What is the average pay package for a new I.I.M. recruit?

Does my friend in the UK have to pay for a package that SHE'S getting?

• My friend emailed me today, and she's from England, so she said she got a letter saying she can only get my package after paying £20 for it. I already paid $40 for the shipping, and I just don't get why she'd have to pay even more for it! She doesn't have that kind of extra money right now. We've sent stuff to each other in the past, and we've NEVER had this problem before. She thought it was because the box being big, but it's not that big, and it's only 4 lbs. I've even had bigger boxes before, and this never happened!! In my package, I had a cd, some loose powder makeup, a collectible mulan doll, some Twilight things, like a pin, jewelry box, bracelet, etc. I also had a bracelet from Disney World and some pins from there as well. I also had some Twilight Sweethearts candy in a box in there, but that's it. She says the letter tells her, if she doesn't pay within 20 days, then the package will be sent back to me, and she REALLY doesn't want that to happen. It'd mean I'd have to pay even MORE for it to be sent to her again. Can someone explain to me whether or not she should have to pay for this? If it's a customs reason, then what would it be for? AND, if she shouldn't have to pay, what should she do???? Thanks in advance! I really need the help!

• Answer:

  You should have said that the parcel was a gift and the value was less than £36 (that's about $50) All explained here For goods moving within the EU, import duties and taxes do not usually apply. However, for goods imported from non-EU countries, Customs charges do apply, these may include import duty, excise duty and import VAT. Goods with a value exceeding £18 (for commercial items including internet/mail order purchases), or £36 in the case of gifts between private individuals, are generally subject to Customs charges. Normally charges are calculated upon the declared value (plus postage for commercial items). Further general information can be obtained by contacting HMRC on 0845 010 9000 or at www.hmrc.gov.uk. If you have a specific query about the duties / taxes for an imported parcel through Parcelforce Worldwide, then contact the Customs team on 02476 212860, or by email at [email protected] Please quote the charge number and date from the Customs Charge Label (OE94) and retain outer wrappings and all documents, as they may be required to resolve your enquiry.