UK folks (Royal Mail handling fee on gifts)?

[olimits7]

Hi,

I was just wondering does Royal Mail still charge their £8 handling fee if an item is a gift?

Thank you,

olimits7

[Essex_boy]

I cant see them dropping their charges just because its a gift, otherwise everything will be posted as gift.

Unless thats not what you mean

[piatkow]

The Royal Mail website says:

Any package assessed by HM Revenue and Customs as being liable for Customs charges will also incur a Royal Mail handling fee of £8.

I think the word "any" answers the question.

[Leosghost]

to the OP ..why ask this one all over the net ..you got the reply and the link to what piatkow found ages ago elsewher on other fora ( under the same user name that you have here ) ..customs clearing charges bite every where world wide ..

but it's a business expense ..deduct it ..move on ..live with it

[olimits7]

Hi, thank you for your replies...

I think I found my answer to the "Royal Mail handling fee" for gifts on the HM Revenue & Customs site.

[hmrc.gov.uk...]

Gifts sent from outside the EU
If you’re sending or receiving a gift from outside the EU:

Customs Duty is payable if the value of the gift exceeds £120, but will be waived if the amount of duty is £7 or under.
Import VAT is payable if the value of the gift exceeds £36.

I know if there is no customs or VAT collected then there is no Royal Mail handling fee collected either. So I guess if a gift is under £36 then I don't need to worry about the Royal Mail handling fee.

olimits7