Goodyear - what country are you in? And do you mind saying what that charge is - customs duty, VAT/GST, handling charges or what?

I ask because we have recently had a Productivity Commission Inquiry here, Australia,  into online retailing and o/s online imports, and it specifically addressed the issue of our GST/VAT and Import duty free threshold of aud$1,000 on any one order. Despite special pleading from usual mercantilists and moribund australian bricks and mortar retailers who have enjoyed a "what the market will bear" markups the commission advised the government that the current threshold of $1,000 was appropriate.

Basically under aud$1,000 a purchase is not subject to any charges on entry to the country or receipt at the customers end. Most, but not all by any means, UK sellers deduct UK VAT @20% which is not payable either. Some just pocket the 20%.

On a related note re internationalism, I notice Ms fxh's new Lands End hard catelogue arrived to day from ZURICH!

Pay up-dodging taxes is illegal

It was Leona Helmsey who antoinetted the press and got time,  Martha Stewart also did a bit of bird for not paying hers but was sharp enough not to come over as an arrogant twat..