<p>My daughter has moved back to the UK for a Masters degree after losing her work visa there. She had to return to the states for 8 months before starting school and left some personal items behind. Besides a few of her personal belongings, she had me send some gift items, as well as some favorite candies and coffee.</p>
<p>I have read in the past to make the custom’s form with “personal belongings”, although that is not an option. The woman at the Post Office said I should check “gift” as the candy and coffee are not personal items. I went ahead and checked gift, but not I am thinking my daughter will be stuck with paying VAT on the items as there were also items in there that were obviously new-a couple of new water bottles and embroidered Christmas stockings. I didn’t wrap anything as a gift as my daughter had purchased these items herself.</p>
<p>In the future, what is the best way to complete the custom’s form so that my daughter doesn’t have to pay VAT and we avoid having the package opened? I want to send holiday gifts to both her and her BF; while I could just order from Amazon UK, there are somethings I can only get here that I would like to send. The BF loves Banana Republic and wears their Talls; BR in the UK doesn’t have the Tall line for some reason. </p>
<p>I put the actually value for each item; the total value of the package was $200, with the most expensive item costing $45. Hopefully all will work out with this package and I will learn as I send more!</p>
<p>I would have kept it under $100. I have learned over the years to try and buy gifts at UK websites.- Amazon, Marks and Spencer etc. I have also sent Jelly Beans etc via Costco.co.uk </p>
<p>You may also be able to ship from US sites directly to the UK. For the reverse I can now buy items from Marks and have them shipped directly to the US for free.</p>
<p>I sent cosmetics and toiletries & DD ended up with a L50 VAT one time and I had opened all the packages first. There was nothing we could do, no live person to talk to
I always marked personal belongings, now I order on Ebay & Amazon UK</p>
<p>Well, my daughter received the package a week after I shipped it, which I though was quick. I still don’t know if she had to pay VAT, but I am guessing not as she didn’t mention it in her email. </p>
<p>Any idea if I might run into a problem if I send wrapped gifts next go round? I guess I could send everything in one box and just have them open the box together.</p>
