I am being charged a V.A.T £67 for my 2 yr old laptop I took to the states 2 be repaired and sent back to why?

Question

I am hoping that someone will be able to help me regarding VAT and parcel force. I moved here from San Francisco in 2007 bringing all my personal belongings with me including my laptop which were exempt from any VAT and custom charges.

Last month my laptop crashed and I found out that the extended warranty I purchased in California was not valid in the UK. A few weeks after it crashed my mom died so I went home to California taking my laptop with me where I sent it to be repaired and had it sent to my sister-in-law who then sent it back to me.

Yesterday I got a letter from parcelforce saying I had to pay a £63.81 V.A.T and £13.50 clearnce fees. Why do I have to pay these fees on my laptop which was purchased in California 2 freaking years ago that was exempt from VAT's and custom fees when I moved here? I have tried to call the customs number they listed on the letter but have had no joy as the line is constantly busy and I have tried all day. Can someone help me?!!!!!

Canela

Answer 1

It shouldn't be chargeable as it would be liable to what Customs call Returned Goods Relief (RGR) - That's relief from the charges as the laptop was taken out to the USA from the UK and was in "Free Circulation" (i.e.  in the EU, with no Customs charges to pay).

The problem is that the evidence for RGR is normally the export documentation, which you won't have as you took it out yourself.  But that doesn't mean it can't be claimed back.

You'll need to pay the charges and try to claim it back from Customs.  Get parcelforce to send you a copy of the "Import Entry" - which is their declaration to Customs  - it will either be part of their schedule or a form "C88" and the "E2" or "Entry Acceptance Advice" Also get them to confirm the Customs Office where they cleared the shipment,  Once you have this, write to the Customs office, explaining the situation, as you have above.  Include copies of the entry, as that's how they'll trace it, and details of your tickets, warranty etc and asking for Returned Goods Relief.  They will review it and take a fair view (they really do)  and should repay the charges