VAT is 17.5% (not 17%) at least here in the UK!

From what I read of complaints though it is not simply a matter of the import duties themselves but the speed at which the carrier processes this and also the fees they charge for doing so. This is a separate issue to the legality realities.

And I think that James misses the point regarding where to buy. If I want a Newsome or a Tewkesbury because of the delighted responses and reviews I have read on X Marks (or seen being worn somewhere like Ferintosh!) I cannot follow that formula. Conversely the same applies when someone across "the pond" wishes to have a sample of Scottish craftmanship and/or wishes to avail themselves of the X Marks discount offered by Scotweb for example, then it isn't so easy. Many of us like to source kilts from different countries besides our own for varying reasons - how else would I have got my Maple Leaf for instance?