question for British colleagues

[Allison Anderson]

Hello,

I need some help/advice from somebody in the UK.  I recently sent 2
shipments of preserved specimens to museums in England, and my shipper
(Airborne Express) charged me Import VAT and something called "Deferment
Use" for the insured amount.  The shipping label and package were clearly
marked "Preserved Scientific Specimens--No Commercial Value."  My question
is, aren't scientific specimens exempt from such import duties?

If someone could send me the citation for the rule or regulation, I'd be
very grateful.  For example, a US import could claim exemption under the
U.S. Customs Harmonized Tariff Schedule subchapter 9810.00.70, which
specifies that wild animals sent between scientific institutions for
scientific use are duty-free.

Thanks in advance,
Allison Anderson

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Allison Anderson
Collection Manager, Texas Natural History Collection
Texas Memorial Museum, University of Texas
PRC 176/10100 N. Burnet Rd.
Austin, Texas 78758 USA
aaa at mail.utexas.edu
(512) 471-8845