Anyone know the rules about VAT on gifts?

[lazylittlelucy]

As the title says, really. A family friend sent me a large hand-crafted gift from the USA through the post (which I was expecting). I then received a letter saying I had to pay VAT of £69 on my "purchase" before it can be delivered.
Can I argue that it was a gift, not a purchase...is there a difference? Or should I just suck it up and pay?

It is payable on gifts. Is the item worth as much as they've reckoned?

If it's value is over £36 vat is payable on a gift from overseas.

I'm not sure how they arrived that the price they have requested. Did the sender declare the value of the item on the attached form?

I know they have a few charges they apply, I think they are VAT, import duty and a collection fee.

I have no idea how much the item is worth, but prob more than £36, it's a hand made quilt for a king size bed.
They letter did give a breakdown of the charges which amount to £69. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and pay

Well realistically it is from a family member and is a quilt, so you could say it's the cost of raw materials. If you can prove it with an email from the sender they might budge. I'd never just pay that!