Beware ‘hidden’ charges when presents sent

I went to the post office to collect the parcel and was told I had to pay a Customs fee of £50.65. And given a letter from the Customs office stating this and that I could not take delivery of the parcel unless the tax was paid.

I rang the Customs office at the number they gave and asked why.

I was told it was tax and that if I did not pay it I could not pick up the parcel, they would destroy it. Although my daughter had specifically stated on posting that if not delivered, it should be sent back to source.

I was mortified as inside the parcel, clearly stated and costed, were birthday presents for my 87-year-old husband, who is recovering from a recent total hip operation, also presents for our son, who lives with us, and my birthday present, consisting of four shirts, which my daughter had already paid tax on at source, a few beauty items and a handmade wreath which my daughter made for me, which is her hobby.

She has sent items like this many times over the years and I have never been asked to pay tax on delivery of them.

And as she cannot get over to see us this past year or so, she was anxious that these presents would reach us for our respective birthdays in July and August.

The tax I was asked to pay was considerably more than the shirts cost my daughter in the first place and she asks why she should have to pay tax twice on these garments. They were not for commercial use, but personal presents.

I was told by the post office that it was because of the complications with Brexit, this was the problem, which was negated by the Customs office and told it was a Customs reason. Never happened before. Why now? I hope this will, at the very least inform the public that they should be wary at having their relatives send presents from abroad in case a tax payment has to be made. Thank you.

DAWN BROOKE