sirius order 13th jan, lets see how long it takes

[Trigger]

What i do not understand is that i payed USPS for a door to door service, so how did it get hi-jacked by Parcel force?
Watch out, watch out there are some thieves about.

[Bryanj]

All the national post offices have an "agrement" to deliver in their own countries, and HMRC charge VAT on the total of value PLUS postage

[Trigger]

I have been charged VAT on the postage by parcel force, on behalf of Border Force , on behalf of HMRC. But no one is prepared to give me an invoice showing a VAT number.
Parcel Force have charged a delivery fee of £8, which they are calling a Clearance Fee. My point to them is that i payed USPS for a door to door service, so why did i have to go to a parcel force to pick it up? And i had already payed the taxes on postage to USPS. 
Well something to get me teeth into for next week.

[mickwinf]

its my understanding that the £8 is the fee paid for the parcel company to collect the tax/customs charges on behalf of the customs/hmrc.

[Trigger]

OK, a email arrived today stating:
Parcel force Worldwide is legally obliged to present all non-EU parcels for commercial items and for gifts above £36 between private individuals to Border Force at our International Hub. Please note that for gifts posted outside of the EU, the minimum excludes postage costs.

My mail back was:
The parcel was marked as a gift with a maximum value of $50, with a set exchange rate of 1.65 dollars to the British pound.
That means the item is valued at £30.29. Your information clearly states: Gift above £36.
Someone at Parcel Force are not very good at maths.
I have contacted HMRC who state that this item with Tracking Reference .............. has not attracted any Customs Duty,Excise Duty or VAT.
Could you please explain why i have been charged VAT and where am i to obtain a VAT receipt? 

[SteveD CB500K0]

... or a refund!