Customs Duty on goods from Hong Kong

[TootlingTia]

DS has ordered a phone case from Casetify, it cost £66 and he has just had an email from DHL saying there’s £17 customs duty payable. No other detail. Castetify help pages say check your own country’s rules. Gov.uk seems to say nothing should be payable on goods valued at less than £135. A WhatsApp to DHL got a lengthy auto reply quoting legislative changes made a few years ago but didn’t give an actual answer. Before he pays, and whilst it probably is correct, is anyone able to tell me why he’s getting charged given the value of the parcel. Thanks!

What's the VAT situation?

DHL have been able to tell him that the charge is for VAT so he has gone back to the retailer to query it as their website says VAT included when item is in basket. Will wait and see how they respond … sounds like that’s the line you’re thinking along?

It was just a wild guess on my part, it's sometimes easy enough to avoid customs duty but VAT's another matter and the shippers sometimes aren't too clear on invoices..

Hope you get it sorted out OK.