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I ordered a bedding kit online from Brownells UK which with carriage came to around £32.00. I just got a card delivered by the Post Office saying they won't release the parcel unless I pay £29.65 Customs Duty, which includes an £8.00 Handling charge - that's still £21.95 duty on a total consignment costing only £32.00! As far as I was concerned these goods were being delivered from the UK. I certainly won't take the risk of buying from them again.

That doesn't sound correct. Brownells UK website says:

"DELIVERY SCHEDULE

All orders are shipped from Brownells in the USA, normally we achieve 5-7 working days delivery from dispatch but we ask to allow 7-10 in case of issues.

Unfortunately the UK shooting market is too small to hold over 60,000 products in stock, therefore we have to ‘drop ship’ from Brownells in the USA (this is done for all the European Partners, Brownells France Germany etc). All prices include duty, vat and excise."

You may be charged the handling fee, but duty should be included in the price you pay Brownells. Suggest you call them and check.

Agreed. Speak to Brownells UK - they will sort it out.

I had this problem with something unrelated to shooting,
the charges are likely £8 to the post office and the rest
is likely the charge for un and re packing the goods for
inspection not a customs duty as such, not that this helps much.
It was still worth it but has cured me of buying from abroad.

I have just recieved a parcel from Brownells there were no extra charges.

Obviously a clerical error on Brownells' part as the import duty etc. is included in the purchase price.
If by now you have taken delivery of the part you're entitled to reclaim the excess duty paid.

Anything over £18 from abroad (outside of the EU) is liable to import duty and the Royal Mail have been charged with collecting it as point of contact - charging £8 to hold it and drop their little card through the letterbox. What really enrages me is that import duty is also levied on the cost of postage.

So an item £18 in value is fine but an item £18.50 is going to cost you 20% on the item value, 20% on postage plus an £8 dunked on top. That's excessive.

Since when do Brownells ship from us direct? Usually is import to them then shipped to you

I have had stuff from them before that was send from the states, but I didn't have any additional charges.

Sounds like a mistake to me.

Sounds like grounds for a complaint.
The Royal Mail handling fee is a complete scam.

Sometimes we have little choice, I have just placed an order with the USA (Dillon) The item is quite a lump and yes I could have made it however it would have taken days and life is too short sometimes.

This is exactly why I started making things for myself, the shipping and duty when added to the USA price makes things really quite pricey and yes I know you can fly to America or use a shipping drop mail box or ask a mate however not all of us are lucky enough to be in such a position.