The value of goods that travellers can personally bring into the UK from a non-EU country or receive through the post without needing to pay customs duty has increased. If you arrive by commercial sea/air you can briong up to £ 390 worth of goods for personal use (excluding tobaccos and alcohol, and fuel).
Come by private plane or boat for ‘pleasure purposes; then the value of goods is £270.
Individuals who buy goods over the internet or by mail; order from outside the EU will now only be charged customs duty if the value of the package is above £135,and the actual amount of due is over £9.
Although the duty limits have changes=d, import VAT is still due on packages valued at over £18. However, if a package is received as a ‘gift’ VAT will only be charged if its value exceeds £40.
These changes came into effect on 1 January 2010. For further information go to http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/index.htm
