Hi, looking to buy some mail order goodies from the USA. Do I need to pay any taxes on the goods coming into the UK??
Yes.
Yes. VAT, import duty and handling charge for courier/customs. (you may however get lucky and fly under the radar, I never have though from USA)
Thought ther must be a catch:! priced up a joplin 4 seat post deliverd for £100!
Maybe not much of a good buy after payin the taxes
All depends on what they put on the customs declaration form on your parcel. I normally ask them to put 'warranty return' and get away with nowt (although both they and you would be breaking the law).
Yeah, can be marked 'gift' also, but most won't do it.
I got taxed on a Leatherman Charge - still made it a hell of a lot cheaper than buying it from the UK though.
Maybe not much of a good buy after payin the taxes
The taxes in themselves won't make it more expensive, just a less attractive proposition. Any increase is likely to be carriage charges.