The title to this kind of sucks, I recognize this.

The original question was asked as Do Customs duties and VAT apply on jewellery and gifts even when imported into UK by US citizens?

The OP came back, answered that he was not questioned (not caught) by Customs. It can be assumed (and only assumed) that he,

1. Brought in items/gifts over the minimum value, for which he should have paid VAT, and
2. Did not declare said items.

My problem with this is that while his answer is a possible outcome, that outcome was based on some amount of luck on his part. He could also have been questioned, had the items found, and been fined, had the items confiscated and possibly worse. (I freely admit I don't know all of the UK penalties for failure to declare)

My worry is that if the next person reads this Q&A, and assumes that he will also slip on by, he may be the one that gets caught.

Do we care? And if we do, what can we do about it, if anything?

The title to this kind of sucks, I recognize this.

The original question was asked as Do Customs duties and VAT apply on jewellery and gifts even when imported into UK by US citizens?

The OP came back, answered that he was not questioned (not caught) by Customs. It can be assumed (and only assumed) that he,

1. Brought in items/gifts over the minimum value, for which he should have paid VAT, and
2. Did not declare said items.

My problem with this is that while his answer is a possible outcome, that outcome was based on some amount of luck on his part. He could also have been questioned, had the items found, and been fined, had the items confiscated and possibly worse. (I freely admit I don't know all of the UK penalties for failure to declare)

My worry is that if the next person reads this Q&A, and assumes that he will also slip on by, he may be the one that gets caught.

Do we care? And if we do, what can we do about it, if anything?

The OP has since deleted his answer and accepted that of someone else who did tell him he had to report and pay VAT.

The title to this kind of sucks, I recognize this.

The original question was asked as Do Customs duties and VAT apply on jewellery and gifts even when imported into UK by US citizens?

The OP came back, answered that he was not questioned (not caught) by Customs. It can be assumed (and only assumed) that he,

1. Brought in items/gifts over the minimum value, for which he should have paid VAT, and
2. Did not declare said items.

My problem with this is that while his answer is a possible outcome, that outcome was based on some amount of luck on his part. He could also have been questioned, had the items found, and been fined, had the items confiscated and possibly worse. (I freely admit I don't know all of the UK penalties for failure to declare)

My worry is that if the next person reads this Q&A, and assumes that he will also slip on by, he may be the one that gets caught.

Do we care? And if we do, what can we do about it, if anything?

The title to this kind of sucks, I recognize this.

The original question was asked as Do Customs duties and VAT apply on jewellery and gifts even when imported into UK by US citizens?

The OP came back, answered that he was not questioned (not caught) by Customs. It can be assumed (and only assumed) that he,

1. Brought in items/gifts over the minimum value, for which he should have paid VAT, and
2. Did not declare said items.

My problem with this is that while his answer is a possible outcome, that outcome was based on some amount of luck on his part. He could also have been questioned, had the items found, and been fined, had the items confiscated and possibly worse. (I freely admit I don't know all of the UK penalties for failure to declare)

My worry is that if the next person reads this Q&A, and assumes that he will also slip on by, he may be the one that gets caught.

Do we care? And if we do, what can we do about it, if anything?