Noooo! Unexpected VAT charges on already pricey Babyhawk.

[Joyzerelly]

I've been eagerly awaiting delivery of my custom made Babyhawk mei tai sling for what seems like forever! This morning though I had a post office card through the door saying I have to pay £17.93 VAT charges inc. an £8 handling fee because the item has come from America. I'm very pee'd off, it was already a pricey luxury and its now ended up costing me closer to £80!!

Has anyone else had such an experience? Can I get out of paying the charges?

Thanks

 

[Rachel_C]

I'm not sure you can get out of it - I don't know whether baby carriers are exempt from VAT because they're a baby item, I think probably not because they're not an essential like clothes or nappies. Prams and pushchairs are charged at the full VAT rate so I think baby carriers would be too (see here - https://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/forms-rates/rates/goods-services.htm under Clothing and footwear, protective and safety equipment).

 

[Aunty E]

Oh that sucks I guess as they're a company you couldn't get them to put 'gift' on the label, so you will have to pay the charges. It's happened to me with a couple of things I ordered - now I get them delivered to a friend in New York who forwards them onto me as 'gifts - value $1'.

 

[Hanna]

this is a random fee they put on when you import from US. my hubby buys clothes for work from an American company. Sometimes he has to pay the fee sometimes not. if customs let it through, then you don't pay. it is very random.

 

[littlestar]

i ordered through a babyhawk retailer/supplier instead as they bulk order and cushion the charges.