GIFT PARCELS FROM AMERICA
SIR,—It would be very helpful for many of us here in the United States if certain matters regarding gift parcels could be clarified. I and many of my friends send parcels regularly to friends and relatives in Britain— food and used clothing mostly. As far as I can make out, whether or not duty is charged on parcels is entirely dependent upon the mood of the customs official. If his breakfast has disagreed with him or he has a hangover, then the unfortunate recipient of much-needed used clothing pays duty. Very few people will tell one when duty has been charged, and one hesitates to send parcels to some people because they can ill afford to pay the tax. A friend of mine, who sent some much-needed warm used clothing to a crippled woman in very poor circumstances, heard, quite by accident, that this woman had had to pay duty.
To us over here it seems as if the Labour Government is going out of its way to make things harder: We are aware that " austerity " is necessary but we feel, that every parcel sent to' an individual helps everyone. Those of my friends and relatives to whom I send sharelwith
others and what they do not need is given to those who do need the things. We feel it is fair enough to charge duty on new articles or luxury items, but we are more than indignant that the used clothing parcels are subject to the whim of some petty customs official. I myself have elderly friends living on very small incomes to whom I send parcels, and it would be a real hardship for them to pay duty and, in fact, if I thought they had to I would hesitate to send them anything. In short, Sir, the feeling is that by sending food and clothing to our friends we are helping the country as a whole, and we feel that it is most ill-advised and unfair to make it so difficult for us to share our bounty with those to whom we owe so much. We have heard all the arguments—black market, &c.—but they aren't good enough. At the very least let the Government make up its mind (if it has one) whether used clothing is to be dutiable or not so that we may know where we are.—Yours truly,
B. KRANKE.
1277 Parkview Avenue, Pasadena 2, California.
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