Sending gifts from the UK to the USA

[Dianna. 5]

Does anyone know if goods are taxed when sending from the UK to the USA? My parents bought me the new iPad Air for Christmas and want to mail it to me.

Ideally they would have given it to me before I left or given me the cash instead since they are a lot cheaper to buy here.

Also what is the best way for them to mail it to me?

Thanks!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

A quick google brings up all the details http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document

[Dianna. 5]

Thanks for the link. I am just wondering what service they should use so it gets here safely...like Royal Mail, Fedex or Parcel Force etc.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Forget what I said above. I read your post wrong. I thought your parents were in the US. Gifts received in the US have $100 waived, then you pay customs duty on the rest of the value I think.

[rhirhi 35]

When I've sent big boxes of presents, candy etc to my USC fiancé, I've always just gone onto the parcelmonkey website and seen who is the cheapest. I've had good results with both UPS and FedEx. My mum sent a box of presents without asking me first and used Royal Mail. It cost her £40 and it got lost twice and took about 3-4 weeks, whereas whenever I've used the other parcel companies it's been there (Boston) within days and cost around £20.

Edited January 11, 2014 by rhirhi

[Dianna. 5]

Thank you for the info on ParcelMonkey. I see that Parcel Force is the best for this shipment.

If the gift cost £600.00 how much duty is paid on that? And how does that work? I know in the UK a card comes to collect it and pay, but what happens in the USA?