I purchased a collector’s item from the USA and the retailer sent to the UK by UPS. UPS charge a brokerage fee to allegedly pay for so called expert brokers to ensure that the correct import duty/VAT is charged. For collector’s items such as this, there is plenty of clear information from HMRC stating that VAT is charged at 5%. UPS though have sent me a request for 4 times this -20%. They have done this despite asking me to complete a form which clearly states that the items is a collector piece. They are now saying it is down to HMRC and not their issue and are holding my package hostage unless I pay the tax. I have heard from many fellow collectors and have read media pieces which state that this is a very regular occurrence with UPS. Avoid at all costs.