8 handling charge as a minimum, looks around 20 quid...