unreasonable charges from HM customs and excise

[pickledchocolate]

HM Customs & Excise charged us over £80 for ashes brought into the country for scattering.

I think this is the most disgusting state of affairs, how dare they profit and charge duty on a relatives ashes.

What is the charge actually for?
Time for customs officials to check everything?

I meant checking your paperwork

How much was the container valued at? I am assuming the duty was based on the value stated, not purely on the fact that it was ashes inside.

Ashes don't have a monetary value. there should be no charge.

What were the ashes in? What was the charge for? HMRC don't just charge random amounts, there must be some explanation for the charge.

I’m sorry for your loss.

But as PP state, it’s probably for the time to process the paperwork

Where were they coming from?

I would imagine a lot of checks have been needed along the way to ensure safe transit.

Ashes do not have a monetary value so they are not charging for the Ashes.

The only thing I can think of is that the sender declared the value of the urn (for insurance purposes) and that is what is being charged for or otherwise it is an error. I would contact them and explain, hopefully its in error.

I thought you had to use special services to transport human remains across international borders and they take care of the costs and paperwork involved. I didn't think you could just sent them through normal channels.

It's probably a shipping charge. You'd be charged import duty on the cost of the declared value, the shipping, then VAT on top of that.

I thought you had to use special services to transport human remains across international borders

You do, undertakers organise all that.

The fee is probably for the time for customs staff to check them and the paperwork - record details of the recipient etc.

Probably also to check the contents are indeed ashes because, without wishing to sound insensitive, it sounds like the perfect opportunity for criminals to use 'ashes' as a cover to smuggling contraband into the country.

also, it's actually illegal to scatter ashes

I mean, I know most people ignore that - I'm aware of cases within my own family - but I suggest you don't mention it to HMRC...

It's not illegal but you should have permission of the land owner if private land and you may need to ask the environment agency depending where you want to scatter them.

I wonder did the undertaker make an error in the paperwork? From what I googled certain paperwork has to be completed. I wonder was there something wrong with that.

My sympathies on your loss.

also, it's actually illegal to scatter ashes

I mean, I know most people ignore that - I'm aware of cases within my own family - but I suggest you don't mention it to HMRC...

What is HMRC's remit when it comes to scattering ashes?

What is HMRC's remit when it comes to scattering ashes?

Precisely none of course! the PP is suggesting that we'd be letting the government know we were doing something illegal I expect.

The UK has some of the most relaxed laws about scattering ashes. There are obviously rules if rivers/lakes etc are involved and private land but other than that it's all OK.

My Mum’s were fedexed to London from South Africa, no problems and no duty.
Sorry for your loss 💐