iPhoto Book - Apple cheating UK Customs?

[Parky]

I recently ordered an iPhoto book from Apple.

Total cost £50.85 ($100) including :-

Cost of book - £37.79 ($75)
Shipping - £5.49 ($11)
TAX - £7.57 ($15)

When the package arrived there is a customs sticker on the front (as the book shipped from Germany) that states the contents Photos, Printed Matter - Value is $18.99.
The sticker has been stamped as 'Primary Customs Cleared' by the Royal Mail.

Now something does not look right here.
The actually value of the contents (i.e. what I paid for it) is $75 NOT $18.99.

What is the reason for the difference? Could it be that Apple are cheating UK Customs by not declaring the real value of the contents? If they stated the real value we would be liable for VAT and Import Duty. Does this mean I am cheating UK Customs.

Either way, this is not right!!

Ian

 

[bentley]

Materials cost might be $18.99.


However seeing as there is no import charge within the EU there is no need to cheat the customs.

 

[Cromulent]

Do you really think that Customs would let a company like Apple get away with that? I've been involved with Customs in the past at my old job and let me tell you there is no cheating them.

Plus if I remember correctly they are shipped from Ireland which means there is no import duty anyway (EU).