The Ultimate Guide to Sending Gifts to the UK from Cameroon

What Customs and Excise Charges are Payable in the UK?

If you’re sending a gift from Cameroon to the UK, several factors come into play, including the value of the gift, its contents, and any applicable taxes or duties. Here’s what typically happens and the different charges that could apply to one single gift:

Customs Declaration

You’ll need to complete a customs declaration form. This includes details about the contents of the package, its value, and whether it’s a gift. You must declare the contents and value of the gift accurately to comply with customs regulations.

Import VAT

Gifts sent from outside the UK to individuals in the UK are usually subject to import Value Added Tax (VAT) if their value is over £39.

In the UK, most goods and services are subject to VAT, which is currently set at different rates (standard rate, reduced rate, and zero rate). The standard rate of VAT in the UK is 20%, but there are certain goods and services that qualify for reduced rates (such as children’s car seats) or are zero-rated (most food items).

If VAT is due, the recipient of the gift may have to foot the bill, and possibly any shipping and insurance costs too.

Customs Duty

Depending on the type and value of the gift, customs duty may be due. It’s a tax imposed on goods imported into the UK from outside the European Union (EU), and since Brexit, outside the island of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) too. The amount of customs duty payable depends on various factors, including the type of goods, their value, and their country of origin.

The UK has established a new UK Global Tariff which sets out the duties payable on imports from countries that do not have a trade agreement with the UK. Gifts with a value of £135 or less are generally exempt from customs duty, but this can vary depending on the specific goods.

Excise Duty

Excise duty is a tax on certain goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and fuel. The rates of excise duty vary depending on the type and quantity of the goods.

Delivery Process

Once the gift arrives in the UK, it will go through customs clearance procedures. If any taxes or duties are due, the recipient may receive a notification from the courier or postal service requesting payment before the package can be delivered. Once any applicable taxes or duties are paid, the gift will be delivered to the recipient.

In a nutshell, gifts over £39 are liable to Import VAT, and Customs Duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135, and up to £630. The charge is usually 2.5% of the gift value, but that can vary depending on the type of gift. And that’s before you factor in the cost of packaging and delivery!

How To Send a Gift to the UK

If you are planning to send a gift, there are some important steps to take to minimise the taxes due, and for their processing and delivery to run as smoothly as possible. First of all, you must fill in a customs declaration – ideally, before you send. It can be done by the recipient in the UK, but this will slow the delivery process down considerably. You should also state clearly that it is a gift. If that is not stated, the charges could be considerably higher.
When deciding on the gift you want to send, think too about the logistics of packing it securely from the whole journey door-to-door – and remember that it’s likely to encounter a good deal of handling and probing along the way. You’ll also need to price up a courier to get it where it needs to go in your country, over to the UK, and then through the customs and excise process before the actual delivery UK-side.
It’s important to note that customs procedures and regulations may change, so if you’re planning to send a gift, it’s a good idea to check the latest information with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC: https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad) or the postal or courier service you’re using to send the gift, as they will be responsible for processing it through customs.
And don’t forget to let the recipient know about the possibility of taxes or duties to avoid any surprises upon delivery!

A Simple International Gift Solution

You don’t have to go through all that stress, expense and worry. You can still make that kind and thoughtful gift gesture – with a flavour of the country you’re residing in as well, if you wish. You can do that by organising a delivery from a gifting service that’s already based in the UK, and one that sources some of the best goods from all over the world: a company like Handpicked Wine Box.

We stock a wide range of wines, including wine cases and sets from Cameroon – and as our name suggests, they have all been chosen personally by us for their exceptional standard. You can still send a gift that originated in your beautiful and unique country, and be sure it will be of excellent quality too.

This is how to avoid customs charges from Cameroon to the UK: there are no complex tax calculations, no lengthy shipping times, much cheaper postage and packaging costs, and no surprise bills for your recipient. You get better value for money (and perhaps a better gifting budget as a result!), quicker delivery, and personal customer service – and you can even add our handwritten gift card and wrapping service.

Conclusion

Taking the hard work out of choosing excellent wine is one of the reasons we started Handpicked Wine Box – and acting on behalf our international customers really does save a huge amount time, stress and cost for both you as the sender, and the recipient of your generous gift.

We’d love to send that extra-special gift on your behalf, so you can forget about Customs and Excise, and concentrate instead on the joy your gift will bring.

Or contact us today to discuss what you would like to send, and we will be delighted to put the perfect present together for you.

Conclusion

Taking the hard work out of choosing excellent wine is one of the reasons we started Handpicked Wine Box – and acting on behalf our international customers really does save a huge amount time, stress and cost for both you as the sender, and the recipient of your generous gift.

We’d love to send that extra-special gift on your behalf, so you can forget about Customs and Excise, and concentrate instead on the joy your gift will bring.

Or contact us today to discuss what you would like to send, and we will be delighted to put the perfect present together for you.