Why am I being charged this much to import goods?

I have recently ordered goods from America. I got a letter today saying that I had to pay VAT on the item, which is fine. The only problems is that I have been charged 拢18.60 for the VAT, when the cost of the items was only 拢80. 拢18.60 is more than 17.5% of 拢80. Why have I been charged this much, it is more than actual VAT? The letter also says there is no import duty, just VAT?

The government has to finance all those cameras they have over there. They already take so much of your wages and they have to find other sources of income. Welcome to socialism.

Its VAT and handling charges - HM Customs charge pretty much 25%.

Because it's a smack on the wrist for buying from America

they probably said TAX and not VAT, the TAX is import tax/airport tax.

Look at the letter you got. Is there a phone number there? Call it and ask.

HMRC works out the cost of the item based on a different scale to a straight exchange rate. The handling charge is usually listed separately. For items delivered by ParcfelForce, there is a fixed fee of 拢13.50.

拢14.00 is VAT the rest is a handling charge. Perfectly normal (a bit of a shock the first time it happens to you).