Buying a gift for a fashion-savvy friend can be tricky. You want to find something that they’ll love but isn’t already in their wardrobe. 

Luckily, we’ve put together a list of some great gift ideas from retailers abroad that our fashion-forward team is really loving right now.

Plus, we’ll explain how you can get a refund on any customs charges you might have paid for the gift if, for any reason, you need to return it. Read on for some great gift ideas and helpful tips.

Gift ideas for true fashionistas 

Having a fashion lover amongst your friends can be a challenge – especially if they prefer luxury or hard-to-find items. Retailers from abroad can sometimes offer something a little different than ones in the UK, so we’ve prepared a little international list of must-have pieces for this season. 

There is something for all budgets and styles. Whatever you choose to enrich their wardrobe, we’re positive you’ll make them smile!

Coltorti – SELF PORTRAIT, Ribbed lace-insert top

This is a top that will make heads turn. This intricate ribbed lace-insert top from SELF PORTRAIT has a sweetheart neckline and puffed sleeves – great for the next girl’s night out or dinner date. 

Coltorti – SKY HIGH FARM, Recycled cotton sweater

We also have a few gift ideas for men. If you know somebody with a casual or fresh style, they’ll definitely love this SKY HIGH FARM sweater. It’s a lightweight, solid colour with subtle detail on the back. 

BLAZE MILANO – Mid-Day Sun Pine Everyday Blazer

This fabulous, chic, and slightly unusual blazer is a perfect gift for fashionistas looking for a bit of a twist in their day-to-day fashion. With the tortoiseshell buttons and rounded pockets, it’s an easy one to dress up or down. 

MYTHERESA – SAINT LAURENT, Uptown small leather tote bag

Shoulder bags are always in, and this Saint Laurent bag gives us all the feels. Its peachy-beige colour makes it easy to match any outfit and comes with a detachable envelope pouch. 2 in 1!

MYTHERESA – THOM BROWNE, Leather tablet holder

Thom Browne is an American designer known for his modernised approach. This men’s leather bag is crafted in Italy. It has a subtle and urban design, with a tri-colour tab. Perfect for the understated “uomo”. 

LA REDOUTE – LA REDOUTE COLLECTION, Leather Slouch Knee-High Boots

If your friend is a fan of French fashion and brands, they’ll love La Redoute. No doubt they’ll also be drooling over these leather, knee-high boots. They come in black and are perfect for work or play.

LA REDOUTE – GEOX, New Damon breathable loafers in leather

La Redoute also has a wide selection for men. These leather Geox black loafers look as good as they feel. Massively versatile, they’re great for an evening stroll or a morning commute. 

How did shopping from abroad change after Brexit?

UK citizens and permanent residents have always been liable for paying customs charges on all goods worth more than £135 purchased or received from abroad, but before the Brexit transition period, Europe was exempt. Now that the UK has left the EU, the rules and customs charges are the same for every country. 

These customs charges include customs duty, import VAT, and handling fees. 

Customs duty is a tax charged on goods imported into the UK from abroad. The rate depends on the type, value, and origin of the items. 

Another refundable fee is import VAT. The import VAT rate is 20% of the total value of your order. There are no exceptions when it comes to paying import VAT. If your parcel exceeds £135, you’ll have to pay this tax regardless of where the goods come from.

A handling fee is charged by the courier companies for their customs handling services. The amount depends on the courier delivering the parcel. Bear in mind that this fee is non-refundable.

How has receiving a gift from the EU changed after Brexit?

Brexit also introduced some changes for gifts coming from abroad. If you don’t cover the import charges yourself, the person you’re gifting will have to pay them to receive the gift, so be careful!

Here are the threshold values.

Gifts above £39 are subjected to import VAT. If the value of the gift exceeds  £135, import duty kicks in as well. Also, special rates apply for gifts worth over £630. 

So, for instance, if you decide to buy your friend a £200 pair of earrings for their birthday, they will need to pay the courier roughly £50 in customs fees to receive it. 

How to calculate UK customs charges?

The amount of customs charges you need to pay typically depends on the value and type of the goods you have ordered. 

You can use our customs duty calculator to check an estimated amount before your parcel arrives. In a few seconds, you’ll get a breakdown of customs charges.

Here’s how it looks for an example above:

How to return a gift received from abroad?

If you need to return a gift, we recommend checking with the person who gave you the gift as well as the retailer’s return policy first. This way, you’ll know what to expect and whether or not you’ll be responsible for paying for return shipping.

Remember that if the gift was purchased from an EU retailer, EU customers’ rights apply. Our guide on customer rights covers everything you need to know about returning items, so be sure to check it out before you start the process.

That way, you’ll know exactly what your rights are and what to expect from the retailer.

To save you some time, we’ve summarised the returns policies of two European retailers UK shoppers love. 

Coltorti’s return policy

Their return policy is a bit long on paper but actually quite straightforward. 

You may return your goods within 14 days of delivery if they do not meet your expectations (i.e. do not fit, are faulty, or you simply do not like them). 

If the goods are faulty, they may require photographic evidence to determine whether you are eligible for a return and to receive full reimbursement for import fees and shipping. 

What rules do you need to follow to return the goods: 

  • The goods need to be adequately packed in their original packaging and in a perfect state of resale (not damaged), equipped with all the relevant accessories (for example, boxes, bags, belts, and more) and documentation.
  • There cannot be any evidence of use, meaning the items you have purchased should not have been worn, just tried on. They have to be ready for resale if they didn’t arrive faulty. 
  • The tag and warranty seal has to be attached. This falls under the mandatory return conditions. If your return item doesn’t comply with the retailer’s return policy and is not eligible for a resale, Coltorti reserves the right to refuse the return request. The cost of returns is the same as shipping and varies according to geographical area. 

How to return your goods:

  • Click the CREATE RETURN button and fill out the complete form. If you wish for your return to be picked up by the courier at your home, you can choose the day and time slot. Ensure your personal information, such as phone number and email, is correct because the courier will contact you to confirm the pick-up. You must choose a day for pick up within seven working days from the return’s label creation date.
  • Click the “PRINT SHIPPING LABEL” button to download the return label to be printed and attach it to the package. You can use the same or a different box. Just make sure it is secured.

It is important to note that the pick-up address can be different from the delivery address. However, it must be in the same country as the delivery address. For example, the pick-up address can be a DHL Parcel Depot.

If the return request goes through, you will receive a return authorisation email with the tracking link to track your package. You will receive an email notification when their warehouse receives the returned goods.

It is important to note that they recommend using DHL for their return. 

MYTHERESA return policy

MYTHERESA has a slightly different return policy than Coltorti. According to their website, you can return your items within 30 days after receiving them. 

Here are the steps you need to follow when returning items through DHL or UPS:

  • Using the returns and exchanges form, please indicate which item(s) you would like to return and the reason for the return.
  • Fill out which item(s) you wish to return in the original packaging, if any.
  • Secure the return label to the package and ensure that the package is sealed correctly, so the contents do not get damaged. 
  • When returning a parcel through DHL, you can drop off your package at the nearest depot or schedule for the courier to pick it up. Please call the number provided on your returns document for UPS returns to arrange a pick-up or find your nearest drop-off depot.
  • Once the retailer has received the returned item(s), they will confirm your refund as soon as it has been processed.

For an exchange, please get in touch with their Customer Care team to reserve the new desired size and follow the abovementioned steps. Once MYTHERESA has received and processed your return, they will ship the exchanged item(s).

RETURN CONDITIONS

  • If you wish to return an item, it has to be in its original condition. This means the item shouldn’t have been worn, altered, or washed and has the original tags still attached. Please include all items that came in the box, including dust bags, with your return.
  • You will have one free return for each order. This means you must return all the goods in the same parcel unless you want to pay for the shipping. 
  • You must use the same delivery service as the original delivery (DHL or UPS) when returning imported goods.
  • You can only make returns from the country where the parcel was shipped initially. 
  • You cannot return customised items. 
  • A refund can only be credited back to your original card. 
  • If your items come in separate parcels, carefully pack them in their original packaging. Ensure to use individual labels for each parcel.

EXCHANGE CONDITIONS

  • MYTHERESA can only exchange non-faulty items in their original condition. They must not have been worn, altered, or washed. They must have all tags still attached. Please include all item boxes and dust bags with your return.
  • You can only exchange an item for a different size. They cannot exchange items for a different colour or a different item altogether.
  • Merchandise must be returned in one parcel. The retailer reserves the right to refuse multiple returns from one order sent at different times.
  • Exchange shipments must be made using the same service as the original delivery (DHL or UPS).
  • They can only accept exchanges from the country where an order was originally shipped. 
  • You cannot exchange products from the LIFE category – home decorations. 

If you’d like to learn more about international retailers, check out our guides on Amazon and eBay’s Return Policy.

Reclaim customs charges with Duty Refunds

So, you’ve returned a gift to a seller abroad. What now?

Once yor return has been processed, you’ll be eligible to reclaim the import taxes you have paid.

And that process is even easier! Our experts handle everything for you, saving your time and allowing you to focus on more important things.

All you have to do is fill out the form on our website. If you’re eligible for a refund, we’ll reach out and ask for your tracking number. 

From that moment, we’ll take care of everything.

Your only job is to sit back and relax! 

Your claim will be processed in three to six weeks. We’ll charge a 15% fee for our service, and the amount will simply be deducted from the refund. 

If your claim is denied, we won’t charge anything! 

Key takeaways

Finding something special for that someone special in your life doesn’t have to be long or complicated. We hope that our list of gift ideas and tips saved you time and helped you understand how to order something from abroad.

Hopefully they’ll love anything you buy them, but just in case not, the returns process doesn’t have to be a hassle. Plus, you might be eligible for a refund of import charges. We simplify the process to save you the time and stress of dealing with HMRC. 

All you have to do is to fill out our online form. Now sit back and relax; your refund is on its way!